Development Officer - Production and Preservation/Market-Rate & Asset Management - Housing Depatment

The City of San José Housing Department is a leader in the development of affordable housing. Its mission is to strengthen and to revitalize our community through housing and neighborhood investment.  The Housing Department provides loans for the development of affordable housing and manages a portfolio of over 17,000 housing units with a total value that exceeds $700 million. Over the next five years, the City Council has a goal of creating 25,000 housing units, 10,000 of which will be affordable.  The Housing Department has an operating budget of approximately $19 million and 112 employees. The Housing Department is committed to creating and supporting a diverse work environment with a staff that values inclusion.  

The Housing Department is currently seeking to fill two (2) full-time Development Officer vacancies in the Production and Preservation division.

The salary range for this classification is $118,460.16 - $144,318.72.

This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Development Officer – Affordable Production & Preservation/Market-Rate:

The Development Officer in the Affordable Production & Preservation/Market-Rate team will be responsible for overseeing the financing, underwriting, and implementation of housing developments, including new construction and preservation projects. The position is responsible for evaluating project feasibility, structuring financing recommendations, negotiating loan and regulatory agreements, and advancing the City's affordable housing policy objectives. The Development Officer works collaboratively with developers, lenders, public agencies, and community partners to facilitate the production and preservation of affordable housing while protecting the City's financial interests. Tasks may include, but not be limited to: 

• Managing housing programs or projects to include: determining the scope of the project, developing strategies and policies, coordinating staff and other resources, providing technical assistance/support, managing project budgets, negotiating contracts and agreements, writing reports, approving change orders, and leading the marketing, promotion and outreach activities; 

• Underwriting loans for the production, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable rental housing with tax credit and/or tax-exempt bond financing, with a focus on determining feasibility and effect on the City’s repayments, risks and policy objectives; 

• Reviewing financial statements and proformas for feasibility; 

• Overseeing the administration of the City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Incentive Programs; 

• Managing support staff.

The ideal candidate for this position will be comfortable working in a diverse environment and have extensive experience at a management level in banking, lending or real estate development with a strong underwriting, loan servicing and regulatory compliance background. In addition, the ideal candidate will be a team player and have demonstrated values that align with the City of San Jose’s values of: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect, Celebration and Diversity.

Development Officer - Asset Management:

The Development Officer in the Asset Management team will be responsible for overseeing the long-term financial performance, regulatory compliance, and asset strategy of the City's affordable housing portfolio. The position is responsible for ensuring compliance with financing and affordability agreements, protecting the City's financial interests, and maintaining the long-term viability of affordable housing developments. The City's housing portfolio consists of more than 200 multifamily residential developments comprising over 22,000 affordable housing units. Tasks may include, but not be limited to:

• Monitoring the financial performance of the City's affordable housing portfolio by reviewing annual operating budgets, audited financial statements, reserve balances, cash flow analyses, loan servicing activities, and project financial performance to identify risks and recommend appropriate strategies to protect both the borrower and the City's investment;

• Administering and enforcing financing agreements, regulatory agreements, affordability restrictions, and other loan documents by interpreting and applying local, state, and federal regulations, negotiating amendments, processing loan modifications, collecting fees and residual receipt payments, and ensuring compliance with City lending requirements;

• Overseeing regulatory compliance activities, including reviewing tenant income certifications, rent schedules, management plans, insurance coverage, physical inspection reports, and other compliance documentation to ensure adherence to affordability requirements, fair housing laws, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations;

• Conducting project risk assessments and portfolio analyses to evaluate the financial and operational health of affordable housing developments, developing asset management strategies, and preparing recommendations, reports, and presentations for executive management and the City Council;

• Managing housing programs or projects, including developing policies and procedures, coordinating with internal staff, property owners, lenders, regulatory agencies, and community partners, providing technical assistance, negotiating agreements, and supporting the implementation of departmental initiatives.

The ideal candidate for this position will be comfortable working in a diverse environment and have extensive experience in affordable housing finance, real estate asset management, banking, lending, or commercial real estate. The successful candidate will possess strong analytical, financial, and regulatory compliance skills; have experience interpreting complex legal and financial documents; and demonstrate the ability to evaluate project performance while balancing risk management with long-term affordable housing preservation objectives. In addition, the ideal candidate will be a team player and have demonstrated values that align with the City of San José's values of: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect, Celebration, and Diversity.

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.Knowledge of urban renewal, neighborhood preservation, low-income housing programs or affordable housing development.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Analytical Thinking - Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Fiscal Management - Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

Project Management - Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.  Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. 

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Irina Orozco @ [email protected]