Urban Economic Analyst III

The Position

The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Economic & Workforce Development Department?

The mission of the Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD) is to ensure that all communities in Oakland are healthy, stable, and thriving by creating economic opportunity for all Oaklanders and equitable conditions to build inter-generational wealth .

The Business Development Division of EWDD leads business recruitment and retention efforts, small business support initiatives, and the City’s ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific programs managed by Business Development include the Neighborhood Business Assistance Center, Business Improvement District Program, Facade and Tenant Improvement Program, Merchant Corridor Safety Ambassador Program, Immigrant Micro Business Support Program, and small/local Construction Contractor Training Program.

The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill (1) Urban Economic Analyst III vacancy in the Business Development Division of EWDD.

As a n U rban E conomic A nalyst III in Business Development Division , you will work to support Oakland’s business community by working on initiatives to stimulate business attraction, retention, and expansion. Your work will include managing business support programs, designing and implementing attraction and retention strategies targeted to different business sectors, neighborhoods, business districts, and opportunity sites. You’ll support business owners through one-on-one interaction, as well as work with other C ity departments and a wide range of stakeholder groups to help businesses thrive!

We are looking for someone who is :

• An effective and energetic collaborator . You will work productively with a broad range of people , including City staff, business and community stakeholders, elected officials, and the public, in order to address the needs of business owners and community groups.
  
• Adaptable . You adapt to ongoing development in policies, procedures, and laws, as well as respond to multiple priorities and deadlines.
  
• A problem-solver . You think critically and are resourceful in finding solutions to address barriers facing the business community.
  
• Task- o riented . You initiate tasks and work to accomplish them.
  
• A strong writer . You communicate complex ideas clearly and succinctly in City Council reports, emails and other written communication.
  
• E xperienced . You are knowledgeable with core economic and business development principles and programs (business attraction, formation, expansion, and retention).
  
• P assionate . You are excited about helping cities and small businesses thrive through equitable economic development.
  

What you will typically be responsible for :

• Collaborating with other staff and the business community to develop and implement economic development plans and programs.
  
• Working with other staff to design and execute strategies to engage and attract different business sectors.
  
• Making public presentations of economic development plans and programs.
  
• Addressing the needs of individual business owners, as well as business stakeholder groups, by responding to phone and email inquiries and holding in-person meetings as needed.
  
• Creating, negotiating, and administering contracts with technical assistance providers and other professional service providers.
  
• Contribut ing to and prepar ing communications and marketing materials (flyers, brochures, online resources) to promote programs and initiatives.
  
• Drafting reports for projects and programs to receive City Council approval.
  
• Preparing grants applications for federal and state funds.
  

Read the complete job description by clicking below:

Urban Economic A n alyst III

*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!

Working f or the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will help to design and implement programs that address profound changes in the economy.
  
• You will be part of a small and dynamic division of colleagues committed to public service who find creative ways to respond to the challenges of business owners.
  

• You will work in an exciting and fast-paced environment where creativity, problem-solving and leadership are celebrated.
  
• You will have a tangible impact on the success of individual business owners through face-to-face interactions.
  
• You will help create economic opportunity for all Oaklanders through your work.
  

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will respond to a wide range of issues that small business owners face.
  
• You will need to gain familiarity with navigating a variety of City departments and services.
  
• You will need to gain familiarity with a wide range of regulations (City, state, federal) and how they impact the services the City provides.
  
• You will occasionally work on projects that are politically sensitive or controversial.
  
• You will balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
  

Competencies Required:

Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative) : Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment

Adaptability : Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires

Critical Thinking : Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims

Customer Focus : Attending to the needs and expectations of customers

Decision Making : Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner

Displaying Ownership and Accountability : Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely , and cost-effective results

Innovative Problem Solving : Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things

Professional & Technical Expertise : Applying technical subject matter to the job

Project Management : Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives

Writing : Communicating effectively in writing

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in economics, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

Two years of experience comparable to Urban Economic Analyst II in the City of Oakland.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements:Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of economic research principles and techniques to stimulate economic development in urban areas
  
• Experience developing strategies and outreach targeting different business sectors and communities
  
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local resources for economic development
  

• Experience seeking out and procuring grants, especially to fund economic development projects
  
• Familiarity with Oakland communities, stakeholders, challenges and opportunities
  

Supplemental Information

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise , w hich will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts . The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is the week of August 26, 2024 .

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise , performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized . If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame .

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What’s in it for you?

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule . This is a hybrid position. You will be expected to work at least two days in City offices, with remote work possible for the remainder of the week.
  
• 15 paid holidays
  
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
  
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
  
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
  
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
  
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
  
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
  
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
  
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
  

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner , applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) .

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs . If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday . You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Ellaine Reyes at ereyes2@oaklandca.gov .

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

Closing Date/Time: 8/19/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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