COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Background

Genesis LA was created in 1998 with a mission to provide capital and capacity to low-income neighborhoods as a means to facilitate high-impact community development real estate projects.  Our mission is to deliver financial solutions that advance economic and social opportunities in underserved communities.  We make loans to a variety of borrowers and projects generally consisting of commercial or small business real estate, community facilities, and affordable housing located in low-income communities or serving low-income individuals in Los Angeles County.  Genesis LA is certified by the U.S. Treasury Department as both a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a Community Development Entity (CDE).  Through our $125 million on-balance sheet CDFI loan fund (the Genesis Community Investment Fund), we provide real estate loans to non-profits and developers generally ranging up to $5 million per project.  As a CDE, we have been awarded $535 million of New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation, which has provided financing for larger scale real estate projects.  Genesis LA pairs its lending products with development services to assist potential borrowers by providing additional capacity to ensure projects move forward and can access our capital. Further, Genesis LA operates multiple community development programs and provides intermediary services to third parties, both of which are designed to support community development and drive capital to low-income and underserved communities.

Summary

The Community Development Officer will facilitate Genesis LA’s mission to build the capacity of community development partners and deploy capital to community and economic development projects. This position sits within Genesis LA’s Programs Department but works frequently with staff in the Lending Department who are structuring, underwriting and closing loans. The Community Development Officer will design, administer, implement, and monitor community development programs and intermediary services.

Programs: Genesis LA’s programs support community development needs and are initiated by Genesis LA or co-created with our partners. These programs build the capacity of community partners, initiate and advance cross-sector collaboration, facilitate the creation of development concepts and pipelines, and implement pilot projects. Genesis LA leads and participates in a range of innovative programs and initiatives, including efforts to: scale community land trust models; expand access to affordable homeownership opportunities; advance commercial corridor revitalization projects; and build the capacity of small, emerging affordable housing developers.

Intermediary Services: Genesis LA provides intermediary services to support our partners in the community development field.  This includes underwriting loans and PRIs with funders, deploying subgrants, and administering programs for third parties.

The Community Development Officer’s work on programs and intermediary services may intersect with borrowers of loans from Genesis LA and will involve collaboration with Genesis LA’s Lending Team, which underwrites, closes, and monitors loans to borrowers.

The Community Development Officer is part of Genesis LA’s 15-person team and will report to various senior staff, depending on assignment.  The role also includes frequent collaboration across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Support Program staff with the design of community development programs – including creating program objectives, identifying key partners, and developing scopes of work and workplans.
• Prepare content for dissemination of program information, including website, marketing materials, applications, and grant reports.
• Engage with public and private community development stakeholders, including developers, community organizations, funders, and public officials.
• Convene community development partners to arrive at shared priorities that will guide the implementation of programs.
• Facilitate consensus building among partners.
• Provide technical assistance to community development partners in group and/or one-on-one formats, including basic real estate knowledge related to real estate due diligence, the preparation of budgets and proformas, and the loan underwriting process.
• Project manage the implement programs, including ensuring key deliverables are completed on time, partners are aligned and supported, and program outcomes are achieved.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree is a plus.
• Educational experience in business, economics, finance, urban planning, public policy, or related fields is ideal.
• Approximately 2-4 years of experience in community development, real estate, or public policy.
• Prior experience and/or demonstrated interest in assisting mission-driven organizations and projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and attention to detail.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a small team on overall business strategies and carrying out activities.
• Self-starter with an ability to work independently on core responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills and follow through.
• Ability to manage multiple workstream and projects from start to finish.
• Capacity to prioritize multiple tasks to meet timing needs of Genesis LA, its partners, and borrowers.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and to exhibit flexibility within a dynamic and entrepreneurial organization.
• Ability to proactively solve problems and creatively overcome implementation barriers to achieve program goals.
• Computer aptitude, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite Programs.
• Knowledge of NMTCs, CDFIs, federal, state, and local financing programs and related public policy issues is a plus.
• Knowledge of Los Angeles community development landscape, policies, and key stakeholders is ideal.

Compensation and Benefits

Genesis LA offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience.  The expected starting salary range for this position is $85,000 – $105,000, depending on experience.  Genesis LA offers full medical, dental and vision benefits, a 401k retirement plan with generous matching terms, 12 paid holidays and 15 days of paid time off per year.

The position is based at Genesis LA’s corporate offices in Downtown Los Angeles.  Genesis LA is primarily an in-person business, with a policy for in-office attendance Monday through Thursday and the option to work from home on Fridays.  Management is open to accommodating additional flexibility when needed.  Genesis LA also fosters a culture of team building and bonding, with regular social activities.

Interested candidates should forward a resume and cover letter to Tom De Simone at [email protected]

How to Apply

Interested candidates should forward a resume and cover letter to Tom De Simone at [email protected]