Economic and Workforce Development Deputy

The Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis has an immediate opening for a full-time Economic and Workforce Development Deputy.

Supervisor Solis is proud to serve LA County’s First District, which is home to two million residents, across 246 square miles, from several diverse communities: from East Los Angeles to East Hollywood, MacArthur Park to Eagle Rock, and Alhambra to Pomona. The candidate must be community-oriented with a passion and the experience to create policy to improve the quality of life for LA County residents, particularly First District constituents.

Key Responsibilities:

The Economic and Workforce Development Deputy (EWDD) will implement economic and workforce development priorities for the First District. The EWDD aims to influence economic and workforce development planning and practice so that equity, transparency, sustainability, and community engagement are the driving force on any project.  

The Deputy will collaborate with various County and external agencies and departments to advance regional opportunities that foster safe, healthy, vibrant neighborhoods, well-served business districts, and job opportunities for First District residents. 

The ideal candidate is able to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines, be an effective leader as well as a team player, and thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assess and strategically respond to the district's economic and workforce development capacity needs;
• Develop and monitor programs, in collaboration with County Departments (County Department of Economic Opportunity, Los Angeles County Development Authority, and all other relevant County and outside agencies), that support and create job opportunities and formulate recommendations for programs that foster economic and workforce development in the First District. Produce a data-driven picture of the current state of workforce development and future needs to enhance transparency and accountability for current spending and actions;
• Communicate successes, actions, and results in coordination with partners and the Supervisor’s communications team;
• Provide regular internal updates on workforce and economic developments;
• Create a solid programmatic infrastructure and facilitative foundation to support a coordinated, aligned network of stakeholders in collaboration with First District Field Offices. This includes employers, workforce providers, faith groups, employee groups, and neighborhood stakeholders;
• Monitor State and Federal policies that could benefit the residents of the First District and the region;
• Draft and build support for motions that advance the First District's Economic and Workforce Development Priorities;
• Collaborate with First District staff with expertise in Environmental Affairs, Transportation, Public Works, and Finance, among other areas, to craft an integrated approach to sustainable economic and workforce development for the First District;
• Attend department and Board Deputy cluster meetings, track board items, and prepare briefing memos;
• Work with legislative deputies, field deputies, and First District press and communications staff to craft the best policy solutions for First District residents;
• Monitor significant capital projects within the First District and create workforce and economic development opportunities;
• Work with LA28, County Departments, the city of Los Angeles, and all relevant stakeholders to collaborate on workforce and economic opportunities for the residents of First District in the planning for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and Paralympics game events;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for economic and workforce development stakeholders operating in the First District;
• Organize, lead, and attend regular in-person and virtual meetings with businesses and other stakeholders to develop plans and quick resources for small businesses and workforce needs. Effectively manage and improve County direct small business support through the County Entrepreneur Center and other business façade improvement programs; and
• Attend related community meetings and district events representing Supervisor Solis, which may require extensive travel.

Required Skills:

• Strong and effective communication skills, both written and oral;
• Commitment to equity, diversity and to serving under-resourced and underserved communities;
• Able to work independently and as a team;
• Be accountable, highly motivated, and possess a strong work ethic;
• Responsibly handle confidential and sensitive information and matters;
• Able to work on several projects or issues simultaneously, pivot in evolving situations, and prioritize assignments throughout the day;
• Attentive to the details while focusing on the big-picture goals;
• Able to work with others to craft and advance comprehensive policy solutions on interrelated issues that benefit the community, such as homelessness, poverty, racial inequities, criminal justice, domestic violence, immigration and environmental justice;
• Able to analyze policy issues and prepare concise briefing memos in a fast-paced environment;
• Experience with spreadsheets and reporting capabilities;
• Thorough knowledge of industry best practices, standards, principles, and procedures with a preference for direct experience in an urban setting;
• Thorough knowledge of federal and local laws, regulations, and administrative practices related to the procurement, funding, planning, and implementation of Economic and Workforce Development programs; 
• Track record of managing organizational performance through developing, tracking, and reporting on performance metrics;
• Prior high-level experience with planning, evaluating, organizing, and implementing best practices, policies, and procedures in a governmental setting; and
• Familiarity with the First District.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Advanced Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Administration, Economic and Workforce Development, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years in senior leadership of a large public or private organization, with direct experience in the economic and workforce industry strongly preferred.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Please note that this is a professional level staff position that will require work hours beyond the normal workday and will include weekend and holiday work. The position is full-time, exempt, and unclassified. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and includes excellent benefits. All applicants will be required to submit to a live scan background check.