Tucson, Arizona, is working to transform its Public Housing Authority (PHA) into a national model of sustainability by improving energy efficiency, integrating renewable energy solutions, and implementing water conservation measures. The FUSE Executive Fellow will work with Tucson’s housing sustainability roadmap to help drive implementation, ensuring HCD housing residents benefit from reduced utility costs and increased climate resilience. Ultimately, this project will help Tucson create affordable, sustainable housing and foster a more resilient future for its most vulnerable communities.

Fellowship Dates: October 27, 2025 – October 23, 2026

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.

FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects. They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Our community is not immune to the global and existential threat of climate change. Tucson is one of the fastest warming cities in the United States, and as both our city and the globe heat up, we are at increasing risk of serious harm from increasingly hot and dry summers, intense and historic wildfires, and prolonged drought that threatens every Tucsonan - especially the most vulnerable among us.

Tucson will partner with FUSE to implement the sustainability roadmap specifically for the Public Housing Authority (PHA). The FUSE Executive Fellow will: engage stakeholders in a listening tour; conduct a landscape analysis to assess current public housing infrastructure; identify gaps and opportunities in funding for critical energy upgrades; and develop a comprehensive plan to implement sustainable energy improvements and enhance affordability for housing residents. Ultimately, this project will improve quality of life, reduce energy and water costs, move towards carbon neutrality, and position Tucson as a leader in sustainable, climate-resilient public housing.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Beginning in May 2025, the FUSE Executive Fellow will work with Tucson’s Public Housing Authority (PHA), city departments, community stakeholders, and financial institutions to implement the comprehensive sustainability roadmap for housing. This effort will help Tucson’s PHA become a national leader in sustainable and energy-efficient housing, reducing utility costs, conserving water and improving climate resilience for its residents.

The Executive Fellow will begin by conducting a comprehensive listening tour involving key stakeholders such as Tucson’s Housing and Community Development Department, PHA, the Office of Resilience, housing residents, local sustainability experts, and external partners such as community-based and faith-based organizations. This will gather insights into the current challenges in housing related to energy inefficiency, high utility costs, and protection against extreme heat. The Executive Fellow will also research best practices from other cities that have successfully implemented energy retrofits in housing. Importantly, the Executive Fellow will work to encourage diversity and inclusivity throughout this process to ensure a range of perspectives and expertise that center low-income households and communities of color, who are often most affected by inequitable climate impacts, are present. Based on these insights, the Executive Fellow will outline specific project goals and deliverables for the remainder of the fellowship for Tucson’s city leadership to review and approve.

The Executive Fellow will then focus on developing strategic recommendations to address the identified challenges, with an emphasis on energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy integration in housing. This will include identifying financing gaps and exploring innovative funding pathways such as public-private partnerships, grants, and revolving loan funds to fund programs. The Executive Fellow will work closely with stakeholders to secure buy-in for the sustainability roadmap and collaborate with city departments and external financial institutions to develop a long-term financing plan. Importantly, the Fellow will ensure that the project prioritizes affordability, sustainability, and climate resilience, benefiting Tucson’s most vulnerable communities.

The Executive Fellow will then work to launch pilot projects to test strategies for installing energy-efficient retrofits, renewable energy solutions, and water conservation measures in select public housing units. The Executive Fellow will also work to identify long-term program implementation goals, milestones, and activities to ensure sustainable operationalization in the future. This will include establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework to track the program’s impact, including energy savings, cost reductions, and resident satisfaction. By the end of the project, the Executive Fellow will have laid the groundwork for a scalable, sustainable plan that ensures Tucson’s housing system is energy-efficient and climate-resilient.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

  • Executive Sponsor: Ann Chanecka, Director, Housing and Community Development
  • Project Supervisor: Manisha Bewtra, Manager, Strategic Planning and Community Engagement (SPACE) Team

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
  • Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
  • Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
  • Respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
  • Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
  • Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
  • Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
  • Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
  • Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.