Community Development Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Development Specialist will work with the Director of Housing and Community Development, City Administration, City Commissioners, Department Heads, community organizations and developers to plan, research and implement current and long-term housing, community and business development needs.  This position must be capable of independently carrying out most assignments typical of urban planning and community development, and will receive general direction from the Director for implementing the vision, goals and objectives of the Department.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with the Director of Housing and Community Development and/or other department or community advisory groups; plans community events; researches and prepares proposals and delivers presentations as needed to community groups and staff reports to the City Commission;
• Ensures that the Department Director is kept fully informed on the condition of planning and development projects and about any trends, events, or emerging issues of significance to the department’s success;
• Grant proposals: Researches and analyzes departmental needs to identify local, state, federal and private grants appropriate for specific projects. Compiles data and prepares narrative reports on grant activities. Writes grants, monitors progress of awarded grants, and submits reports to funders on time; grant programs include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Moderate Income Housing (MIH), and other grants awarded to the City; ensures compliance with private, state and federal regulations; Work will be reviewed by Director to identify results achieved; Serves as the City’s liaison with State and Federal housing representatives and funders;
• Assists with the drafting and production of contracts, correspondence for internal and external audiences, and information for City Commission approval;
• Serves as a liaison (often first point of contact) for the City and the department with community members, neighborhood organizations, cultural groups, partners and stakeholders helping to foster communication and support connections to resources and programming, or to resolve specific issues;
• Event planning: Serves as coordinator for special events and programs within the Housing and Community Development Department; acts as primary contact for event vendors and entertainers; provides logistical support for events by coordinating city staff and resources.
• Maintains important program and database information;
• Working knowledge of the organization and operations of City Government;
• Development Support: Creating proposals for fundraising and developments, including industrial, commercial, or residential projects; meeting with business owners looking to locate or expand in Pittsburg: using retail recruitment software to pull economic data for potential businesses;
• Leads community strategic planning efforts to design and implement housing and community development programs, policies, and initiatives; coordinates with community stakeholders to gather feedback; organizes town hall style planning events and public input surveys;
• Plays a leading role in program development, working closely with the Implementation team to roll out new programs;
• Works closely with the Director to lead the Housing and Community Development Team to ensure that the office continues to create and implement solutions that address the key goals of affordability, inclusivity, and equity throughout the City;
• Plays a role in connecting the work of the office to broader efforts of the Department, City, Housing and Community Development leaders in Pittsburg;
• Establishes work methods, timetables, and performance standards, etc.;
• Routinely provides workgroup leadership, guidance and/or training to less experienced staff;
• May act as team lead on large projects.

POSITION COMPETENCIES

• Experience navigating local, state and federal legislative processes preferred;
• Ability to understand policy and management implications of program issues and make sound and fiscally responsible recommendations;
• Knowledge of innovative practices for neighborhood development;
• Highly organized and skilled in project management and data tracking;
• Effective grant writing and funding procurement skills;
• Excellent communication, relationship building, customer service and presentation skills;
• Ability to negotiate and work collaboratively;
• Strong knowledge of project management techniques;
• Demonstrated conflict management and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to assist groups in complex decision-making processes;
• Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks within deadlines.;
• Knowledge of office procedures, principles of administration, organizational structures and unit coordination;
• Experience and high comfort level working with diverse populations;
• Ability to work independently and support the team by taking on different roles and responsibilities as needed to adapt to changing environments and priorities;
• Occasional night and weekend work as needed to engage with community stakeholders;
• Competency in using Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, ArcGIS and Canva

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Political Science or equivalent;
• Preferred but not required: One year of experience performing similar duties with neighborhood groups and organizations;
• Preferred but not required: bilingual Fluency in English and Spanish;
• Valid driver’s license and clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)