Closing Date: 5th November, 2026
Description:
General Job InformationJob Summary:
This position is located in the Department of Housing and Community Development, (DHCD), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). OGC provides comprehensive legal services on a wide range of affordable housing development, finance and compliance issues for the programs administered by DHCD. These program areas include the Housing Production Trust Fund, the Housing Preservation Fund, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program (DHCD is the District's tax credit allocating agency), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development housing and economic development assistance programs, Inclusionary Zoning, Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, District Opportunity to Purchase Act, rent control, homebuyer assistance, condominium structural warranty claims and loan portfolio and asset management.
The incumbent is responsible for representing DHCD in affordable housing finance transactions and property acquisitions and dispositions. The incumbent advises the agency on legal issues pertaining to affordable housing policies, programs and initiatives. The incumbent reviews and drafts an array of legal documents for the affordable housing and community development programs DHCD administers. In addition, the incumbent also makes determinations on applications for nonprofit affordable housing developer tax abatement, drafts legislation and rulemakings.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides legal advice and support to DHCD program Staff related to affordable housing finance transactions, including loans, grants, acquisitions, and dispositions of real property, to advance agency housing goals. Negotiates and drafts loan documents, purchase and sale agreements, and other transactional and ancillary documents consistent with approved deal terms and projects schedules.
Represents DHCD's interests in meetings with developers, lenders, and other project financing partners, and assists in resolving legal issues arising during project development and closing. Supports and manages project finance closings by coordinating due diligence, reviewing closing documents, and providing guidance to legal support staff regarding closing requirements.
Qualifications and Education:
Must possess a LLB or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment. Applicants must have at least two (2) years of post J.D. professional legal experience.
Applicants with at least two (2) years full-time legal experience, advising and representing lenders, developers or investors in complex affordable housing finance or commercial real estate finance transactions are preferred. Specialized experience representing clients in affordable housing finance deals that included LIHTC as a project source is Preferred.
Preferred applicants should have specialized experience negotiating and drafting real estate finance documents, affordability covenants, purchase and sale agreements, loan modifications and intercreditor and subordination agreements. Experience negotiating and drafting ground leases is preferred. Applicants with an in-depth knowledge of tools used to create affordable housing, to include, affordability covenants, LIHTC, ground leasing, tax abatements and housing vouchers preferred. Applicants must be skilled in interpreting and applying legal principles and must exercise sound judgment in providing advice.
Licenses and Certification
Must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service. If eligible for waiver, the incumbent must submit an application for admission to the District of Columbia Bar prior to commencing employment.
Work Environment/Conditions
Work is performed in an office environment.
Other Significant Facts:
Applicants must submit a legal writing sample in order to be considered for this position.
Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM (Subject to change)
Pay Plan, Series, Grade: LA-0905-13
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in a collective bargaining unit.
Position Designation: This position has been deemed Security Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, incumbents must successfully pass a criminal background and consumer credit check as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing, and post-accident or incident drug and alcohol testing for the duration of their tenure.
Residency Preference: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.
