POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Rural Housing Development Fellow
Duration: 1-Year
Positions Available: 3
Independent Contractor
This fellowship position is not a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) position. The Rural Housing Development Fellowship is administered through an independent contracting arrangement and is fully separate from WEDC employment, operations, benefits, payroll, and organizational oversight.
Host Organizations/Locations:
- NeighborWorks Green Bay- 437 S Jackson St, Green Bay, WI 54301. Focus on rural Door County, WI
- Prosperity Southwest and Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission - 20 S. Court Street; Platteville, WI 53818
- Bayfield County- 117 E 5th Street Washburn, WI 54891
Engagement Structure: We are looking for a dedicated Independent Contractor for a year-long engagement, requiring a full-time, 40-hour per week commitment.
Fellowship Term & Compensation Term: 12-month fellowship term (independent contractor). Compensation: $75,000 total fellowship stipend, payable per fellowship agreement terms. Benefits: This fellowship does not include employee benefits, payroll withholding, or unemployment/workers’ compensation coverage. The fellow will also receive a $5,000 stipend for professional development training and travel to participate in events as part of the fellowship cohort.
Fellowship Overview: The Emerging Developer Fellowship is designed for an early-career professional who has completed education or training in housing, regional planning, real estate, or community development and is seeking hands-on experience supporting rural housing development initiatives. The Fellowship emphasizes applied learning, skill-building, and professional growth through a defined scope of project-based work.
Scope of Fellowship Activities: The Fellow will support multiple phases of affordable housing development, including pre-development analysis, financing preparation, project coordination, community engagement, and compliance support. Fellowship activities will be conducted collaboratively with host organization staff, external consultants, local governments, and funding partners. The Fellowship culminates in a capstone project deliverable prepared by the Fellow.
Fellowship Activities & Estimated Allocation of Effort
- Pre-Development & Planning (Approx. 25%)
- Conduct site assessments, zoning research, and due diligence activities
- Support feasibility analysis, market research, and community needs assessments
- Prepare draft concept plans, site layouts, and development scenarios
- Coordinate with local officials, planning departments, and engineering consultants as requested
- Financial Analysis & Funding Support (Approx. 25%)
- Develop and refine project pro formas with guidance from staff
- Support preparation of grant, loan, and tax-credit applications (e.g., LIHTC, HOME, CDBG, USDA Rural Development, WHEDA, FHLB)
- Prepare development cost estimates, operating budgets, and rent schedules
- Assist with financial modeling for acquisition or rehabilitation scenarios
- Project Coordination & Construction Support (Approx. 20%)
- Participate in design and coordination meetings with architects, engineers, and contractors
- Review construction documents, schedules, and cost estimates
- Conduct site visits and support documentation of construction progress
- Assist with procurement coordination and contractor communications
- Community Engagement & Partnership Support (Approx. 15%)
- Participate in community meetings, listening sessions, and stakeholder interviews
- Develop materials for presentations to councils, boards, and community groups
- Support outreach related to workforce housing, senior housing, and neighborhood development initiatives
- Compliance, Operations & Asset Management Support (Approx. 10%)
- Learn and apply compliance requirements for USDA RD, LIHTC, and other funding programs
- Assist with data collection, reporting, and lease-up preparation
- Review long-term operating plans and capital reserve strategies
- Capstone Project & Professional Development (Approx. 5%)
- Prepare and present a comprehensive Project Development Package for a rural site, including feasibility, financing strategy, development schedule, and community engagement approach
- Participate in external trainings, webinars, and conferences relevant to rural housing development
- Present a final capstone deliverable to staff, board members, and partners at the conclusion of the fellowship
Fellowship Deliverables:
- Defined work products aligned with the scope above
- Periodic progress updates to the primary organizational liaison
- Final capstone project package and presentation
Qualifications:
Required:
- Completion of a housing-, real estate-, regional planning, or community development–related education or training program (certificate, degree, coursework, or internship)
- Strong analytical, research, and written/oral communication skills
- Demonstrated interest in affordable housing, rural development, or public service
- Ability to manage work independently and meet agreed-upon deadlines
- Strong interpersonal skills and comfort engaging with community stakeholders and public officials
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within rural areas
Preferred:
- Experience with Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, or similar tools
- Familiarity with basic development pro formas or financial modeling
- Prior internship, fellowship, contract, or volunteer experience in planning, development, or community-based work
Professional Development Opportunities (Non-Employee):
As part of the fellowship experience, the Fellow may have access to:
- Participation in regional or state housing conferences (e.g., WHEDA Conference)
- Enrollment in webinars or short courses offered by HAC, RCAC, Enterprise, NeighborWorks, or similar organizations
- Informal mentorship and feedback from senior development professionals
- Exposure to project-based learning across the full affordable housing development lifecycle
PDN-a1477fd7-a405-4794-803e-b43e78ed340d
