Real Estate Development Internship Jobs in Portland, ME

Description

Are you driven by the opportunity to turn complex ideas into real homes that strengthen communities? Do you thrive at the intersection of finance, planning, and partnership-bringing affordable housing developments from concept to completion? Avesta Housing is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Development Officer to help expand and preserve high-quality, affordable multifamily housing across Maine and New Hampshire.

In this critical role, you'll lead development projects from early site feasibility through financing, design, construction, and transition to operations. You'll collaborate with internal teams and external partners, manage budgets and timelines, and navigate public approvals and complex financing structures to deliver successful outcomes. Every project you advance will directly support Avesta's mission to improve lives by creating safe, stable, and affordable homes for people in need.

This role is a great fit if you:

• Enjoy managing multifaceted projects from vision to reality
• Bring strong skills in real estate finance, underwriting, and problem-solving
• Thrive in a collaborative environment with multiple stakeholders
• Want your work to have a lasting, tangible impact on communities

About Avesta Housing 

Avesta Housing is a local leader in housing development, property management, and assisted living solutions. Founded in 1972, our nonprofit organization serves individuals and families in need of quality affordable housing in Maine and New Hampshire.

What it's Like to Work Here 

Our team members have positive attitudes, are creative problem-solvers, and share a dedication to housing equity and inclusion for all. Our shared commitment to improving the lives of others and strengthening our communities through affordable housing gives us purpose and inspires our best work. Our workplace culture and continuous opportunities for growth have resulted in Avesta Housing being a popular place to work.

Our employees selected Avesta Housing as a 2025 Best Places to Work in Maine because of our opportunities for career advancement, friendly workplace culture, impressive benefits and compensation, responsive managers, and company values!

What We're Looking For

The person who is ready for this opportunity will meet the following requirements:

• Strong project management and financial underwriting skills
• Well-organized
• Creative and proactive problem-solver
• Good communication skills, including public comment and presentations
• Excellent analytical skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required; Master's Degree in real estate, urban planning, finance, business, or a related field preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of multifamily housing finance including proficiency with pro formas.
• Thorough knowledge of the real estate development process and relevant regulations, including land acquisition, municipal approvals, zoning, environmental review, design, and construction.
• Demonstrated ability to execute successful real estate development projects, manage multiple work streams simultaneously, and operate with a high degree of independence.
• At least 3 years of financial underwriting, project management, real estate development, or other relevant experience.
• Experience with LIHTC, HUD, RD, State housing finance agencies or other housing finance entities is preferable, but not required.
• Experience with private equity, impact investing, and market-rate real estate transactions is preferable, but not required.  

Click HERE to view the full Development Officer job description.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week) position, and the annual salary range is $73,000 - $100,000, commensurate with experience.

Work Location 

This position will be in-person at Avesta's Portland headquarters with an opportunity to move to a hybrid work setup in the future. Additional travel in Maine and New Hampshire will be required, and dependent on the location of development projects.

Benefits

We have excellent employee benefits, including: 

• Employer-paid health and dental plans for employees;
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts;
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with immediate vested match of up to 6%;
• Employer-paid basic life, long-term and short-term disability;
• Free wellness services for benefits-eligible employees and their dependents;
• 13 paid holidays;
• Generous earned time, starting with 22 days in first year of employment;
• Professional development assistance;
• Employee referral bonus program; and
• Tuition reimbursement

Ready to Apply? 

If this job sounds like a fit for you, please click through to our Employment Application. A resume that tells us how your experience is relevant to this role is required.

Avesta Housing Corp. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to being an inclusive community that values diversity in people, backgrounds, and ideas, and ensures fair treatment, access, and advancement for each person.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and lived experiences, including differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, socioeconomic background, veteran status, and family structure. We also recognize and value diversity in thought, communication styles, education, and career paths.

We believe our work is strengthened by a team that reflects the communities we serve. If you are passionate about our mission, we encourage you to apply.