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Senior Community Development Officer - Housing
Island Institute
Marketing & Communications, Customer Service
Rockland, ME, USA
Posted on Apr 17, 2026
Position Summary:
The Senior Community Development Officer (CDO) for Housing advances Island Institute’s mission by strengthening the capacity of island and coastal communities to navigate housing challenges and to lead initiatives that expand housing opportunity and strengthen local capacity for housing development.
This role will work closely with municipalities, regional partners, housing developers, and community stakeholders to advance strategies that increase the supply, affordability, and sustainability of housing in the region.
The Housing Initiative Lead will support municipal partners in developing housing strategies, improving policies and processes related to housing development, and advancing projects that help communities meet their housing goals. The position requires strong collaboration, project management, and experience working with local governments and other housing stakeholders.
Qualifications Required:
- Advanced degree with 5 years’ experience with relevant content and technical expertise or a bachelor’s degree with 8-10 years’ experience with relevant content and technical expertise. Relevant expertise includes experience in housing, planning, community development, municipal government, or related fields.
- Demonstrated community development experience working directly with local governments, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies.
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including the direct supervision of employees.
- Strong skills related to convening, facilitation, project management, and strategy development.
- Excellent written, analytical, and communication skills.
- Comfort working at the intersection of community priorities, policy, and economic development.
- Commitment to the Island Institute’s mission and values.
Qualifications Preferred:
- Experience with affordable housing finance, housing development, or housing programs.
- Familiarity with zoning reform, housing production strategies, or municipal planning processes.
- Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration.
- Experience securing or managing grants and public funding programs.
- Knowledge of Maine communities and partner ecosystem.
Program Leadership and Strategy
- Lead Island Institute’s work focused on supporting communities in addressing housing challenges and coordinate internal resources to deliver impact in communities across the coast.
- Shape program strategy and identify emerging opportunities related to housing through deep engagement with communities and partners.
- Serve as a thought partner on issues affecting housing and coastal communities.
- Support partnerships between municipalities, developers, and community organizations to move housing projects forward.
- Strengthen regional coordination by building partnerships with councils of government, economic development districts, state agencies, and other technical assistance providers.
- Develop tools, templates, and guidance documents to support local housing initiatives as well as the sharing of replicable tools and frameworks for communities addressing housing challenges.
- Facilitate workshops, trainings, and peer learning opportunities for municipal leaders and staff.
- Build relationships with municipal leaders, housing developers, state agencies, community groups, and regional partners.
Financial and Program Management
- Manage housing-related work and projects from planning through implementation, including budgets, annual work planning/implementation, and grants to communities, in partnership with the Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer, other programmatic staff, finance, and philanthropy teams.
- Engage with philanthropy staff on proposal development and fundraising strategy, prepare reports, grant deliverables, and presentations for funders.
- Track progress toward housing goals and evaluate program outcomes.
Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Supervise staff and/or consultants, as appropriate.
- Coach team members and support professional growth.
- Model collaborative, values-driven leadership.
What we Offer:
- A benefits program to include health, dental, vision, company provided life insurance, and a 403b plan with an employer match of up to 6% after a year of service.
- A generous paid time off policy.
- 12 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays.
- Island Institute membership benefits.
- Hybrid work environment.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical demands: While performing the duties, of this job, the employee is required to sit, enter data using computer keyboard and mouse, stand, walk, bend over occasionally, and move about the office space as well as between building floors. On occasion, the employee may also need to travel by ferry to and from island communities and be able to get in and out of other watercraft. There is no requirement to lift and/or move weights of more than 15 pounds.
- Work environment: The noise level in the office work environment is usually minimal, but that of other venues and off-site locations may vary. There may be uneven terrain and variable weather conditions associated with off-site work.
The pay range for this position is $71,276-$99,807, based on experience. Most initial offers are made below the midpoint of the range and are based on factors such as relevant experience, skills alignment, and internal equity.
While there is no deadline for submitting your application, the application period will close when the position is filled. Contact Susan Haversat at shaversat@islandinstitute.org if reasonable accommodation is required to complete the application.