Application Guide
How to Apply for Data Platform Engineer, Senior Associate
at The Housing Partnership Network
🏢 About The Housing Partnership Network
Housing Partnership Network (HPN) is an award-winning membership network of 100 leading affordable housing and community development nonprofits. By joining HPN, you'll work at the intersection of technology and social impact, directly supporting mission-driven organizations that create and preserve affordable housing across the US. The collaborative, mission-focused culture offers a unique opportunity to apply your data engineering skills to address America's housing challenges.
About This Role
As a Data Platform Engineer, Senior Associate, you will build and maintain robust data pipelines (ETL/ELT) integrating systems like Salesforce, Excel, SharePoint, and Azure SQL, and support the development of Power BI dashboards that deliver actionable insights to stakeholders. This role is critical in enabling HPN's network to make data-driven decisions, directly impacting affordable housing initiatives nationwide.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with checking Azure SQL database performance alerts and reviewing pipeline logs from overnight ETL runs. You could then collaborate with a program manager to refine a Power BI dashboard tracking housing unit production, followed by a sprint planning session in Azure DevOps to prioritize upcoming data integration tasks. Afternoon might involve writing Python scripts to clean and transform data from a new member organization's Excel files, ending with documentation updates for your CI/CD pipeline.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who The Housing Partnership Network Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years in a hybrid data engineering/DBA role, with deep SQL expertise and hands-on experience administering Azure SQL databases (performance tuning, security, high availability).
- Possesses 2+ years of experience with Microsoft Power BI Premium/Fabric, including building and maintaining dashboards and reports that deliver actionable insights.
- Is proficient in Python for data processing and automation, and has experience implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps.
- Holds or is actively pursuing Azure Database Administrator Associate certification, demonstrating commitment to cloud database best practices.
📝 Tips for Applying to The Housing Partnership Network
Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with Salesforce, Excel, SharePoint, and Azure SQL data pipelines, as the job explicitly requires integrating these systems.
Mention any work with affordable housing, community development, or nonprofit clients to show alignment with HPN's mission.
Provide concrete examples of Power BI dashboards you built that drove decision-making, including metrics on user adoption or business impact.
If you have Azure Database Administrator Associate certification, list it prominently; if not, state your plan to obtain it within the first 6 months.
In your cover letter, connect your technical skills to the social mission—explain how your data work can help expand affordable housing access.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your experience with Azure SQL, Power BI, and Python in a hybrid data engineering/DBA role, with specific examples of pipeline improvements or database optimizations.', "Express genuine interest in HPN's mission and how your technical contributions can empower nonprofit members to better serve communities.", 'Highlight your ability to collaborate with non-technical stakeholders to translate data into actionable insights, as the role partners with them for dashboards.', 'Mention your familiarity with CI/CD and DevOps practices, and how they ensure reliable, scalable data platforms.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore HPN's website to understand their membership network and key initiatives like the Housing Partnership Network's 'Housing Trust Group' or 'HPN Club'. Mention specific programs you find compelling.
- → Read HPN's 'Impact Report' or recent news to see how data and technology are being used to scale affordable housing solutions.
- → Familiarize yourself with the affordable housing sector's data challenges—such as fragmented data across nonprofits—and think about how your skills address them.
- → Look up HPN's technology stack and any recent blog posts or case studies about their data platform to show informed interest.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention HPN's mission or specific technologies (Azure SQL, Power BI, Salesforce).
- Don't overstate your DBA experience if you lack hands-on Azure SQL administration; be honest about your level and willingness to learn.
- Avoid focusing solely on technical skills without connecting to business impact—HPN values data that drives actionable insights for their network.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to The Housing Partnership Network!