Senior Research Associate - Hybrid/California in San Francisco, California at California Housing Partnership

Supervisor: Associate Research Director
Status: Full-Time, Non-exempt
Location: San Francisco (preferred). Los Angeles or Sacramento (considered)
Salary: $48.07 to $52.88 an hour (Annual equivalent: $100,000 to $110,000)
Application Deadline: June 29, 2026. Or until position is filled.

This is a hybrid position that requires a minimum of one day per week in the office.

ABOUT THE ROLE
A person in the Senior Research Associate (SRA) role should have experience in multifamily affordable housing research and policy or technical experience in a similar field with skills that can be applied to the housing sector. SRAs provide support to the Research and Policy Advocacy Teams and assist with 1) helping design and implement key research, policy analysis, and program evaluation efforts to improve federal, state, and local affordable housing policies and programs, and 2) adding to the technical capacity and experience base of the Research team. An SRA is expected to have experience that can inform the Partnership's policy and strategic political positions at the state and/or regional level, or experience that adds significantly to the Research Team's technical expertise.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research and author, co-author, and contribute writing and research to policy briefs, data tools, analyses, and articles.
• Develop and maintain Python-based workflows that automate data collection, cleaning, integration, quality assurance, and updates of large housing, demographic, economic, and geospatial datasets.
• Design, maintain, and document updates for the Partnership’s public-facing data tools, dashboards, and research products.
• Conduct quantitative and spatial analyses using Python, SQL, and/or GIS to evaluate housing affordability, housing need, preservation opportunities, and other policy issues.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of new quantitative and qualitative research methods to support our research agenda and in response to the needs of our partners.
• Respond to inquiries from government agencies, jurisdictions, nonprofit developers, and research institutions.
• Represent the Partnership through presentations to working groups, regional conferences, and other external settings.
• Provide data, technical assistance, and other information to the CEO and Director of Policy Advocacy to help the Partnership advance its policy agenda.
• Stay current with pertinent literature, developments, and data visualizations around issues of demographic change, housing supply, affordability, inequality, mobility, and equitable growth.
• Plan and execute segments of research/policy projects in consultation with and under the general supervision of senior staff.
• Perform routine administrative functions (e.g., submission of timesheets, participating in performance evaluations, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this position. We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives in our applicant pool, and will be seeking candidates who possess some combination of the following qualifications and experience:

• Experience in affordable housing quantitative research:
  • At least four (4) years of experience in affordable housing research, policymaking, or advocacy work, or substantially equivalent experience.
    • Bachelor's degree in a directly related field, such as public policy, political science, sociology, etc., may substitute for up to one (1) year of direct experience.
    • Master's degree in a directly related field, such as public policy, political science, sociology, etc., may substitute for up to two (2) years of direct experience.

• Commitment to addressing the housing needs of low-income Californians and advancing racial equity through housing policy and research.
• Intermediate Python (e.g. writing and editing code with little supervision, cleaning data in multiple data files, comparing variables within and between data files, etc.)
• Intermediate quantitative data analysis skills (e.g. cost analysis, regression analysis, etc.)
• Intermediate spatial analysis skills (ArcGIS or QGIS) (e.g., revising symbology of map layers, creating new variables within map layers, conducting overlay and buffer analysis of map layers, etc.)
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities, juggle multiple tasks, and meet assigned deadlines.
• Strong writing skills, including being able to conduct social science literature reviews, write up results for quantitative study results, and communicate with colleagues about project findings, issues, and methodologies.
• Intermediate Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (e.g. pivot tables, vlookup formulas, etc.)
• Able and willing to travel within California.

BENEFITS

The Partnership also offers a robust benefits package to all permanent employees working 20 or more hours per week, including:

• Medical Benefits:
  • 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 80% premium coverage for dependents
  • Medical waiver subsidy for employees who opt out of health insurance
  • Employer-paid Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) covering up to $1,200/year for out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Workplace Support:
  • Hybrid work model
  • Employer-funded Specialty Reimbursement Account of up to $500 for home office equipment in the first year and $250 annually thereafter
  • Cell phone and home internet reimbursement
  • Office commuter subsidy of up to $220 per month
• Financial Wellness:
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions based on years of service
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Time Off & Support:
  • Immediate paid time off (PTO) accrual and usage with no waiting period
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and personal support

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

The Partnership is a dynamic nonprofit “think and do tank” providing critical technical assistance, training, applied research and policy leadership to increase the production and preservation of affordable and sustainable homes serving Californians who are low-income.

To achieve this mission, the Partnership’s three technical assistance teams (finance, clean energy, applied research) work closely with a network of more than 60 mission-driven nonprofit and government housing agencies throughout California, as well as the nonprofit associations who represent them.

A deep commitment to racial equity and inclusion grounds the Partnership’s work and policies – click here to learn more about our core equity values. An Equity Policy Advisory Board ensures that the perspectives and experiences of low-income renters also grounds our work – click here to learn more about this board.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The California Housing Partnership is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage people of diverse backgrounds and identities to apply. For more information about the Partnership, visit our website at calhousingpartnership.org.