Community Development Specialist I/II - Arcata

Community Development Specialist I - $49, $63,541.36/yr. · Community Development Specialist II - $54, $69,858.28/yr. · (+3% salary increase in July 2026) · Please note: · Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026. · GREAT BENEFITS including: the City curre ...

Job description

Community Development Specialist I - $49, $63,541.36/yr.

Community Development Specialist II - $54, $69,858.28/yr.

(+3% salary increase in July 2026)

Please note:
Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026.

GREAT BENEFITS including:

the City currently pays the majority of the medical coverage premium for employees (and their dependents) and 100% of the premium for dental and vision coverage.

The City also offers a $400/month health insurance opt-out option, if applicable. Additionally, vacation accrual increases with service; immediate City contribution to deferred comp, increasing with service; longevity pay, etc. See more in the "Benefits" tab.

Description

The Community Development Specialist I/II performs a variety of professional and technical duties supporting the City's housing, community development, and economic development programs, with a strong emphasis on grant administration and compliance.

Key responsibilities include researching, preparing and managing grants, administering housing and business loan programs, and supporting property management.

The ideal candidate has strong project management skills, is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to successfully manage multiple priorities. We're looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative, team-oriented environment and is passionate about our community.

While all qualifying applicants are welcome to apply, candidates with 2+ years of experience are especially encouraged to apply for hire at the Community Development Specialist II level.**Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:Processes housing, community development, and business loans, grants, and real property leases from the application stage up to and including final construction completion and loan servicing; originates and closes loans; determines property improvement needs; prepares construction specifications; coordinates project bidding, contract management and payment disbursement.

Analyzes housing, community, and business development proposals and pro formas from profit and non-profit developers; researches developer references and financial statements.

Prepares and coordinates feasibility analysis and planning studies related to housing, community, and economic development projects, loans, and grants.

Conducts work progress inspections; prepares requests for payments to contractors as needed; accounts for all payments made; facilitates resolution of contract disputes between homeowners and contractors.

Prepares marketing and informational materials; compiles and analyzes data; maintains file records on all cases served; performs surveys; interprets federal and state housing, community, and economic development programs in order to use them in meeting local priorities.

Assists in analyzing new housing, community and business needs and implementing responsive projects, including pro formas, site appraisal, site acquisition; determines methods of financing, solicits and reviews development proposals, monitors community participation, construction and occupancy.

Coordinates community review and feedback for affordable housing projects; prepares reports and makes recommendations to public bodies with regard to affordable housing projects; markets available affordable housing projects to eligible applicants within the community.

Coordinates real property leasing, including marketing and advertising; preparing and processing leases; invoicing, monitoring and collecting rents; monitoring lease terms; regularly inspecting to ensure safety and compliance, performing minor repairs and coordinating those that require outsourcing, and handling tenant inquiries and complaints.

Performs other duties as assigned.

To See The Full Job Description, Click Here.

Experience & Training:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Community Development Specialist I:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, finance, planning, public administration, or a related field and at least one (1) year experience in housing, economic development, redevelopment or a related field is desirable.

Community Development Specialist II:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, finance, planning, public administration, or a related field and satisfactory demonstration of at least two (2) years experience independently performing the duties of Community Development Specialist I, and the ability to perform the specific tasks established for promotion to the position.

Knowledge of:

Procedures, regulations and practices in housing, community, and economic development, including the areas of financing, land acquisition, construction and rehabilitation; federal, state and local regulations dealing with housing, community development, and economic development; local real estate land use, building and zoning codes; principles and practices of real estate, including financing, valuations, appraisal techniques, development, and real estate law; principles and practices of marketing research and implementation, business retention and attraction methods; procedures, regulations and practices of state and federal grant application and administration; modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment including computer hardware and software necessary for work functions, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; principles of record keeping; techniques for dealing effectively with those contacted in the course of work, both in person and on the telephone.

Ability to:

analyze, interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations pertaining to housing and commercial loan and grant administration, economic and development activities; analyze and compile statistical and technical information and prepare reports; prepare Requests for Proposals, bid specifications, and contract documents; apply principles of real estate valuations and appraisal techniques; prepare and analyze pro formas; apply principles of business retention and attraction methods; apply principles and techniques of building construction and rehabilitation; apply local building and zoning codes; read, comprehend, and translate financial statements, blueprints, plans, and related items; make accurate arithmetic, financial and statistical computations; interpret and apply Community Development Block Grant, HOME, and other grant application requirements and procedures; prepare Staff Reports, attachments and / or exhibits for specific development proposals; operate computer systems and applications in relation to work functions; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Other Requirements

Possess a valid California Driver License.
A commitment to understand and support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Willing to work nights, weekends, standby, on-call, and overtime as necessary.

Physical Requirements

Able to perform the physical aspects of the job, including sitting for periods of time, operating standard office equipment, including a computer; inspecting City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders and stairs, operating a motor vehicle; lifting or carrying up to 50 lbs.; occasionally working outside in varying weather conditions.