Development Programs Specialist I: $5,067 to $6,096 monthly

Development Programs Specialist II: $5,748 to $6,925 monthly

Development Programs Specialist I: This is the entry-level class in the Development Programs Specialist series. Incumbents receive training in the principles, methods, and resources used in economic development, housing and community development. Incumbents are expected to learn the intricacies of economic, housing and community development. The majority of the duties require routine research and independent judgment in interpretation of guidelines. Incumbents perform a full range of paraprofessional to professional duties in their assigned area and receive training and close supervision in carrying out more complex or varied assignments. This class is distinguished from the Development Specialist II in that the latter is designed to be the transitional class from entry to full-journey level after initial professional work experience has been gained.
Development Programs Specialist II: This is the full working journey-level in the Development Programs Specialist series. Incumbents are assigned to one of the functional divisions of the Economic Development Division. Incumbents are responsible for exercising considerable judgment and independence in performing assignments of average difficulty which require a comprehensive knowledge of assigned projects and programs. This class is distinguished from the Development Programs Specialist I in that this class performs full journey-level work and is expected to obtain desired results within established guidelines which require complex research and frequent independent judgments in interpretation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are typical of this classification. Incumbent may not perform all of the duties and/or may be required to perform specific additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs, changing business practices, and specified area of assignment.
All Levels: Interviews applicants for programs to determine income, employment status, education, experience, interests, and other factors relevant to program eligibility; maintains client contacts to assess progress, and makes appropriate resource referrals; provides information regarding available programs to individuals and community organizations; completes or assists applicants in completing application, referral, or registration forms; informs applicants of other resources in the community; determines applicant eligibility from registration forms, interviews, and supporting documentation provided by the applicant; explains eligibility determinations, program provisions, and the participant's rights; assesses suitability of clients for program referral; identifies and refers applicants to appropriate service resources; conducts routine monitoring; ensures computer files and case records are updated and reviewed in a timely manner; compiles statistical reports and related activities as needed; compiles data and prepares routine statistical and narrative reports and correspondences; maintains contact with business community and resources, local community based organizations, schools, work experience coordinators, and program operators; may serve as a liaison between the City's programs and the local community; provides technical assistance to businesses, individuals and groups regarding development and assistance opportunities, eligibility determination, and intake procedures; stays abreast of regulations governing program eligibility and enrollment procedures through attendance at staff meetings and review of periodic revisions to applicable regulations; interprets State guidelines and develops recommended guidelines for approval; monitors the expenditures and encumbrances of project funds; researches and maintains files on local available resources; presents supportive services information to businesses, individuals and groups; reviews publications and government guidelines and regulations affecting federal and state funded programs; reviews and monitors consultant contracts; summarizes information for review and analysis by the division supervisor; develops or revises forms, checklists, and questionnaires as needed; assists in developing, revising, and distributing applications and proposal forms and tracks status; provides technical support and assistance to businesses, administrative agencies, staff members, current and potential program operators, and community organizations; reviews applications, proposals, and routine contracts for completeness and accuracy; may write routine narratives for limited scope contracts; reviews and revises contract documents; and conducts on-site visits to ensure contract compliance.
Additionally, the Development Programs Specialist I: Collects, organizes, and analyzes program or project data; conducts needs assessment and determines program priorities; identifies areas of economic, housing, and community development needs; analyzes the effectiveness of existing programs in these areas; ensures implementation of programmatic, organizational, administrative, budgetary, financial, and personnel elements of a variety of housing and community development programs funded by outside and governmental agencies; assists the business community by providing site location information, and by planning and coordinating project review and permit processing arrangements; cooperates with, and advises, cities, chambers of commerce, and local non-profit development corporations on developing and implementing economic and community development programs for commercial, industrial, tourist, and recreational attraction programs; collects, organizes, and analyzes basic economic and industrial development data; assists in the preparation, modification, administration, and evaluation of funding requests from contractors, citizens, private agencies, and local, County and State officials for loan and grant funds, or rebate incentive programs; analyzes and reviews routine financial loan applications and proposed contracts for adherence to program guidelines and policies; projects and analyzes sources and expenditures of grant and other financing funds; assists in implementing public financing bonds, grants, and programs; and assists in arranging facilities for the staging of various special events, conferences, and meetings to publicize City developments and opportunities; reviews routine property and equipment lease agreements, subcontracts, change orders, and contract extensions for agencies participating in programs and submit the contracts to the City and federal agencies for approval; monitors the budgetary and financial management of community and economic development, public facilities, and improvement projects; make periodic on-site visits to monitor grant-funded projects; participates in coordinating and meeting with agencies, technical consultants, City personnel, and other involved persons to negotiate contract terms, work schedules, and budgets; assists with the promotion of training programs to gain program support and participation of employers and educators; represent the department at meetings and conferences; negotiates routine contracts; interviews, counsels, and maintains client cases; may prepare materials and conduct instructional workshops; serves as liaison between clients and program operators; supports assigned committees, commissions and boards related to economic and community development; reviews allocation and encumbrances of project or program operations' budgets; monitors program contract compliance; assesses and recommends procedure changes; evaluates program performance; answers program inquiries; and may perform research or analytical duties in the development of plans, projections, evaluations, recommendations, and statistical and narrative reports.
Additionally, the Development Programs Specialist II: Represents the department at meetings and conferences with citizens, the media, community organizations, advisory boards, cities, independent districts, the City Council, and other County, State, and federal agencies; evaluates and recommends changes to procedures and operations to improve program efficiency; analyzes proposed and existing federal, State, and local legislation to determine impact to programs; responds to inquiries about specific areas of expertise; performs complex research and analytical duties in the development of plans, projections, recommendations, and statistical and narrative reports; assists in monitoring program expenditures; administers and monitors projects or program operations and related budgets; monitors and implements marketing plans and budgets; works closely with economic development, housing and community development; assists the business community by providing site location information and consultation regarding planning and coordinating project review and permit processing arrangements; collects, organizes, and analyzes economic and industrial development data; conducts needs assessment and determines program priorities; identifies areas of economic, housing, and community development needs; analyzes the effectiveness of existing programs in these areas; ensures implementation of programmatic, organizational, administrative, budgetary, financial, and personnel elements of a variety of housing and community development programs funded by outside and governmental agencies; assists in the preparation, modification, administration, and evaluation of funding requests from contractors, citizens, private agencies, and local, County, and State officials, for loan and grant funds; projects and analyzes sources and expenditures of grant and other financing funds; assists in implementing public financing bonds, grants, and programs; cooperates with and advises cities, chambers of commerce, and local non-profit development corporations on developing and implementing economic and community development programs for commercial, industrial, tourist, and recreational attraction programs; assists in the marketing or management of surplus City-owned land; arranges facilities for the staging of various special events, conferences, and meetings to publicize City developments and opportunities; analyzes and reviews financial loan applications and proposed contracts; may review property and equipment lease agreements, subcontracts, change orders, and contract extensions for agencies participating in grant-funded programs and submit the contracts to the City and federal agencies for approval; monitors the budgetary and financial management of community and economic development, public facilities, and improvement projects; makes periodic on-site visits to monitor grant-funded projects; coordinates and meets with agencies, technical consultants, City personnel, and other involved persons to negotiate contract terms, work schedules, and budgets; determines contract compliance with City and County regulations and federal laws, and regulations including equal opportunity, affirmative action, labor standards, real property acquisition and relocation, historic preservation, and environmental review; serves as a liaison to federal and State representatives in determining correct interpretations of related laws, regulations, and guidelines and to resolve questions regarding audit findings; may assist developers in developing strategies to reduce or eliminate barriers to project development; includes plans for building community support; conduct outreach and facilitate community information, education and marketing meetings; negotiates large-scale contracts; modifies agreements as needed; monitor contract compliance; coordinates procurement of program contractors including generating and evaluating the request for proposals (RFP), evaluating the performance of contractors, and referring a list of potential contractors to the administrative and governing body for evaluation and selection; promotes employment and training programs to gain program support and participation of employers and educators; reviews City agencies' program information to prevent duplication of services.
ALLOCATION FACTORS:

