Career Opportunity

LAFCo Executive Officer - Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Board of Supervisors - (9775 Senior Community Development Specialist II )

Recruitment: RTF0153515-01146921

Published: April 17, 2025

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:

• Application Opening: April 17, 2025
• Filing Deadline: May 7, 2025 
• Recruitment ID: RTF0153515-01146921

APPOINTMENT TYPE

Permanent Exempt (PEX), Category 18: The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) Executive Officer position is exempt from Civil Service Rules and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Officer, the Local Agency Formation Commission. This is a limited term position with a maximum of three (3) years duration.

DESCRIPTION

Local Agency Formation Commissions are independent regulatory bodies that oversee changes to the boundaries of cities and special districts. LAFCos were created by the Legislature in 1963 during the post-World War II housing boom to “discourage sprawl and encourage orderly government.” They are governed by the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act. All 58 counties have LAFCos. However, the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission is unique.

Per Ordinance 0146-07, the Board of Supervisors has charged SF LAFCo with an advisory role for the implementation of the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program. This ordinance directs SF LAFCo to assist with the startup of the CCA Program and advise the Board of Supervisors, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), and other agencies regarding all aspects of development, implementation, operation, and management of the CCA Program. LAFCo is responsible for providing monitoring and advice to the Board of Supervisors, SFPUC, and agencies regarding the CCA Program.

Visit https://sfgov.org/lafco/ to learn more about LAFCo.

Role description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, the Executive Officer will be responsible for monitoring, implementing and supporting the various program administration and activities of LAFCo and their budget. Duties of the position include research, analysis, and evaluation of administrative and policy matters to advise the Commission on recommended action; conduct compliance review, development, and implementation of applicable laws and policies; prepare comprehensive reports; develop and prepare special studies regarding specific municipal services, special projects, and work/budget plans, as directed by the Commission.

This position will also serve as the project manager lead and representative of all LAFCo matters before the Board, special districts, regional and state boards and commissions, and other agencies and the public, liaise between the Commission and the City and County of San Francisco, special districts, state agencies, civic and community groups, academic institutions and the general public to ensure appropriate management of activities of contractors and coordinate with staff of the Clerk of Board relating to LAFCo matters; successfully confer with the Commission on major administrative procedures and challenges, and develop solutions by formulating strategic directions, goals, and objectives.

The essential duties of this position include:

• Research, analyze and evaluate administrative and policy matters and advise the Commission on recommended action; review, develop, and implement policies; prepare comprehensive reports as requested by the Commission.
• Ensure Commission's compliance with applicable state laws.
• Act as liaison between the Commission and the City and County of San Francisco, special districts, state agencies, civic and community groups, academic institutions and the general public.
• Monitor and support implementation of the CleanPowerSF program consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding between San Francisco LAFCo and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
• Monitor and support and implement special districts as directed by the Commission including but not limited to financing districts and downtown revitalization and economic recovery financing districts or districts as defined in AB2488 to mean a legally constituted governmental entity separate and distinct from the City and County of San Francisco for the sole purpose of financing commercial-to-residential conversion projects or other projects of community-wide significance in downtown San Francisco that support downtown revitalization and economic recovery.
• Develop and prepare special studies regarding specific municipal services, as directed by Commission.
• Establish an efficient organization by facilitating consensus building and decision-making; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and manage conflict effectively.
• Coordinate with staff of the Clerk of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors relating to LAFCo matters; staff San Francisco LAFCo and advisory committees as appointed by the Commission; attend all regular and special meetings of Commission.
• Confer with the Commission on major administrative procedures and challenges; develop solutions by formulating strategic directions, goals, and objectives.
• Prepare and monitor the San Francisco LAFCo annual budget and work plan.
• Supervise LAFCo personnel, hire personnel as needed, coordinate training and professional development, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Conduct competitive solicitations for contractors, negotiate contracts, and manage activities of contractors.
• Confer with LAFCo legal counsel and advise LAFCo on a regular and ongoing basis regarding legal questions pertaining to its powers, duties, functions, and obligations.
• Represent San Francisco LAFCo matters before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, special districts, regional and state boards and commissions, and other agencies and the public as directed by the Commission.
• Monitor and research state legislation, brief the commission and develop policy statements for the Commission; establish a liaison with members of the state legislature and staff; communicate official policy positions of the SF LAFCo to state representatives and appear at legislative hearings to represent the position of the Commission as needed.
• Prepare correspondence and supervise the maintenance of San Francisco LAFCo's files; prepare and present clear staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Ensure that Commissioners and LAFCo legal counsel timely complete required Statement of Economic Interest Filings.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

How to qualify

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university AND four (4) years administrative/professional experience in community development, housing and/or 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 three (3) years 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

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 two (2) years 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 Ph.D. or Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university AND two (2) years 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.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, purpose, and scope of the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act and the applicable Federal, State, and local rules and regulations
• Administrative/professional experience in renewable energy, municipal financial services, municipal housing, program administration or project implementation
• Experience in local municipal government and utility regulators
• Experience in competitive solicitations and contract negotiations
• Experience in supervising staff or contractors
• Ability and skills to synthesize complex information and recommend a range of creative options
• Understand financial and technical reports and translate these reports for policy makers and the public
• Ability to apply principles to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Understanding of policy and procedure, and work effectively with representatives of governmental and community organizations

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

What else should I know?

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#verification

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. 

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.

Applicants may be required to submit identification verifying payroll eligibility and eligibility to work at any time during the selection process. 

Selection Procedures:

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

The selection process will include an evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine the applicants’ qualifications. Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Depending on the number of applicants, the department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the department and whose backgrounds best match the position will move forward in the recruitment process.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through all of the steps in the selection procedure.

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in interviews.

APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE FIVE (5) ATTACHMENTS. Failure to include all five (5) attachments may result in not proceeding further in the application process.

• COVER LETTER
• RESUME listing education and prior employment history including job title, company, start and end dates of employment, and job duties and responsibilities that meet the qualifications described above
• TRANSCRIPTS verifying the required education for meeting minimum qualifications
• LIST OF PRIOR EMPLOYERS WITH THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION for verifying the required work experience for meeting minimum qualifications and prior employment experience listed in the applicants resume.
• LIST OF THREE (3) PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES who can attest to your professional qualifications for this employment opportunity and provide the name, position, company, address, postal code, work email, phone, and best times to be contacted for all references.

What else should I know?

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the City and County of San Francisco, we share a commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community. Each member of our organization is responsible and accountable for what they say and do to make San Francisco an inclusive and equitable place to live and work by employing fair and just practices to and for all.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sf.gov, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact Edward de Asis, at edward.deasis@sfgov.org.

Please note: All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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.

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.