Career Opportunities

Housing Tester (Undercover housing shopper)

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The Housing Rights Center ("HRC") is seeking Tester/ Tester Coordinators to help uncover differential treatment by inquiring about rental listings and then reporting their experiences. HRC is the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit fair housing organization.  Our mission is to actively support and promote fair housing through education and advocacy, to the end that all persons have the opportunity to secure and protect the housing they desire and can afford, without illegal discrimination.  The Tester/Tester Coordinator will work both remotely from home and at HRC’s Los Angeles office and will occasionally conduct site visits. Fair housing testing is a strategy used to determine whether people looking for housing are being treated differently based on their membership in a protected class.  Testing allows one to measure and document differences in the quality, content, and quantity of information and services provided to seekers of housing.  Testing is one of the best ways to confirm whether a housing provider may be breaking fair housing law. There a few tester positions available ranging from full-time to part-time.* Testers from all demographic backgrounds are needed and, therefore, encouraged to apply.

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Testers play the role of a person seeking housing in person, by phone or email. They must be objective observers, accurate reporters, and truthful witnesses, as they will report about their experience.

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Who are we looking for:

• Reliable individuals able to work full-time or part-time, good observational and recall skills and the ability to write clear, objective statements.

• We use test results to file complaints against landlords who have violated the law. Conducted tests will potentially be used as evidence in these cases so to ensure the integrity of our test results, we need people who understand the commitment and will be thorough and timely in their assignments.

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RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Work closely with staff to investigate for housing discrimination primarily in apartment rentals, including: 

  • Coordinating, analyzing, and conducting tests (comparing the treatment of tenant applicants)

  • Timely submitting written statements and testing data and compiling complete case files

  • Taking witness statements and surveying tenants 

  • Assist with tester recruitment and training. 

  • Conduct research on listings 

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QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Excellent observational and recall skills with a superior attention to detail and accuracy.

• Excellent time management skills and strong written and verbal communication skills (in English). 

• Must be well organized, able to meet deadlines and be a strong team member. 

• Access to reliable transportation with ability to travel throughout LA County and with proof of car insurance

• Have reliable internet, phone access, and transportation to conduct testing and site visits.  

• Pre-hire: Must successfully complete a 2-3 hour training session and complete and submit a practice test.

• Due to federal funding requirements, testers must not have any felony convictions or convictions for any crimes involving fraud or perjury in the last 7 years. 

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BENEFITS: Competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and vision.  Reimbursed mileage. 

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APPLICATIONS:

Please e-mail a resume and cover letter (no phone calls, please) describing your interest and qualifications to: Bradley Thomas, Project Manager; E-mail: bthomas@housingrightscenter.org
Or mail to:  Bradley Thomas, Housing Rights Center, 3255 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1150, Los Angeles, CA 90010 

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