Rental Housing Programs Manager

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. 

The City Administrator’s Office is responsible for the overall management and administration of the City of Santa Barbara, based upon the City Charter and the policy direction provided by the City Council. The Office of Housing and Community Vitality (OHCV) is a division of the City Administrator's Office and is chiefly responsible for programming related to Housing & Homelessness (affordable housing, homelessness and rental mediation), Downtown Services (parking), and Economic Development.

THE POSITION

The City is seeking an experienced and collaborative Rent Housing Programs Manager to lead the City’s newly established and integrated rental housing program and help advance effective, equitable, and legally compliant tenant and landlord protection services.

Under administrative direction, the Rent Housing Programs Manager oversees program staff, operations, contracts, and strategic initiatives related to residential rent stabilization, rental registry administration, short term rental administration, rental support and mediation, tenant and landlord education, regulatory compliance, and enforcement. The position serves as a key liaison to tenants, property owners, housing advocates, community organizations, legal service providers, and regulatory agencies, while providing direct staff support to the Rent Stabilization Board.

The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge of California landlord-tenant law, local rent stabilization and tenant protection ordinances, fair housing requirements, mediation and administrative hearing processes, public administration, and regulatory compliance. The role also requires demonstrated skill in policy development, data analysis, contract and budget management, community engagement, and supervision of professional and technical staff.

This is an opportunity for a thoughtful, solutions-oriented public-sector leader to manage a complex and highly visible program, develop sound policies and procedures, strengthen customer service and operational performance, and foster constructive relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.

Knowledge of:

• California residential landlord-tenant law, including the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), Civil Code sections governing rent, security deposits, and evictions, and applicable provisions of the California Code of Civil Procedure.
• Principles, practices, and legal frameworks of local rent stabilization ordinances, including rent adjustment methodologies, petition processes, just cause eviction protections, and Rental Registry administration.
• Principles and practices of mediation and alternative dispute resolution applicable to residential tenancy disputes.
• Federal, state, and local fair housing laws and regulations, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the federal Fair Housing Act.
• Principles and practices of public administration, including municipal budgeting, procurement, program evaluation, and performance measurement.
• Principles and practices of quasi-judicial administrative hearing procedures, due process requirements, and administrative adjudication.
• California Public Records Act and CCPA/CPRA requirements as applied to program records and data systems.
• Principles of public outreach, community engagement, and multilingual communication in diverse urban communities.
• Current technology platforms for rental registry administration, case management, and public-facing program portals.
• Principles of supervision, training, and personnel management.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying complex laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and administrative requirements.
• Analyzing complex regulatory, operational, policy, and administrative issues and developing effective solutions.
• Applying logic and reasoning to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions and recommendations.
• Planning, organizing, managing, and evaluating multiple programs and projects.
• Communicating effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Preparing and presenting clear and concise reports, recommendations, policies, procedures, and public information.
• Public speaking and presenting information to City Council, boards and commissions, community organizations, and members of the public.
• Managing complex and sensitive interactions involving tenants, property owners, advocates, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinating and monitoring the work of others.
• Managing budgets, contracts, program resources, and performance measures.
• Using data and information systems to evaluate program performance and support operational decision-making.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, manage, and evaluate the full range of activities of the Rental Housing Program.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex California statutes, local ordinances, and administrative regulations to diverse audiences, including tenants, landlords, elected officials, and the general public.
• Support facilitation of quasi-judicial hearing processes with procedural fairness, impartiality, and adherence to applicable legal standards.
• Develop implementing regulations, program policies, and administrative procedures that comply with applicable law and effectively advance program objectives.
• Prepare clear, well-organized staff reports, agenda materials, policy analyses, and public communications for City Council, the Rent Stabilization Board, and external audiences.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City leadership, elected officials, legal counsel, landlords, tenants, community organizations, and the general public.
• Manage complex budgets, track expenditures, and prepare accurate financial reports.
• Supervise, motivate, and evaluate professional and technical staff.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and legal frameworks and identify and resolve complex regulatory and legal issues.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; read and interpret complex legal and policy documents; analyze data; and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to attend public meetings, Board hearings, community events, and City Council sessions.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning, housing, economics, real estate, or a related field.

Education and/or Training:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in affordable housing programs, economic development, public administration, community development, regulatory compliance, rent stabilization, real estate, or a related field, including two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Desirable Experience: 

• Rental registry management
• Overseeing staff with administrative and regulatory enforcement responsibilities
• Regulatory compliance and administration
• Public policy development

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire. 

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam, performance exam, and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the City Administrator’s Office.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2026.

The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer - and we encourage all persons to apply