Volume and difficulty of assignments, public contact and department operations; exercise of independent judgment and decision-making; level of technical skill utilized; consequences of decisions made.

These positions are fixed allocations and incumbents at level I are eligible for consideration of advancement to level II when appropriately allocated AND upon satisfactory performance, attainment and demonstration of the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities, and/or required certification AND possession of a minimum of three (3) years of comparable professional work experience OR satisfactory completion of two (2) years in their current assignment as a Development Programs Specialist I.

LICENSE REQUIRED: Possession of a valid and appropriate California Driver License.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. The typical qualifying entrance background is:
Development Programs Specialist I: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with major coursework in business or public administration, behavioral science, social science, political science, public policy, urban studies, education, marketing, economics, environmental sciences, geography, or closely related field AND two (2) years of professional, technical, or administrative support experience in economic development, industrial development, or housing and community development, related public relations work, development marketing, development finance, commercial real estate transactions; OR program analysis of industrial, commercial, economic, housing and community development projects; OR development of plans, evaluations and recommendations. Public sector experience is highly desirable.
Development Programs Specialist II: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, which included coursework preferably in business or public administration, behavioral science, social science, political science, public policy, urban studies, education, marketing, economics, environmental sciences, geography or related major AND two (2) years of experience comparable to the duties of a Development Specialist I with the City of Lompoc; OR three (3) years of comparable professional experience involving negotiating or monitoring contracts, OR three (3) years of comparable professional work experience in an administrative staff capacity performing program analysis, public relations, marketing, finance, or commercial real estate transactions in one or more of the following areas: economic development, industrial development, housing and community development, or commercial development projects.
Substitution: Qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two (2) years of college course work on the basis of two (2) years of qualifying experience for one (1) year of college. Formalized economic development courses and certifications may be considered toward college course work requirement.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMANDS:
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical:
Strength category: Light-exert force to 20 lbs. occasionally, or 10 lbs. frequently, or negligible force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects. May involve significant standing, walking, pushing and/or pulling. Frequent sitting, keying, typing. Occasional standing, walking, bending, twisting at the waist, handling, gripping, grasping, reaching at, above and below shoulder level, extending neck side to side. On rare occasion stoops, crouches, kneels, climbs stairs, ladders, scaffolding, extends neck upward and downward. Vision: Visual acuity which could be corrected sufficiently to perform the essential functions of the position; average depth perception needed. Hearing: Effectively hear/comprehend oral instructions and communication.
Mental/Psychological:
Work cooperatively and interact appropriately with those contacted in the course of work, including community groups and organizations, and the general public; utilize advanced and complex reading, writing and math skills; exercise good judgment in following procedures and directions; respond quickly and calmly to changing priorities; communicate effectively orally; work under pressure; work within deadlines. Requires functional reasoning skills enabling the analysis of major problems that necessitate complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units. Requires situational reasoning skills allowing for the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and innovation in situations involving broader aspects of the organization.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Constantly works indoors; occasionally works outdoors. Frequent use of products and equipment required in a standard office work setting; personal computer, including word processing, database and spreadsheet programs; calculator, telephone, photocopier and telex fax machines, and other standard office equipment. Works independently and with the public. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, and moderately loud when outdoors.

