Principal Development Specialist at County of Riverside in Indio, California

Job Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Riverside County Office of Economic Development (RivCoED) is excited to announce an excellent career opportunity for a Principal Development Specialist to join their Economic Development unit in Indio.

In this role, the Principal Development Specialist will play a key part in fostering positive relationships between the County and the public, as well as with various stakeholders, including Chambers, Cities, State and Federal partners, small business organizations, educational institutions, and other local and regional economic development organizations. RivCoeD collaborates to foster a business-friendly atmosphere to cultivate thriving communities and economic vitality, elevating quality of life, promoting private sector investment and propelling regional economic growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the County of Riverside. The successful candidate will help promote the County's objectives by developing messaging, identifying target audiences, and creating strategies to effectively engage journalists, bloggers, investors, and the general public in support of Riverside County's economic goals.

In addition to these responsibilities, the Principal Development Specialist will oversee various programs and budgets, represent the County on local boards, groups, and committees and serve as the Center Director of the Coachella Valley Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC) and oversee this program hosted by RivCoED. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in economic development, including business retention and attraction strategies, small business development, facilitating site selection, the permitting process, and navigating entitlements, budgeting, management of 3 RivCoED staff members and 7 CVSBDC consultants. This role also requires the ability to market the County to potential developers, retailers, and other investors, advancing Riverside County's economic development goals.

Key Qualifications:

• Comprehensive understanding of legal requirements


• Confidence in communication and presentation, with strong writing skills


• Excellent organizational, project management, and time management abilities


• Creativity, self-motivation, and a positive approach to leadership


• Superior critical thinking skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment and solve problems effectively


• Proven experience in economic development, including working with the Board of Supervisors (BOS), business retention, attraction, and facilitating development processes and small business development

This position offers a unique opportunity for a dynamic individual to contribute to the County's growth and development through strategic engagement with key stakeholders and economic initiatives.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Office of Economic Development (formerly the Economic Development Agency) oversees Administration, Accounting and Finance, Economic Development, the International Business Office, the Riverside County Library System, and Special Districts.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate, directly or through subordinate supervisors, the administrative and operational activities of a major program function, department unit, or department projects in geographical regions.

• Participate in the development and review of department policies and goals, particularly as they affect the incumbent's assigned division/unit.

• Analyze, interpret and explain laws, statutes, ordinances, and procedures to subordinate staff and large committees of officials and public; lead, participate and/or represent the department in state and/ or County-wide activities and programs.

• Review and evaluate existing programs for overall effectiveness and efficiency in meeting division/unit goals and initiating action for operational improvements as necessary; direct administrative, organizational and governmental financial systems and programs.

• Assist in the preparation of the department budget by compiling and analyzing data on staffing, support resources and program needs within the assigned division/unit.

• Assume responsibility for a variety of personnel activities including performance evaluations, training, selection, and disciplinary actions.

• Develop and maintain operational procedures for use by staff; establish and maintain working relationships with federal, state and local agencies, County departments, community groups, and private-sector businesses and developers.

• Negotiate, administer and monitor contracts and agreements; write Requests for Proposals and Quotes, reports and correspondence.

• Provide technical advice to businesses and developers, County departments and staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPTION I

Experience: Two years as a Supervising Development Specialist with the County of Riverside.

OPTION II

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, which included 30 semester or 45 quarter units of coursework preferably in business or public administration, behavioral science, social science, political science, public policy, urban studies, education, marketing, economics, environmental sciences, geography, or a job-related field similar to that utilized within the County of Riverside Office of Economic Development, Department of Housing & Workforce Solutions, or Facilities Management Department. (Additional professional, technical, or senior clerical experience in a job-related field similar to that utilized within the County of Riverside Office of Economic Development, Department of Housing & Workforce Solutions, or Facilities Management Department may substitute for the required education on the basis of one year of qualifying full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of the required education.)

Experience: Six years of professional experience, including two years of supervisory experience, in a job-related field similar to that utilized within the County of Riverside Office of Economic Development, Department of Housing & Workforce Solutions, or Facilities Management Department. (A master's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, behavioral science, social science, political science, public policy, urban studies, marketing, education, economics, environmental sciences, geography, or a job-related field similar to that utilized within the County of Riverside Office of Economic Development, Department of Housing & Workforce Solutions, or Facilities Management Department may substitute for one year of the required non-supervisory experience.)

EXAMPLES OF BUSINESS & COMMUNITY SERVICES/HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION & WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FIELDS: Economic development; housing and community development; commercial development; real estate; facilities management; community services (e.g., parks, community centers or lighting, water and utilities programs); workforce development (e.g., employment programs or job training programs); eligibility or social programs; finance; contract monitoring/management; environmental or sustainability programs; foreign trade; public relations; marketing; fundraising; film; aviation; human resources; museums; libraries.

ALL OPTIONS

Knowledge of: Principles, methods and techniques of supervision; principles of public administration and personnel management; techniques of administrative and budgetary analysis; federal regulations for the Community Development Block Grant Program, housing and/or job training programs.

Ability to: Plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate the work of a division; train staff members; schedule, assign and evaluate the work of others; assess program design and implementation; analyze issues and data, generate and evaluate alternatives and develop effective courses of action; understand, interpret and apply provisions of various governmental regulations, policies and contracts; prepare and present reports and recommendations; establish and maintain effective working and public relationships; represent the County effectively and negotiate with representatives of other agencies and firms.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
This recruitment is open to all applicants.

For questions regarding this recruitment contact Ebelyn Skinner at eskinner@rivco.org.

________________________________________________________________________________________

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).

Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• 
  Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.


• 
  Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.


• 
  Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
  

A new member is defined as any of the following:

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY - LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD): Benefit pays 66.67% of earnings to a maximum of $10,000 per month; 30-day waiting period; pays to age 65. Benefit can be coordinated with other available leave balances to provide up to 100% of pay.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

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