Business Navigator (Liaison)

Salinas is experiencing rapid growth, and the Economic Development team is seeking a dedicated Business Navigator (Liaison) to help lead this exciting transformation. In this role, you will connect local businesses with city resources, foster partnerships, and support innovative projects that drive economic progress. As a Business Navigator (Liaison), you’ll collaborate with a diverse team committed to making Salinas a hub of opportunity and prosperity. If you are passionate about community engagement, business development, and creating positive change, join us and play a key part in shaping the future of Salinas.

Summary of Duties:  The Business Navigator serves as a single point of contact for businesses navigating the permitting process and works closely with local businesses to provide information about business plan assistance, financing and grant programs.  This position supports in business attraction, retention and expansion efforts and collaborates with other agencies and community partners to develop and promote small business resources, programs and services. The Business Navigator also assists in development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities involving community and business development, city beautification/appearance, and related issues.  

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is single level classification in the Economic Development Division within City Administration Department. 

Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Economic Development or designee.   May exercise supervision over technical and clerical personnel, volunteers, programs and/or projects.

1. Coordinates and performs project management, administrative and technical duties necessary to achieve project objectives in the areas of implementing economic development activities identified in community plans, small business assistance and business financing
2. Provides direct assistance to businesses navigating the startup process to provide information about business plan assistance, financing, grant programs, and permitting (in coordination with other City Departments)
3. Builds and maintains relationships with business, community, and educational partners, for coordinated business resources, technical assistance, and financial support including co-hosting events and workshops and participating in stakeholder meetings and networking events.
4. Continually develops, maintains and promotes business resource information to provide online tools to enhance understanding of the permitting process, and other key information needed to start a business in Salinas
5. Assists in the development of marketing and promotional materials to promote the implementation of economic development activities
6. Develops, promotes and administers grant and micro-loan programs to support business growth
7. Provides a single point of contact for businesses
8. Arranges meetings across departments to review project related information, evaluate permitting requirements and remove barriers for project approval
9. Participates in the development of business assistance goals and recommendations and implements program objectives, policies and priorities to further the implementation of community plan economic development goals, policies and actions
10. Recruits potential businesses
11. Oversees contract business support services 
12. Support efforts to Identify available commercial properties and connects prospective businesses with property owners or brokers; convenes regular meetings or events with commercial real estate brokers and property owners to maintain awareness of available sites and strengthen referral relationships
13. Maintains a customer relationship management (CRM) database of businesses using City-approved platforms, and tracks and reports on key economic development indicators, including new and discontinued business licenses
14. May occasionally make presentations to business, community groups, and council
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices of economic and community development and demographic research and analysis
• Principles and practices of business formation, expansion, and attraction and permitting procedures
• Principles and practices of marketing, social media, and communications
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration, and organizational and administrative systems 
• Laws, codes, rules and regulations governing municipal activities and operations, and economic development and land use
• Use and application of modern data and information systems and technologies, including spreadsheets, word processing and database applications
• Techniques of public presentation and group dynamics

Ability to: 

• Assist new and/or expanding businesses through the regulatory processes
• Be sensitive to the needs and desires of the business community and work with existing businesses to help eliminate barriers to retention and expansion
• Act as a liaison to business organizations, property owners, business owners, and other community stakeholders to learn the needs and interests of businesses and help communicate these to appropriate city advisory and policy-making bodies 
• Learn the needs and interests of businesses and help communicate these to appropriate city advisory and policy-making bodies
• Understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, administrative policies and rules, and direct their application
• Analyze and make recommendations regarding complex and non-routine problems, programs, and systems
• Organize and direct a function, program, or project
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Write and develop creative and engaging content for presentation, websites, social media, and other communication channels
• Utilize modern information and communication technologies
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Conduct meetings, workshops and trainings

Education and Experience: 
(Proof of education must be provided at time of application submittal; applications may be considered incomplete without this information. Copies of degrees, diplomas and/or unofficial transcripts will be accepted for this process. The selected candidate will be required to provide official documentation.) 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business/public administration, public policy, urban planning, economics, sociology or a closely related field; AND  

Two (2) years of journey-level experience in one or more of the following areas: economic development, community development, business assistance, commercial development, public and or private finance   

OR
Associate’s degree or completed 60 semester units at an accredited college or university in business administration, economics, sociology, public policy or related field; AND

Four (4) years of journey-level experience in one or more of the following areas: economic development, community development, business assistance, commercial development, public and/or private finance

OR
High school diploma/G.E.D. and six (6) years of journey-level experience in one or more of the following areas: economic development, community development, business assistance, commercial development, public and/or private finance.Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, computer, business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read printed materials, visual display terminals, detailed fine writing on plans and specifications for development projects, and distinguish colors for design evaluation purposes; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead as needed; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment, physical strength to lift up to 20 lbs.; physical stamina sufficient to sit and stand for prolonged periods of time; occasionally working outdoors in sun, heat, fog and rain; walk on uneven surfaces; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions. 

Business office working environment subject to sitting at a desk or standing at a counter for long periods of time, bending, crouching, or kneeling at files, pushing/pulling of file drawers and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time working at a computer terminal. Requires attendance at off-site locations, for  training, out-of-office meetings city sponsored events, and other off-site events. Occasionally may be required to work evenings and/or weekends.

Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills which may be required.

For questions regarding this recruitment process, please contact Sylvia Enriquez, Human Resources Manager at [email protected] or (831) 758-7259.