The Office of Economic Development (OED) envisions Seattle as a vibrant, innovative, diverse city with an inclusive economy where Seattleites can thrive and share in the new opportunities of the future. The OED is committed to building an inclusive economy in the City of Seattle. OED works at all levels of our local economy to:

• support small and micro-businesses,
• partner with neighborhood business districts,
• support creative business sectors and workers,
• partner with key industries that drive innovation, job growth and global competitiveness, and
• invest in our local workforce with an emphasis on young people, low-income, as well as un-and under-employed adults.

We are seeking a Community Development Specialist to join our passionate team, dedicated to driving transformative change. In this role, you'll collaborate with small businesses and nonprofit organizations, developing new programs and pioneering approaches towards our shared vision of an inclusive economy.

As a Community Development Specialist, you will support small business and business districts and will focus on specific aspects of Seattle’s economic recovery. You will be assigned to focus on one of our key programs, either/or Capital Access Program or Neighborhood Capacity Building Program.

Capital Access Program:

• Support OED’s capital access strategy to empower small businesses and address racial gaps in capital access. 
• Manage a business consulting program overseeing solicitation processes, negotiating scopes of work and budgets, onboarding and supporting a team of consultants (often smaller consultants new to working with the city), and providing language access. 
• Drive program outreach and cultivate partnerships to expand service accessibility, support storytelling and communications, tracking and reporting program outcomes. 
• Coordinate city and federal reporting requirements.

Neighborhood Capacity Building Program:

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and action planning in designated business districts to foster community-driven visions and projects.
• Administer grant contracts with neighborhood organizations, monitoring progress and outcomes.
• Coordinate grant application processes and organize peer networking events to support neighborhood partners.
• Evaluate program impacts and facilitate storytelling initiatives to spotlight local businesses and communities.

This is more what you’ll be doing daily:

• Managing community economic development programs, collaborating with grantees and consultants.
• Providing problem-solving support and connecting businesses with technical assistance resources.
• Building and nurturing relationships with communities and small businesses, overseeing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Tracking and reporting program outcomes, representing the department at external meetings and interdepartmental sessions.

Please note this job ad is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Your effectiveness in any of these roles will depend on your ability to:

• Collaborate with communities particularly BIPOC, immigrant and refugee communities, advocacy organizations, community groups, and/or business associations.
• Recognize how institutional racism and government has contributed to inequality and the wealth gap between white people and black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).
• Effectively manage projects, including the ability to produce, track and manage multiple deliverables with overlapping deadlines and adapting easily to changing priorities to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, team-oriented, and political environment.

You will be prepared to take on this role if you have:

• Demonstrated experience in community building and outreach, collaborating with various stakeholders, and developing and implementing project plans. 
• A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes. 
• The ability to communicate at all levels tactfully and effectively. 
• Skills in fostering and developing mutually respectful relationships and fostering a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Specifically, the work requires experience in/with: 

• Outreach, community building, communication, and stakeholder collaboration working to eliminate structural racism in programs, processes, or policies. 
• Planning, organizing, coalition building, nonprofit management, and economic development, initiatives.
• Microsoft Office software, such as Excel, Word, MS Teams and PowerPoint. 
• Other software applications such as databases, survey tools, and customer relationship management. 
• Providing leadership and being accountable within a community of color-led and focused organization or effort. 
• Desired experience with small businesses and/or business financing for the Capital Access Program.

In addition to the ability to perform the tasks described above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications:

Baccalaureate degree in business, public administration, urban planning, social work or similar area, 

AND

Two (2) years of experience in planning, organizing, coalition building, non-profit management, program management, community development, economic development, small business support, entrepreneurship, or related experience, 

 OR
 
 a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.

This full-time and full-benefits position is classified as a Community Development Specialist in the City payroll system. This position is covered by the Civil Service system and FLSA (eligible for overtime). The full pay range for this step-progression position is $43.97 - $51.22 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $43.97 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to work in-office two days a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend in-person meetings could be required.

Required travel: Ability to travel around the city to attend meetings in person in a timely and cost-effective manner. 

Why work at the City of Seattle?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans. 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, please submit your application as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

In addition to completing the application www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle please upload:

• A cover letter explaining your interest and capability to perform this job.
• A PDF resume which illustrates your related skills and abilities.

Who may apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.

Questions? Please contact Marina Silcheva at Marina.Silcheva@seattle.gov 

To learn more about the Office of Economic Development, please visit: http://www.seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development.