About Community Solutions

Community Solutions is a non-profit organization that works to achieve a lasting end to homelessness that leaves no one behind. We envision a more equitable future where homelessness is never inevitable or a way of life, for anyone. Since 2015, we have led Built for Zero, a movement of more than 100 cities and counties using data to radically change how they work and the impact they can achieve — and proving that it is possible to make homelessness rare and brief. Nearly half of these communities have reduced homelessness and 14 have ended veteran or chronic homelessness. To help communities equitably and sustainably end homelessness, we are also testing strategies that can address gaps in housing, disrupt inflow into homelessness, and produce more racially equitable housing and homelessness systems.

Position Overview:

Community Solutions (CS) is seeking an experienced, self-motivated and organized individual to join the Built for Zero team to manage our internal data analytics strategy. This position reports to the Strategy Lead, Data Products, a team responsible for using data and technology to deliver actionable insights to internal staff and communities in the Built for Zero movement alike.

This role would lead our strategy for Data Analytics with Built for Zero staff as the primary customer. This position would use data we collect from communities, data we collect during program administration, and publicly available datasets to help Built for Zero to understand our own performance and developments in homelessness nationally.

This position is primarily built around data analysis and data visualization by using business intelligence tools and/or basic programming environments, but there are opportunities to engage with other disciplines such as: web development, UX/UI design, and process automation, among others. The Data Products team aims to provide a collaborative, supportive environment that encourages learning through new approaches.

The candidate of our dreams is passionate about using technology to drive quality improvement. A dream candidate is also passionate about enabling users to accomplish new things with data. A candidate with a love for learning, a desire for collaboration, and a clear voice for communication will succeed well here.

Defining Success for this Position:

• Built for Zero has a cohesive, high-functioning data ecosystem: our team can easily access the data they need and are confident in data quality
• Continue to develop our insight into BfZ program performance and recommendations for improvement through the use of analysis, statistical methods, and/or visualization
• Tools are accessible and designed with the user in mind
• Support continuous improvement of systems, ensuring BfZ staff are empowered to make data-driven decisions

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement and oversee internal data analysis across all BfZ teams.
• Participate as a full member of the Strategy and Evaluation Leadership Team, assisting with strategy and decision-making.
• Lead development of tools, web apps, and/or visualizations that solve emergent measurement challenges for internal staff, our partners, and our funders.
• Support the design and continuous improvement of data systems that empower Built for Zero and our partners to analyze data and track and improve performance including:
  • Continued design, implementation, and administration of data systems
  • Development and implementation of new data collection and validation processes
  • Automation of data analysis and integrations
  • Improvements to data extraction/collection tools and systems that reduce the work staff have to do to access insights
  • Strengthening of integrations so that information automatically flows between these data systems
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis to inform learning.
• Co-develop and share clear training materials and processes for communities, partners, and internal staff.
• Create products (written documents, visualizations, etc.) for internal or external publication
• Lead a team of data analysts, data scientists, and/or visualization specialists either as a direct manager or as a project lead to further develop our internal analytics

Other Duties:

• Serve as backup to the Community Product Strategy Lead and/or Director of Strategy and Evaluation, as needed.
• Contribute to team discussions around how to collect, prepare, and interpret information to support learning across the organization
• Ongoing evaluation of Built for Zero against strategic plan aims, in coordination with the Director of the Strategy and Evaluation department.
• Support continued development of knowledge management systems, CRMs, etc.
• Plan for and manage the budget for team-related expenses, if applicable.
• Present summary reports, presentations and findings to both internal and external audiences.
• Other duties, as assigned, to advance the efforts of Built for Zero.

Key Knowledge and Skill Areas

• The ideal candidate will have demonstrated an ability to achieve results using at least two critical problem-solving competencies:
  • The use of data for process improvement
  • The ability to communicate insights into data using technology (SQL reports, Python scripts, PowerBI dashboards, etc)
• In addition to these critical competencies, the strongest candidates may also possess deep content knowledge in at least some of the following areas:

• Housing and homelessness policy
• Data Visualization
• Statistics
• UX/UI Design
• Software Development (in any capacity)
• System Administration
• Facilitating requirements gathering

Qualifications

• Strong critical thinking and the ability to engage with complex challenges and datasets is a requirement for this position; a college degree is not required to apply for this position.
• At least one year of experience directly supervising dedicated staff
• Skilled in data analytics, data visualization, and/or data science with relevant work or academic experience
• Experience with at least one scripting/programming language or other data prep tool (Python, JavaScript, R, SQL, SAS, etc.).
• Experience with Salesforce or other customer relationship management tools (CRMs).
• Working knowledge of business intelligence tools (i.e., Tableau, Power BI, etc.), SQL databases, and spreadsheet software
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Enthusiasm for learning new software, systems, and processes.
• Spreadsheet pro with experience figuring out how to structure organized, easy-to-read data tables.
• Experience with Tableau or other business intelligence tools is a plus.
• Familiarity with homeless services is a plus.
• At least three years of previous work experience.
• Passion for justice, equity, ending homelessness and the belief it is possible.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment and demonstrate a willingness to shift easily between various responsibilities with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills, as evidenced by leading projects to successful and measurable completion.
• Non-traditional candidates welcome. Community Solutions strives for representation and authentic inclusion of applicants and employees who have direct, first-hand experience with poverty, homelessness, and their root causes (including racism, marginalization, discrimination, and all forms of inequity).

Software/Apps Used

• Data storage and management
  • PostgreSQL
  • Salesforce
• Business intelligence tools
  • Meta base
  • Tableau Server
• Project management
  • Google Suite
  • Asana
  • Slack
• Data prep and visualization
  • Python, JavaScript
  • Tableau Desktop / Prep
• Web development
  • HTML / CSS
  • JavaScript
  • Svelte
  • Observable Framework

Salary Range:

This position is grant-funded for two years with potential for renewal.

CS offers competitive salaries and benefits packages for every position. Salary range for this position is $90.841-$115,617.

Work Environment:

This position can be located anywhere in the U.S. and provides the flexibility to work from a remote location without the standard support available at an office if desired. The Built for Zero team has offices in Los Angeles and New York.

Travel Requirements

Up to 5 days of travel per month may be required to attend semi-annual team retreats, community visits, and other on-site trainings or convenings.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We strive for inclusivity and diversity by attracting extraordinary people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We seek to employ an all-star team of people who vary by their race and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, age, culture, religion, veteran status, physical and mental abilities. We promote equal opportunity in the recruitment, selection, training, compensation, promotion, and benefits of all employees.

COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate:

COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all Community Solutions staff—full-time, part-time, and contracted. Vaccination documentation must be provided to Community Solutions. Vaccination information is completely confidential between the staff member and HR.