Economic & Housing Development Specialist

Essential Functions - include by are not limited to the following:

• Assists in implementation of the Economic and Housing Development Workplan alongside other City departments, public agencies, the business community and community groups
• Understands City of Pacifica’s governing documents such as its General Plan, Local Coastal Program, Housing Element, Sharp Park Specific Plan and others
• Conducts research and analysis and prepares reports, memorandums, and letters on assigned programs or projects.
• Researches and identifies grants, prepares grant application documents, processes received awards, and monitors grant compliance.
• Acts as a liaison with local businesses to maintain an accurate and current inventory of businesses within the community.
• Demonstrates ability to utilize procurement systems like Open Gov
• Conducts financial analysis of proposed real estate and business development projects.
• Assists with the development and implementation of business recruitment strategies.
• Assists with the marketing and promotion of City programs and events; prepares informational materials for business community outreach and engagement.
• Reads, understands, and explains complex legislation, regulations, ordinances, contracts, and financial documents.
• Provides technical assistance to various parties and groups, such as small business owners, business associations, citizen groups and other City departments and divisions, related to the City’s economic and housing development programs and projects.
• Assists in the coordination of the City’s economic and housing development activities and efforts with other public agencies, business community, and community groups.
• Establishes and maintains work plans, expenditure reports, and project schedules, and monitors for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Assists with or manages special programs and projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of economic, community and housing development.
• The real estate development entitlement and permitting process, including affordable housing .
• Principles of economic development opportunities and challenges in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Principles and practices of negotiation methods and contract administration.
• Principles of placemaking and optimization of land use
• Overall City finances including budgeting, revenues and expenditures
• Social media marketing
• Event planning and production
• Grants preparation and monitoring.
• Federal, state, local, and other resources for economic, community and housing development and business assistance.
• Applicable City, local, state, and federal ordinances, guidelines, codes, laws and regulations pertinent to economic, community and housing development.

Skill/Ability to:

• Tackle intractable or difficult problems through creative thinking and promoting cooperation between involved parties
• Develop, implement and lead new programs or projects          
• Read, understand, interpret, and apply applicable City, local, state, and federal ordinances, guidelines, codes, legislation, laws and regulations pertinent to economic development.
• Perform research and collect and analyze data, including financial analysis and technical information.
• Assist with negotiations with building owners, contractors, and developers and develop appropriate contracts for programs and projects.
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Develop effective marketing and outreach materials and programs.
• Maintain complete and accurate records.
• Set priorities, meet deadlines, and make sound decisions on a variety of matters.
• Represent the City effectively in contacts with elected and foreign officials, representatives of other agencies, City departments, and the public.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to assimilate, understand, and convey information
• Operate a personal computer and its associated applications.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Experience: Three years of progressively responsible experience involving economic development, housing, retail and commercial development, and marketing/marketing research.
• Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, economics, political science, urban planning or a related field.  A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public policy, real estate development, city or urban planning may substitute for one year of experience.
• Licenses and Certification: Possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s license.

Additional Information

• Physical Skills: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites. Able to use standard office equipment, including a computer; sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, and climb; lift and carry 50 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, over the telephone, and to make public presentations. Ability to drive safely to different sites and locations; maintain a safe driving record; work protracted and irregular hours; attend evening meetings as needed
• Work Environment: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.