Economic Development Specialist I

The City of Bellflower is looking for an energetic and forward-thinking professional to join our team as an Economic Development Specialist I. In this exciting role, you'll help shape the future of our vibrant community by supporting local entrepreneurs, connecting small businesses with valuable resources, and helping attract new investment and development throughout the city. As part of a collaborative and service-oriented team, you'll play a key role in strengthening Bellflower's local economy, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike. If you're passionate about community growth, business success, and making a lasting impact, we invite you to bring your ideas and enthusiasm to the City of Bellflower. The Economic Development Specialist I supports the department's initiatives by performing, coordinating, and administering a variety of technical and administrative duties. Assignments will involve regular interaction with Bellflower businesses, as well as attendance at partner events and meetings. The ideal candidate will be a highly organized, detail-oriented self-starter with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, along with a passion for supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth within the community to help make Bellflower a vibrant place to live, work, play, and invest. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. The first review of applications will be on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m . Applications received after that date may not be considered. This recruitment requires that you upload a cover letter, resume, and degree with your application to be considered complete . Applicants appearing best qualified based upon a review of the application, materials, and responses to supplemental questions will be invited to participate in the testing process. Under general supervision, performs responsible professional work in the preparation and implementation of the City's economic development projects and programs, federal community development and housing programs. Assists in providing administrative, budgetary, grant, and work-flow support to assigned departmental projects and programs; analyzes programmatic practices and procedures and makes preliminary recommendations for organizational, operational, policy, and procedural improvements; conducts needs analyses, feasibility studies, and assists in evaluating assigned projects and programs; develops, summarizes, and maintains administrative and fiscal records; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and acts as liaison with various community, public, and regulatory agencies; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May provide technical and functional direction to lower-level staff. This is the equivalent to the entry-level class in the Management Analyst series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic professional administrative support experience perform analytical and technical work within an assigned department. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. This classification is distinguished from the Economic Development Specialist II in that the latter has a full understanding of departmental services, programs, and projects and City policies and procedures; researches, analyzes, and develops solutions to a wide range of issues; demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions; and primarily deals with policies and operational, financial, budgetary, legal, regulatory, political, and/or administrative issues which are complex in nature and diverse in scope. Examples of

TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

(Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Performs professional-level administrative and programmatic work in such areas as budget development, financial administration and reporting, grants, purchasing, database management, contract administration, management analysis, public information, and program evaluation. Plans and administers complex economic development and housing programs and projects; develops and monitors program budgets, including revenue projections, multi-year cash flow analysis, cost containment, and grant funds disbursement; directs all aspects of assigned programs, including legal and regulatory compliance to avoid substantial fines; receives, reviews, and organizes program applications; ensures that awards stay within funding limits; participates on various committees; sends award letters to program applicants; represents the City to applicants. Participates in the development and administration of departmental budgets; monitors revenues and expenditures; identifies and recommends resolutions for budgetary problems. Serves as a liaison to employees, public, and private organizations, community groups, and other organizations; provides information and assistance to the public regarding assigned programs and services; receives and responds to complaints and questions relating to assigned area of responsibility; reviews problems and recommends corrective actions. Participates in the development and implementation of new or revised programs, systems, procedures, and methods of operation; compiles and analyzes data and makes recommendations regarding staffing, equipment, and facility needs. Conducts analytical and operational studies regarding departmental and programmatic activities, including complex financial, budget, personnel, operational, or administrative issues or questions; evaluates alternatives, makes recommendations, and assists with the implementation of procedural, administrative, and/or operational changes after approval; prepares comprehensive technical records and reports, identifies alternatives, and makes and justifies preliminary recommendations. May assist in the preparation of grant proposals/applications, the development and reporting of alternate funding sources and ensures compliance with federal, state, local, and funding agency and City accounting and reporting requirements and applicable laws, regulations, and professional accounting practices. Prepares and submits City Council agenda reports and various other commission, committee, and staff reports, resolutions, graphics, presentation materials, ordinances, and correspondence regarding assigned activities. Confers with other management staff regarding provision of administrative and support services, including contracts, agreements and grant reporting. Maintains accurate records and files; develops storage of records and retention schedules. Assists with and coordinates and organizes community events; represents City to residents in explaining City policies; provides outreach and public education programs to the community. Participates on a variety of interdisciplinary committees and commissions and represents the City to a variety of community and stakeholder groups. Communicates orally, in writing, or through graphic representations and statistical summaries with colleagues, managers, employees, the public, organized employee groups and representatives of various organizations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of government agency management. Basic principles and practices of business expansion, attraction, and retention. Basic principles, practices, and procedures of funding sources and grant funds disbursement. Basic project and/or program management, analytical processes, and report preparation techniques. Programs including without limitation, economic development, federal community development and housing, purchasing, finance, budgeting, and other related governmental programs. Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures. Basic principles and practices of public administration as applied to operational unit and program administration. Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. Sources of information related to a broad range of economic development, housing, and real property programs, services, and administration. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the Community Development Block Grant program, the HOME Partnership program, Successor Housing Agency funds and regulations, and acquisition and disposition of real property. Basic public relations techniques. Basic principles and practices of contract administration, public agency budget development and administration, and sound financial management policies and procedures. Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to economic development, housing, and real property. Record keeping principles and procedures. Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment and applications related to the work. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

Coordinate programmatic administrative, budgeting, and fiscal reporting activities. Perform responsible and difficult administrative work involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative. Conduct effective management, administrative, and operational studies. Plan, organize, and carry out assignments from management staff with minimal supervision. Conduct research on a wide variety of administrative topics including economic development programs, grant funding, state and federal regulations, contract feasibility, budget and staffing proposals, and operational alternatives. Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner. Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods. Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques. Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials. Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations. Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals at conferences, virtually, over the phone, at the public counter or in the field. Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize one's own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. Operate and maintain modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in planning, urban planning, business administration, public administration, the social sciences, economics or a related field and the equivalent of one (1) year of responsible experience performing administrative, operational, management, or financial analysis in municipal government setting.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license and insurability at regular rates for the City's automobile insurance. Physical Demands Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. Environmental Elements Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.