We Value Equal Employment Opportunity!

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military, and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

About the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD)

The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) supports the City's ongoing economic vitality through key programs focused on neighborhood commercial corridors, workforce development, joint development projects, industry focused business recruitment and retention, small business assistance, and international business development. OEWD’s goal is to work continually to make San Francisco an even better place to live, work and do business.  OEWD is a dynamic Department in the City and County of San Francisco that reports directly to the Mayor.

Office of Small Business (OSB)

Directed by the Small Business Commission, the Office of Small Business (OSB) functions as the City's central point of information and referral for entrepreneurs and small businesses located in the City and County of San Francisco. The Office of Small Business and Small Business Commission are committed to supporting the growth and prosperity of all small businesses, especially those owned by historically marginalized communities, to foster an inclusive and thriving San Francisco.

OSB, Small Business Assistance Center and 49 S. Van Ness Permit Center

The OSB, Small Business Assistance Center provides business assistance for small businesses and entrepreneurs, including information on required license and permits, technical assistance, financing options, and other business resources to help businesses start, grow, and thrive.  The 49 S. Van Ness Permit Center provides a centralized place for construction, special events, and business permitting.

Appointment Type: Permanent-Exempt (PEX) Appointment. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive civil service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the appointing officer.

Position Description

Under the direction of the Executive Director and supervision of the Business Assistance Center Supervisor, the Small Business Permit Specialist will provide direct assistance for businesses going through the permitting process. The Small Business Permit Specialist will guide business owners and their representatives through the entire process by providing technical assistance, information and advice on the regulatory requirements and navigation of the permit process. Provides the necessary information on employment regulations, business incentives and technical assistance needed to successfully open a business. The successful applicant will interface with the public and is responsible for providing excellent customer service to the public.

This position will work at the 49 S. Van Ness Permit Center and is required to work with Permit Center staff to ensure services are well-coordinated and effectively targeted to meet the Permit Center’s operation requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individualized assessments to help business applicants understand applicable permitting requirements.
• Support businesses as they prepare for the permitting process and provide strategic support to identify the appropriate permit sequence and timeline.
• Guide applicants through each permit with the applicable permitting agencies.
• Provide information on additional city regulations and requirements required to operate a business.
• Refer businesses to other resources, including business counseling, marketing/financial support, grant and loan opportunities, etc.
• Collaborate with representatives from the Permit Center staff to ensure a coordinated approach to permitting assistance services and data tracking.
• Collaborate with the OSB Business Assistance Center and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development to assist businesses where permitting needs present complications that require interdepartmental coordination.
• Monitors implementation and impact of new and revised regulations and policies once enacted.
• Collaborate with the OSB Policy Analyst and Office of Economic and Workforce Development to develop policy and legislative recommendations for business regulatory improvements.
• Maintain contact detail on businesses served and prepare and present reports as needed.
• Ability to conduct site visits to a business
• Ability to handle sensitive cases with discretion and tact and respect the right of privacy and maintain confidentiality.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Desirable Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in business, development, economic development or related work.
• Knowledge of and experience with the San Francisco permitting process.
• Knowledge of issues facing San Francisco’s diverse small businesses, especially Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and/or other marginalized populations.
• A proven track record in public agency and/or business client services interfacing with the public.
• Strong communication, relationship management, analytical, project management, and organizational skills, with experience conveying technical information to clients/the public.
• Proactive, collaborative, strategic, and solution-oriented.
• Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, (Accella and Salesforce a plus).
• Oral and written fluency in English and Spanish.

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university AND three (3) years of administrative/professional experience in community development, housing development, workforce development, finance, education, social work, children/youth work, or criminal justice; OR

2. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the following fields: public or business administration, urban planning, government, social work, education, finance or criminal justice AND two (2) year of administrative/professional experience in community development, housing and/or housing development, workforce development, finance, education, social work, children/youth work, criminal justice; OR

3. Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in public policy, planning, social work, public administration, finance, education, criminal justice, or business administration; AND one (1) year of administrative/professional experience in community development, housing and /or housing development, workforce development, finance, education, social work, children/youth work, or criminal justice; OR

4. Possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university AND one (1) year of administrative/professional experience in community development, housing and/or housing development, workforce development, finance, education, social work, children/youth work, or criminal justice.

SUBSTITUTION:

Verifiable administrative/professional experience involving community development, housing and/or housing development, workforce development, finance, education, social work, children/youth work, or criminal justice may substitute for the educational requirement in Minimum Qualification #1 on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

VERIFICATION OF EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=456

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. 

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience and education.  Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates’ qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to continue on in the selection process.  Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement in the process.

Application Deadline: Monday, October 11, 2021 - 11:59 pm

Compensation

Conviction History

Benefits 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Disaster Service Workers

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Carol Isen - Human Resources Director