Job Description

Internship Opportunity In Development Services Department

Under the general direction of a departmental supervisor, assists in the administration and implementation of departmental initiatives and projects. This classification is intended to provide the incumbent with a broad exposure to organizational operations and the fields of affordable housing development, acquisitions, and finance.

The Development Services Department manages HACLA's key real estate activities across four functional areas: the redevelopment of HACLA's public housing communities into thriving, highly-amenitized, mixed-income and mixed-use neighborhoods; the acquisition of market rate apartment buildings and their conversion to income-restricted affordable housing; innovative partnerships with for-profit, non-profit, and other governmental organizations to expand the supply of affordable housing; and project finance, including bond issuance, and agency and conventional debt and equity financing.

HACLA has built a strong reputation for excellence; since 2020, HACLA has been one of the largest developers of affordable housing in the City of Los Angeles and has acquired nearly one billion dollars of property across the City. The Development Services Department has internship opportunities for graduate students and/or post-graduates interested in professional work in affordable housing. This internship opportunity provides hands-on experience in the Development Services Department through any of the following tasks or assignments: analyzing real estate transactions; preparing financial models and deal pro formas; managing development projects, including assisting with demolition and construction draws, and resident relocation activities; supporting competitive procurement; assisting with financing applications and escrow closing activities; researching and supporting financing, organizational, policy, and deal structure strategies to increase positive outcomes; and various research, support, administrative and analytical tasks as needed.

Examples of essential functions:

• Performs research on departmental concerns; gathers and analyzes data; prepares reports, white papers, procurement packages, policy documents and correspondence; assists in preparation and submission of grant applications, requests for proposals, and related activities.
• Creates presentations, slide decks, outreach and marketing materials, and assists with logistical planning efforts for internal and external meetings and events.
• Develops and maintains departmental systems, databases, records, and documentation; completes, types, copies, enters and/or files standardized documents.
• Interprets legislation, administrative orders, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Acts as liaison with other business units, departments, developers, community stakeholders, consultants and agencies to gather, analyze, and disseminate information.
• Reviews development drawings, technical reports for budget and design implications and provides structured feedback.
• Assists in preparing pro-forma modeling of development and acquisition deals
• Assists in creation of project schedules and supporting deal team in preparing for and follow up from weekly project calls.
• Assists in reviewing developer pro-formas, lender and investor term sheets.
• Assists in preparation of financing applications, escrow closing activities, construction draws, and related tasks.
• Researches and develops policies, procedures and programs related to real estate development, financing programs and strategies, and strategic operations.
• Assists with the long-range and short-term planning for HACLA's public housing sites, strategic operations, and other business units.
• Researches, compiles and reviews data collected for accuracy, and provides analysis and recommendations.
• Plans, sets up, attends and acts as administrative support at meetings.
• May be required to drive a vehicle to different sites and/or locations.
• Perform related work duties as assigned.

Minimum requirements: current enrollment in a post-secondary graduate program OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban studies, urban planning, real estate, economics, business, finance, government, or public administration, or a closely related field, supplemented by one (1) year of experience in real estate development, acquisitions, urban planning, or closely related field.

Special requirement: Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License at time of employment.

Of note: This is a temporary assignment, not to exceed 1,000 hours. The selected candidate will be required to put in approximately 20 hours per week during regular academic term and potentially work for 20-30+ hours per week during semester/trimester/quarterly breaks. The Department will determine the project assignments and duties for the selected candidate based on that applicant's strengths, interests, schedule, and Departmental needs. Interested Candidates should send a cover letter along with resume via email to Julie.mungai@hacla.org and apply on HACLA website @

Application process: Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education, and/or training. Applications must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation. Resumes may be included but may not be submitted in lieu of application content. Only the most-qualified applicants will be considered and may be invited to the interview and selection process.

Hiring information: All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment evaluation, which includes: a post-offer medical examination (includes drug and alcohol screening), criminal records check, employment history and education verification, and documentation of the right to work in the United States.

Disability accommodation: Testing accommodations: If you require an accommodation due to a physical, mental or learning disability, please call (213) 252-5400 or email Recruitment@hacla.org no less than 72 hours prior to testing date for special assistance. Special testing accommodations may be arranged if verification of the disability is provided by a physician, rehabilitation counselor, or other authority. Candidates who require a reasonable accommodation in any portion of the selection process should state their need in writing when submitting an application.

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