LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors seeks a full-time Real Estate Policy and Analysis Fellow to support our national coalition of smart growth developers and investors advocating for sustainable, equitable, and walkable development in America’s cities and towns. LOCUS is a program of Smart Growth America, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization working to improve everyday life for people across the country through better planning and development.

Position Description

The ideal Real Estate Policy and Analysis Fellow is a highly motivated and creative individual with excellent writing, research, analytical, and organizational skills and a demonstrated interest in national politics, smart growth, and real estate.

This person will assist in research and analysis projects, conduct quantitative analyses regarding a wide range of issues associated with housing, real estate, and transportation, and develop evidence-based policy tools and materials to support LOCUS’ membership and advocacy efforts. They will also provide day-to-day administrative support and coordinate logistics associated with event planning.

Applicants should be dependable team players who can perform regular duties while also offering new ideas for how to make our work better. This position reports to Smart Growth America’s Vice President for Land Use and Development and the Director of LOCUS.

Responsibilities

The Real Estate Policy and Analysis Fellowship will provide many opportunities for utilizing and mastering a diverse skill set. Position responsibilities include:

• Researching and contributing to case studies, tools, presentations, and reports related to real estate, affordable housing and transit-oriented development.
• Conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses of real estate development and investment strategies, markets, performances, and trends.
• Tracking federal, state, and local legislative developments, assessing their effects on LOCUS’ policy goals, and drafting summaries and advocacy materials for coalition members.
• Producing original content for LOCUS’ blog and monthly newsletter.
• Coordinating logistics to support the development and planning of LOCUS events, webinars, and workshops.
• Assisting with LOCUS membership recruitment and other branding and coalition-building activities.

Requirements

• Demonstrated and genuine interest in real estate, planning, and development issues and in changing America’s built environment and policy landscape. Candidates should have at least a Bachelor’s degree. Educational or work experience in real estate or a closely related field is preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and efficiently manage multiple assignments with minimal supervision and to learn on the job when necessary.
• Strong written and oral communications capabilities.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize, and present large amounts of information and data in a succinct and meaningful manner.
• Experience with ESRI’s ArcGIS and/or Microsoft Excel for data presentation and analysis; experience conducting impact analyses and running pro-formas is highly preferred.
• Strong work and team ethic; highly motivated and results-oriented.
• Basic understanding of HTML, Adobe Photoshop, and/or InDesign is a definite plus.

Compensation

This fellowship is a paid position. A monthly stipend will be provided. In addition, fellows will have six days of paid personal leave and paid leave on all federal holidays that occur within their tenure at Smart Growth America.

Timeframe and location

This fellowship is a full-time position based at Smart Growth America/LOCUS’ offices in Washington, DC. A commitment of six months is required. Candidates must be able to start immediately.

How to apply

Interested applicants should send a cover letter explaining their interest in the position, a one-page resume, three references, and two short writing or work samples to [email protected]. Please include "LOCUS Policy & Analysis Fellow" in the email subject line. In your cover letter, please indicate how you learned of this fellowship opportunity. Applications will be accepted immediately on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Equal opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at LOCUS and Smart Growth America. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.