This City of Bend announces an exciting opportunity within the Community Development Department for one (1) full-time, regular Development Navigator. This opportunity is non-represented and FLSA exempt (overtime ineligible).

The City of Bend is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. At the City of Bend, we don't just accept differences; we value them. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and support the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Oregon Equal Pay Act.

For a quick look at what we are looking for, please review our Recruitment Brochure.

Reporting to the Community Development Director, this professional level position is responsible for actively promoting, communicating with, and supporting the development sectors in the City of Bend that are connected to and reflect Council goals and priorities. This is accomplished through actions that facilitate the planning, coordination, development, and implementation of urban development focused programs, projects, and planning within the City of Bend. The incumbent acts as a facilitator and liaison between property owners, developers, community members and City staff on large development projects. This public-facing position collaborates with various City departments, policymakers, and local development partners in implementing a range of private development projects and initiatives focused on enhancing urban development opportunities for housing/employment growth in alignment with Council goals and priorities. The ideal candidate for this position is a systems-level thinker and problem-solver with the ability to facilitate coordination between multiple invested parties with varied interest in order to advance progress toward City Council goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Communicates with the Bend development community serving as a first point of contact for developers actively developing in Bend or seeking to do so.

• Encourages Council and development industry stakeholder engagement through community forums, public meetings and other public engagement processes.
• Provides direct assistance for developers, that are connected to and reflect Council goals and priorities, working through local regulatory processes relating to the City of Bend.
• Provides support and assistance to landowners and developers in understanding City processes for new development projects including due diligence assistance, entitlement and incentive processes as well as being a liaison to help connect them to appropriate City departments and staff.
• May work on special projects related to urban development, tourism, downtown, and development policy as assigned by the Director.
• Manages public information, outreach, promotion and marketing functions about the City's development policy efforts.
• Provides support to City projects to assure adequate outreach and communication is provided to the development stakeholders in advance of large projects.
• Proactively facilitates and maintains a positive, effective working relationship with, and between, the development community, City departments, and other organizations.
• Works with City staff to ensure Council presentations and discussions include appropriate information relating to potential development community impacts.
• In an emergency event or an officially declared State of Emergency, responds as directed to ensure the restoration of essential public services, facilities, and infrastructure.
• Performs related duties as necessary to achieve the objectives of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications

• Working knowledge of principles and practices of urban development, economic development, construction and project management.
• Working knowledge and understanding of the need for and intent of land use, engineering and building code regulations and processes.
• Working knowledge of land use and development review principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, codes regulations and policies which may impact business or economic development activities.
• Ability to analyze issues and prepare recommendations based on findings including the comprehension and application of concepts to solve problems, develop plans and implement multi-faceted and multi-phased projects.
• Ability to prioritize, manage and complete multiple project tasks.
• Analyze and evaluate technical data and financial plans; evaluate alternative approaches and generate effective solutions.
• Establish effective working relationships with the public, City staff consultants, other agencies and the development community.
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and other stakeholders sufficient to exchange or convey information to provide and receive work direction.
• Deliver effective and persuasive presentations before a variety of audiences.
• Skill in participating on a team and in a team environment including the ability to develop a team approach to producing high quality results. Communicate effectively with diverse customers, employees, contractors, other agencies, public officials and the public.
• Exercise sound, independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines.

Ability Requirements

Effectively and persuasively communicate and generate public involvement with others verbally and in writing, including by phone, e-mail, mass-communication tools, via media interviews, or in person.

• Understand, remember, communicate and apply complex oral and/or written instructions and factual information.
• Attend public functions and meetings outside of standard work hours, including weeknight evenings.
• Maintain sustained concentration on computer screens and use keyboards and a variety of peripherals.
• Ability to analyze and compile technical and statistical data.
• Strategize, develop, and implement policy initiatives including those related to citizen involvement and media interaction.
• Provide public relations, communication, and marketing support.
• Keep up to date on current issues, trends, practices and principles of comprehensive long/short range urban planning.
• Assist in budget management and administration.
• Implement project team management principles and practices across multi-disciplinary teams where others may serve in senior positions or serve as subject matter experts.
• A working understanding of the policymaking process at local, state, and federal levels.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university in business administration, planning and community development, public administration or other related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities as outlined in this job description.
• 4 to 5 years' experience in a similar position and/or performing similar tasks.

Required Certifications

• Current and valid Driver's license per City policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree (M.A./M.S.) in Urban Planning, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications or a closely related field.