Fair Housing Specialist

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) is the City’s official civil rights agency. We enforce an important set of laws that prevent discrimination and promote equality. PCHR works to:

• Enforce anti-discrimination laws, especially the City’s Fair Practices Ordinance.
• Administer the Fair Chance Hiring law, which prevents discrimination against people with criminal records.
• Investigate complaints of discrimination and violations of civil rights laws.
• Resolve community conflicts through dialogue and other dispute resolution methods.
• Educate the public on their legal rights and responsibilities.
• PCHR is led by a nine-member commission, appointed by the mayor. This commission decides disputed complaints and conducts hearings to educate and inform the public.

PCHR works to make sure that everyone in Philadelphia has equal rights and opportunities.

Job Description

Essential Functions

Fair Housing Investigation and Testing:

• Coordinate and oversee a fair housing field testing program, including managing testers and organizing investigative activities.

• Conduct proactive fair housing tests in rental, sales, and appraisal bias, such as using diverse testers to detect discrimination.
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteer or stipend-based testers to ensure thorough assessments.
• Analyze testing outcomes and compile investigative reports for program assessment and potential legal actions.

Client Support and Case Management:

• Serve as a primary intake specialist for housing discrimination complaints, guiding individuals through fair housing remedies.
• Coordinate the complaint-to-hearing process, including managing cases, facilitating mediation, and providing support through resolution.
• Collaborate with the Fair Housing Commission to monitor complaint statuses and represent PCHR in relevant hearings.

Program Development and Data Management:

• Develop resources, such as topic-specific toolkits and self-advocacy guides, to support fair housing education.
• Maintain detailed records, analyze statistical data, and update the PCHR database with client interactions, case progress, and enforcement activities.
• Support grant reporting by compiling accurate data and performance metrics related to fair housing enforcement.

Outreach and Public Engagement:

• Educate community members on fair housing rights and resources by attending events and facilitating outreach sessions.
• Build and maintain networking relationships with local, state, and federal housing agencies and nonprofit organizations.
• Represent PCHR and the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana at meetings, events, and forums, promoting fair housing awareness.

Legal and Compliance Support:

• Conduct research on changes to fair housing regulations and administrative decisions to maintain compliance with the Fair Housing Act.
• Collaborate with legal professionals, as necessary, to provide detailed case insights and support ongoing investigations.
• Maintain confidentiality and safeguard client security at all times.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Fair Housing Laws and Regulations: In-depth knowledge of the Fair Housing Act and associated federal, state, and local housing laws, including recent developments in appraisal bias, source of income discrimination, and accessibility requirements.
• Civil Rights and Anti-Discrimination Principles: Understanding of civil rights protections, discrimination types, and case law relevant to fair housing practices.
• Investigative Techniques and Testing Protocols: Familiarity with field testing, demographic mapping, data collection, and evaluation techniques to detect and document housing discrimination.
• Community Resources and Housing Services: Awareness of available community resources, support services, and referral agencies that can assist clients facing housing discrimination.

Skills:

• • Analytical and Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze complex cases, interpret housing laws, and assess compliance with fair housing standards.
  • Investigation and Reporting: Competence in designing and conducting investigative processes, including planning, conducting interviews, coordinating testers, and compiling detailed, evidence-based reports.
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills for client intake, case management, outreach, and report writing, as well as the ability to effectively represent PCHR in public forums.
  • Organizational and Project Management: Proficiency in managing multiple cases, maintaining client files, coordinating testing teams, and meeting deadlines across simultaneous enforcement activities.

Abilities:

• • Independent and Collaborative Work: Ability to work independently to conduct investigations and manage cases while also collaborating effectively with community partners, stakeholders, and legal teams.
  • Client-Centered Problem Solving: Demonstrated empathy and patience in assisting individuals facing discrimination, with the ability to guide them through complex legal procedures.
  • Data Management and Confidentiality: Capacity to accurately record, maintain, and analyze data, with a high standard for maintaining client confidentiality and security.
  • Adaptability to Regulatory Changes: Ability to stay current with evolving fair housing regulations and practices, adjusting investigation and enforcement strategies as needed.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

A minimum of five years’ experience in fair housing, civil rights, or compliance-related fields is required, along with in-depth knowledge of the Fair Housing Act and issues like source of income discrimination and appraisal bias. Candidates should have strong organizational and analytical skills for managing investigations and reporting, as well as the ability to work independently while coordinating teams and building stakeholder relationships.

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, references.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000 

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx