Community Development Program Specialist (Grants)

Current Salary – $68,675 to $83,475

January 2024 – 5% salary increase
January 2025 – 4% salary increase
CalPERS Retirement, Deferred Compensation – Three percent (3%) Match, Excellent benefits, 9/80 Work Schedule, and more…

The City of Lodi is currently recruiting for a Community Development Program Specialist. The City of Lodi is home to 65,000 residents, ideally located adjacent to Highway 99 and I-5, 34 miles south of Sacramento, 10 miles north of Stockton and 90 miles east of San Francisco.  The City of Lodi is a community surrounded by lush parks, wineries, museums, a lake and open space.

It is anticipated that the primary duties of the Community Development Program Specialist will be the implementation and compliance oversight of assigned grants, including the federally-funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).  The desired candidate will possess relevant skills and knowledge in Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Planning and Development programs, especially CDBG. This includes knowledge of the program design, implementation, monitoring, environmental evaluation, strategic planning,  and sub-recipient monitoring.

Job descriptions are intended to present a broad and general range of duties, which includes, purpose, responsibilities, and scope of work. Job descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION
Provides responsible analytical and journey-level program support; Performs highly skilled, specialized professional activities related to the development, implementation and administration of programs related to housing, community and homeless services and projects requiring independent decision-making, judgment and initiative; oversees the support functions of the assigned program.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Distinguished from Administrative Assistant position in that the latter is responsible for all internal administrative support functions for a department.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED
Receives supervision from higher-level staff.  May be responsible for direct and indirect supervision of lower-level staff.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Plans, coordinates and administers assigned project or program with department or citywide impact;

Confers with department heads, division managers or other professional staff concerning the administrative needs and requirements related to the program or project; Represents the program to members of the public, businesses, other City departments, and various outside public and private agencies;

Monitors program activity and objectives to assure compliance with State or Federal administrative regulations and program guidelines; Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness and outcomes; implements program policies and procedures; helps develop guidelines, forms and related documents;

Researches, analyzes and reviews grant opportunities; compiles information for preparation of grants, contracts and agreements; Implements, monitors and prepares reports on conduct and performance of grants in coordination with Division Manager;

Provides excellent customer service to those contacted in the course of work;

Produces various reports, charts, graphs, presentations and high-level correspondence related to program or project;

Individual duties, tasks, and projects may vary or differ based on Departmental assignment and operational needs;

Monitors, reviews, analyzes legislation, and provides legislative updates and impacts to management staff;

Develop recommendations and conduct meetings with management staff pertaining to assigned program area; Establish and maintain record keeping, filing and tracking system;

Check and process invoices;

May supervisor, review, or coordinate the work of others; Performs other duties related to the operation of the department and the City including additional duties that enable the department and City to meet the diverse needs of its community.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation;

Modern office methods, procedures and equipment, including word processing spreadsheet, database and scheduling software for personal computers;

Applicable laws and administrative regulations relating to the program area to which assigned;

Principles and practices of public administration and governmental finance, budgeting, and accounting;

Procurement methods;

Research techniques, methods and procedures;

Methods and practices of modern office management;

Principles and practices of program management and administration;

Technical report writing;

Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Ability to:
Analyze administrative, operational and organizational problems, evaluate alternatives and reach sound conclusions;

Collect, evaluate and interpret varied information and data, either in statistical or narrative form;

Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures;

Communicate effectively, orally and in writing; Prepare clear, concise and complete reports and other written materials;

Maintain accurate records and files;

Coordinate and prioritize multiple projects and meet critical deadlines;

Exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines; Use initiative and independent judgement; Work independently;

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities are:

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of high school supplemented by college courses in business or public administration or a closely related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

Four years of progressively responsible professional-level administrative experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid Driver’s License (Class C) issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environmental Conditions: Office environment

Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing bending and stooping for prolonged periods of time; using various office equipment including a computer screen and keyboard and occasionally lifting up to 30 pounds.

*FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT

Supplemental Information

Interested applicants must submit an online application at www.lodi.gov.  No paper applications will be accepted.  For technical difficulties with your online application, please call the Neogov helpline at 855-524-5627.

Telephone: 209-333-6704.  Persons with hearing impairment, please call the California Relay Service 7-1-1.

TESTING PROCESS: Candidates considered to be among the most qualified will be required to participate in a qualification appraisal testing process. This may include oral interviews, assessment exercises, and physical exercises. Passing scores will determine placement on an established eligible list. Eligible lists last approximately 2 years unless abolished sooner. Fingerprints and/or background clearance is part of the testing process.

EVALUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS: Application materials and resumes will be screened to determine if applicants are considered to be among the most qualified as outlined on the job announcement. Only applicants who are among the most qualified will be invited to participate in the testing process. Resumes may not be substituted for a completed application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – The City of Lodi is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of fair employment practices regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, age, mental or physical disability or perceived disability, medical condition, pregnancy, political affiliation or belief, or other unlawful discrimination.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT – In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the City of Lodi provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations must contact the Human Resources Division upon application submittal to confirm the request.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION – City of Lodi is authorized and required by the state of California to access Local, State, and/or Federal criminal history as part of the testing process. This process can be completed by initial fingerprinting and/or a full background investigation pursuant to Penal Code §11105(b)(10), §11105.3, §13300(b)(10); Education Code §10911.5; Public Resources Code §5164) and in compliance with the City of Lodi’s Fingerprinting Policy and Procedure. As a future employee or volunteer, you are required to be fingerprinted and processed through the Department of Justice and cleared before you can start. All information obtained will be kept in strict confidentiality.

HIRING PROCEDURE – Applicants must possess the minimum qualifications by the final filing date. Eligible lists are established upon successful completion of the selection process. The candidates must be successful in each part of the testing. To fill each vacancy the hiring department will request names to be certified from the eligible list and will make a selection from this certification list.

CONDITIONAL JOB OFFERS – Conditional job offers are subject to successful completion of a medical drug screen and/or physical. Candidates should not quit or give notice to their current employer until final notification has been awarded by the Human Resources Division.

MEDICAL-DRUG SCREENING – All positions may be subject to a physical or drug screen issued by a qualified medical physician assigned by the Human Resources Division. Under the requirements of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of Lodi has been designated as a drug-free workplace.

APPOINTMENT – At the time of appointment all candidates will be required to execute an oath of allegiance and complete Form I-9 – Employment Eligibility Verification in compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act. United States citizenship is not required. All new appointees are required to successfully complete a probationary period of twelve months.

PAY RANGE – The pay range is shown on the job announcement. Eligibility for the first merit increase is effective after 12 months and for additional merit increases after one year intervals until the employee has reached the maximum step. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required Medicare contribution.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This bulletin does not constitute an express or implied contract.