Community Development Specialist III

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for Community Development Specialist III as established by the City of San Diego. Typically, this requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field, and several years of professional experience in community or economic development.

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, public administration, business administration, economics, or a closely related field.
• Four years of full-time professional experience in community development, economic development, or a related area, including experience with contract management, budgeting, and stakeholder coordination.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license at the time of appointment.
• Ability to analyze complex data and prepare complete reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to community development programs, including HUD guidelines.
• Experience with grant administration and compliance monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

Perform complex professional planning, support, and coordination of community development and/or economic development programs, activities, and services.

• Negotiate, implement, manage, and monitor contracts or projects that include community development, economic development, business finance, community revitalization, housing rehabilitation, real estate, public infrastructure, or public service components.
• Develop and manage budgets for assigned programs and projects.
• Coordinate project activities with community advisory boards, the community at-large, private sector stakeholders, other governmental entities, and elected officials.
• Attract and retain business enterprises through outreach and assistance.
• Provide business assistance and business outreach services to support local economic growth.
• Promote workforce development and sustainability planning and development.
• Conduct data collection and research to inform program decisions.
• Assist in the preparation of community development or economic development studies and reports, such as the 5-Year Consolidated Plan, the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report, and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.

Must be able to work full-time (40 hours per week) in San Diego, CA.

• Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment screening.
• May be required to attend evening or weekend meetings as needed.
• Compliance with all City of San Diego policies and procedures.

Competitive salary range of $98,322

• $118,810 per year.
• Complete benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement benefits through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Potential for future wage increases and additional compensation opportunities as noted in the job announcement.

The City of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer.

• Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the selection process.
• The salary range is subject to future wage increases as per the city's compensation plan.
• For questions about the position, contact the City of San Diego Human Resources Department.
• The job is located at 1200 3rd Ave., Suite 300, MS 51P, San Diego, CA 92101.
• This is a full-time, permanent position.
• The closing date is July 27, 2026; late applications will not be accepted.

The City of San Diego is the second-largest city in California and the eighth-largest in the United States, serving a diverse population of over 1.4 million residents. The city government provides many services including public safety, infrastructure, parks, and community development. The Community Development Specialist III role is part of the city's efforts to supports economic growth, revitalize neighborhoods, and improve quality of life through strategic planning and program management. Working for the City of San Diego offers a stable career with competitive benefits and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the community. City of San Diego is named as the hiring organisation for the Community Development Specialist III post.