County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under close supervision, incumbents in this class are responsible for the performance of professional duties which involve technical and analytical work in economic development and community revitalization programs and performing related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Economic and Civic Development Specialist I is located in the Community Development Agency’s Economic and Civic Development Department. The Economic and Civic Development Specialist I performs the less complex professional functions of community revitalization and economic development.

The more complex aspects of economic development and community revitalization projects are either performed by higher-level Economic and Civic Development Specialists, or under their guidance.

Upon completion of one year as an Economic and Civic Development Specialist I, the incumbent will be evaluated for potentially flexing up to Economic and Civic Development Specialist II. The Economic and Civic Development Specialist I is distinguished from the Economic and Civic Development Specialist II in that the latter performs the full range of professional duties under general supervision, once department and program policies and procedures are learned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are duties performed by employees in these classifications. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

1. Participate in regular, organized communication within the business, commercial brokerage and property owner communities, utilizing a variety of outreach techniques including production of newsletters, social media, marketing materials and other outreach tools.

2. Work with merchants and property owners to identify short and long term business goals and objectives for the district(s).

3. Develop and direct promotional activities to serve the needs of the business districts. Activities may include planning, organizing and facilitating brokers’ breakfast events and meetings for business associations, merchant associations and other stakeholder meetings.

4. Attend meetings as an advocate of the business community and to advise on programs, projects, and budgets.

5. Attend and make presentations to community associations, homeowners associations, merchants associations, and other community and business area events.

6. Assist in promoting department programs, such as the façade improvement program and other design and construction assistance for commercial properties.

7. Provide resource information to the business community appropriate to their needs and in conjunction with other County- sponsored projects.

8. Coordinate property maintenance and commercial construction activities.

9. Collect, organize, and analyze basic economic development data.

10. Work with consultants on projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business or public administration, behavioral science, social science, political science, urban studies, education, marketing, economics, environmental sciences, geography or a related field. If Bachelor’s degree is in a related field, applicant must show academic studies nexus to economic development or community revitalization.

And
Experience:

One year full-time community or program planning experience in an economic development or community revitalization program.

Special Requirements:

Incumbents may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and may be required to drive in the performance of duties.

Incumbents may be required to attend night and/or weekend meetings.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of economic development, commercial revitalization, land use and entitlements, and real estate development.
• Federal, state and local regulations associated with business district and neighborhood improvement, including the California Redevelopment Law.
• Procedures and guidelines associated with redevelopment law, real estate finance, marketing and business attraction strategies.

Ability to:

• Interpret laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to assigned programs.
• Gather and analyze basic data.
• Plan and prepare materials to be used in promotional materials.
• Apply provisions of technical assistance regarding grant-funded programs.
• Plan and coordinate effective citizen participation groups.
• Understand, interpret, and apply the provisions of basic government.
• Reason logically, draw valid conclusions, generate and evaluate alternatives.
• Establish and maintain effective relations with community service agencies, civic groups, the general public and fellow staff members.
• Communicate effectively in orally and in writing to individuals and groups of various organizational and socio-economic level.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

DA:sw
5/20/99; 5/21/99; 5/25/99
Newspecs: 2980-2981-2982.doc
JC:pf Rev 1/29/01
CSC Date: 5/9/01
DRH:cs Revised and Retitled 3/4/14
Old Title: Redevelopment Specialist I/II/III
CSC Date: 4/30/14

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.