The Fair Housing Center of Northern Alabama is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, promoting open and diverse communities, and ensuring equal access to affordable housing opportunities for all people in Northern Alabama. FHCNA activities include education, advocacy, and enforcement of fair housing laws.
Title: Fair Housing Specialist I (Testing Coordinator)
Position Description: Testing is a method of measuring and documenting differences in treatment experienced by home-seekers. The Testing Coordinator is responsible for administering the agency's testing program as well as advocating for home seekers who have experienced housing discrimination. The testing Coordinator's primary duty is planning, coordinating and evaluating fair housing testing investigations, recruiting and managing testers.
Minimum Requirements: B. A. and/or experience in relevant fields such as housing and/or civil rights
Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Testing Coordinator include but are not limited to: Tester Recruitment, Training and Management:
- Conduct community outreach and related strategies to provide information about Fair housing rights, gain support for the project and recruit fair housing testers
- Organize and conduct tester trainings utilizing approved methodologies for testing for possible housing discrimination. Coordinate tester schedules to ensure availability to complete assignment.
- Develop and implement initiatives that engage and otherwise encourage tester retention
- Recruit and maintain a diverse pool of fair housing testers.
- Coordinate systemic audits, and complaint-based tests
- Ability to operate a personal computer and conduct research via the Internet; proficiency
- Coordinate fair housing tests by assigning appropriate, qualified and trained testers, designing the tests using approved methodology, debriefing the testers, maintaining and evaluating test data, and reporting test results.
- Maintain detailed case records; prepare and present accurate and reliable summaries of findings, recommendations and relevant statistical data.
- Develop a working knowledge of mapping software and other methods to identify sites for systemic fair housing investigations
Additional Responsibilities
- Create and update tester training and reporting materials as necessary
- Research property owners, tax records, corporate ownership, and other related items as necessary to design appropriate test
- Provide testimony, if needed, at a deposition or at trial regarding testing investigations
- Identify emerging issues and develop testing programs to appropriately address them
- Keep informed of developments in federal, state, and local laws, regulations, guidelines, and court cases
- Share in organization's development and administrative tasks and events as needed
- Maintain data systems, meticulous records of testing activities, and prepare periodic reports
- Assist with document preparation in legal proceedings as require
- Attend appropriate training for fair housing/ other skills
- Attend community meetings to recruit potential fair housing testers and network with other community groups for referrals and testers
- Other projects as determined by the Executive Director.
Qualifications:
Passionate commitment to fair housing and civil rights; Ability to engage in constructive approaches to persistent problems of discrimination and segregation.
- Ability to strategize, plan and implement programmatic initiatives
- Outstanding project management skills; ability to set priorities, manage multiple tasks meet deadlines
- Ability to work independently and to support team efforts
- Commitment to above and beyond to meet all contractual deadlines
- Experience in working effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds skill in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
To Apply: Please send cover letter explaining your interest, experience, writing sample, resume and a list of three references to: Fair Housing Center of Northern Alabama, c/o The Executive Director, 1820 7th Avenue North - Suite 110, Birmingham, AL 35203 or email us at jbetts@fhcna.com. Background check will be required.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
