Senior Development Officer (Market-Rate) - Housing Department

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City of San José Housing Department is a leader in the production and preservation of affordable housing, and solutions to homelessness. Its mission is to strengthen and to revitalize our community through housing and community development programs. The Housing Department has an operating budget of approximately $19 million annually and 112 employees, the Department administers multiple local, state, and federal funds. The Housing Department is committed to creating and supporting a diverse work environment with a staff that values inclusion.

Position Duties

The Housing Department is currently seeking to fill one full-time Market-Rate Senior Development Officer (Senior Project Manager) vacancy in the Residential Development Division - Ordinance and Fees team.

Salary range for this classification is $140,846.16 - $171,509.52 annually.

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.

This position, reporting to Housing Policy and Planning Administrator or Division Manager is responsible for supervising and coordinating the most complex market rate housing development projects and programs in one or more of the following areas or any other designated areas: housing, mixed-use housing, real estate development, neighborhood development, State and federal grant management, housing policy development, housing program development, rehabilitation, or construction of housing economic and community development projects.

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Manages market rate 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.
• Works with governmental and private agencies at all levels to secure funding for development and grant programs; includes assisting in packaging bond issues and other large, complex funding sources.
• Supervises City staff, volunteers, general public and other resources in the implementation of capital improvement and other projects, including: planning and building review and approval, escrow closings for acquired properties, historic issues, leases, loan underwriting, payment processing, grant administration, and other issues depending on area of assignment. Leads a cross-functional team to implement a housing program or development project.
• Supervises or leads others in and performs the more difficult ongoing aspects of development and asset management.
• Attends various meetings with staff, administrators, developers, and various private, non-profit, and community organizations to advance various housing and homeless programs and projects; makes presentations and represents the City with high levels of government and community organizations.
• Directs the selection, negotiation, preparation and implementation of various loans, grants, and contracts.
• Drafts memorandums, reports, and prepares presentation material for Department leadership.
• Project manages new housing, including developing program guidelines, facilitating staff workgroups, establishing project deliverables, timelines and outcomes, documenting decisions, and facilitating communication across project stakeholders.
• Supervises supervisory, professional and clerical staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations and any other recommendations related to the change in status of employees.
• Performs other related work as required.
  
  

For additional information on the job’s duties, qualifications, and expectations, please refer to the full Class Specification document: Click here

Minimum Qualifications

Education:Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Housing, Geography, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology or related field

Experience: five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional level, directly related work experience, including two (2) years of supervisory or development project lead experience.

Acceptable Substitutions:Additional related experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Other Qualifications

• Experience in financial statement analysis, development pro forma review, and underwriting of market-rate housing projects is strongly preferred.
• Strong fiscal and real estate finance acumen, including experience evaluating project feasibility, development economics, capital structures, and financial risk.
• Familiarity with the City of San José’s development review, entitlement, permitting, and implementation processes. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies affecting housing and real estate development in San José.
• Knowledge of San José development processes, housing regulations, and local implementation tools such as the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and related incentive programs.
• Knowledge of development funding and financing processes, including lender requirements, capital stack considerations, and sources of project financing.
• Knowledge of opportunity zones and other place-based economic development tools that may affect project feasibility and investment strategy.
• Knowledge of community participation processes, stakeholder engagement practices, and the issues that commonly arise in neighborhood and public review settings.
• Experience negotiating complex development-related agreements, business terms, and project obligations with developers, consultants, attorneys, and other stakeholders.
• Experience managing housing or mixed-use development projects through multiple phases, including feasibility, due diligence, entitlement, negotiation, and implementation.
• Strong understanding of market-rate housing development practices, timelines, risks, and execution challenges.
• Experience coordinating across multiple internal departments and external partners to move projects forward and resolve issues.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess project impacts, identify risks, and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, memos, presentations, and recommendations for management and decision-makers.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail, sound judgment, and responsiveness.
  
  

Proficiency with Excel and other business tools used for financial analysis, project tracking, and reporting. Knowledge of loan management practices and financial monitoring sufficient to evaluate agreements, compliance obligations, and ongoing project performance.

Basic Competencies:

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.

• Highly skilled in financial modeling, pro forma analysis, and project underwriting.
• Strong knowledge of real estate finance, housing and mixed-use development, market analysis, marketing, and valuation principles.
• Knowledge of loan underwriting, lender requirements, and title and escrow processes.

Knowledge of urban renewal, neighborhood preservation, housing policy, and public-sector development programs, including low-income or affordable housing programs where relevant.
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.
Computer Skills - Highly experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
Analytical Thinking - Strong analytical skills approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.
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.
Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

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. 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. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Eduardo Gonzalez at Eduardo1.Gonzalez@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 4/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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