Open Communities Alliance (OCA) is a Connecticut-based civil rights non-profit. We work to confront the state’s deep levels of residential segregation in order to provide low-income families of color access to opportunity, spur investment in Black and Latino communities, and counteract racial disparities. 

Position Overview

OCA seeks a Policy and Data Analyst to join our growing team.  This position is ideal for a mission- and data-driven advocate ready to assist with the development of research and policy recommendations that promote policies to counter the legacy of housing segregation.  The Policy and Data Analyst will also be deeply engaged in outreach and education in urban and suburban areas about the benefits of such policies as OCA continues to develop an urban-suburban interracial coalition to support its work.

Responsibilities

The Policy & Data Analyst will:

• Work as part of a collaborative team with the Executive Director and other staff  to guide the research and policy work of OCA.
• Manage multiple fair housing policy areas, including tracking major developments in those areas, conducting appropriate analysis, providing commentary, and generating creative and workable policy solutions
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research on existing or potential policies and their fair housing implications.
• Analyze and/or map data for various affordable housing programs, zoning, and other metrics as needed.
• Produce a variety of written products (such as reports, articles, or fact sheets) to reach a range of stakeholders
• Prepare comments or testimony on proposed legislation and/or rulemaking, in collaboration with other staff, on behalf of OCA.
• Present OCA research findings to colleagues, partners, and decision makers at educational events and community meetings.

Who we are looking for:

This is a full-time permanent position that includes a competitive benefits package. Occasional nights and weekends required. Strong preference for candidates who can be present in Connecticut for meetings and events and have connections to Connecticut communities.

Successful applicants will have the following characteristics: 

• Relevant work experience and a Master's Degree (or greater) in planning, economics, social work, public policy, or related field or a legal degree.
• Strong research, mapping, and data analysis skills.
• Experience with Google Sheets, Leaflet, Javascript, HTML/CSS, and Github preferred. Experience with or ability to learn other mapping software is a plus (ArcGIS, Tableau, Carto, etc.).
• Exceptional analytic, presentation, research, and written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with opportunity equity, civil rights, and fair and/or affordable housing issues.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Ability to rally support, spearhead initiatives and work as both a member of a dedicated team and as an independent self-starter.
• Excellent time management skills, ability to prioritize, work well and be collegial under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and drive, creative problem solver, high degree of professionalism, and a “can do” attitude.
• Passion for and demonstrated commitment to the mission and core values of OCA.
• Experience working with diverse communities across race, economic, ethnic, political and geographic differences.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to troubleshoot, multitask and manage several projects at once.
• Attention to detail is critical for this position.

The ideal candidate will operate with a strong equity and diversity lens, contributing to organizational values of objectivity, integrity, civility and diversity and supporting the inclusive culture of OCA.

If you are an experienced advocate and a strong leader who has a passionate belief that Connecticut must achieve greater equity and opportunity in housing - and if you want to work with a passionate, dynamic, and supportive team - we hope you will apply!

Salary & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience and is between $70,000 to $85,000 annually, with opportunity for advancement. OCA offers the option of a flexible schedule and hybrid working environment. OCA also offers excellent benefits, including medical and dental insurance (employees’ medical premiums are 100% paid by OCA and dependents’ 75%, while dental insurance premiums are 100% paid by the employee), 15 vacation days (increasing to 21 days after the first year), 15 sick days, 3 personal days, 2 flex-holidays and 11 standard holidays, along with, after the first six months, a 401K retirement plan with a 3% contribution from OCA regardless of employee contribution.

To Apply:

Please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Policy and Data Analyst” in the subject line. We will review applications on a rolling basis.

If you require a disability-related accommodation to submit your application, please email [email protected]. Otherwise, due to high volume we are unable to respond to queries about application status.

OCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. 

Research has shown that traditionally marginalized communities (people of color, people with disabilities, etc.) often don’t apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. If you think you can do this job but don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to still apply.

We seek to build diversity, equity and inclusion both within our organization and in partnership and allyship with the communities we serve.