The information herein does not either constitute an expressed or implied contract. These provisions are subject to change without notice.
Job classes in this unit are subject to the City's Personnel Rules, Procedures, and Policies. Benefits include the following:
Bilingual Pay: Individuals determined to be in an eligible position and qualified by the City will be eligible for $150 per month bilingual pay. Employees with both oral and written bilingual skills shall receive $190 per month bilingual pay.
Deferred Compensation:The City encourages and supports employee enrollment in either MissionSquare or CalPERS deferred compensation plan. Employees may contribute up to the maximum amount according to the IRS Retirement Plan Contribution Limits.
Dental Insurance:Effective the first day of the month following appointment, the employee and dependents are eligible for insurance; the City contributes a substantial amount of the premium for the employee and dependents.

Health Insurance:Effective the first day of the month following appointment, the employee and dependents are eligible for insurance; the City contributes a substantial amount of the premium for the employee and dependents. Employees can select from three (3) Blue Shield plans.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):Employees of the City of Lompoc are eligible to receive EAP services administered by Anthem Blue Cross. Employee, spouse, and eligible dependents are entitled to receive five (5) sessions per family member, per incident. Services include counseling for various reasons/needs.
Holidays:Thirteen (13) days per year including one floating holiday.
Life Insurance:The City provides life insurance in the amount equivalent to two years' annual salary up to a maximum of $300,000. The premium is paid entirely by the City. Employees are eligible for enrollment after the first day following six (6) months of continuous employment. Additional employee coverage is available at group rates.
Long-Term Disability Insurance: Effective the first day of the month following six complete months of employment, the employee is eligible for insurance. The City pays 100% of the premium.
Retirement: Third Tier - Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are covered by California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) 2% at age 62 formula. Employees pay 50% of the normal cost of the member's contribution as prescribed by PEPRA. Final compensation is the average for the highest 36 consecutive months.
Second Tier -Employees hired after November 19, 2011 and before January 1, 2013 are covered by California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) 2% at age 60 formula. An eight percent (8%) member's contribution is paid by the employee. Final compensation is the average for the highest 36 consecutive months.

First Tier -Employees hired prior to November 19, 2011 are covered by California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) 2.7% at age 55 formula with 1959 survivor's benefit. A ten percent (10%) member's contribution is paid by the employee. Final compensation is the average for the highest 12 consecutive months.
Social Security: As a City of Lompoc employee, your earnings are not covered by Social Security. Under the Social Security law, there are two ways your Social Security Benefit amount earned under previous employers may be affected, "Windfall Elimination Provision" and "Government Pension Offset Provision." FOR MORE INFORMATION, please visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov. You may also call 1-800-772-1213 or for the deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number 1-800-325-0778, or you may contact your local Social Security Office.
Section 125 Tax Deferral:Program used for out-of-pocket health premiums, medical costs not covered under health plan, and day care/elder care.
Sick Leave:Commencing at the time of appointment, sick leave benefits accrue at a bi-weekly rate and the employee is eligible to use those benefits reflected as their sick leave balance; accrual rate is 12 days/year.
Tuition Reimbursement:The City will provide tuition reimbursement for college courses in accordance with Personnel Procedures Manual Chapter 43 "Tuition Reimbursement for College/University Courses." In addition, the City will provide community college students up to 100% tuition reimbursement and 100% reimbursement for required course books per semester. (Course syllabus and receipts identifying books purchased are required for books).
Vacation:Commencing at the time of appointment, vacation leave benefits accrue at a bi-weekly rate based upon length of employment. Employees are eligible to use vacation leave following completion of six months employment and accrue 10 days per year, which increases to 21 days based on years of service.
To view the Unrepresented Compensation Plan and for more benefit information, go to the following link: http://www.cityoflompoc.com/humanresources/#mou