Research and Program Coordinator

Job Description:

Research and Program Coordinator

Description

Working in Real Estate Services:

The City of Santa Rosa’s Real Estate Services Division Real Estate Services | Santa Rosa, CA plays a central and dynamic role in shaping the future of the community. As the City’s internal real estate consultant, the division provides strategic real estate, right-of-way, and development services to all City departments. This includes acquiring and leasing land and easements for public infrastructure, public safety, parks, and other municipal uses; negotiating the sale or lease of surplus City-owned properties in compliance with the Surplus Lands Act; and facilitating private development on public land to support affordable housing, economic growth, and community revitalization. 

Real Estate Services also manages the City’s diverse portfolio of over 1,400 public properties—ranging from brownfield sites to commercial leases—and leads grant administration for site assessment and redevelopment funding. The division maintains comprehensive property records and GIS-based mapping tools and reviews third-party applications for temporary or long-term use of City land.

As a vital member of a small but high-impact team, this individual will help advance the City’s real estate, housing, and economic development goals by proactively identifying funding opportunities and supporting strategic projects from concept to completion. Located within the “One Stop Shop” alongside Economic Development, Real Estate Services operates at the intersection of land use, policy, and community impact, making it an exciting and rewarding place to contribute to Santa Rosa’s future. 

Join Our Team! – Santa Rosa Water Department:

Are you a dynamic program coordinator with a passion for environmental sustainability and public service? The City of Santa Rosa Water Department is seeking a Research and Program Coordinator to support and shape vital water-related programs that serve our community and protect our environment. 

In this role, you'll be at the forefront of developing and administering a wide range of initiatives—grant-funded programs, regulatory compliance, public engagement, and department planning efforts. You’ll work collaboratively with internal teams, community stakeholders, and policy makers to drive innovative and sustainable water solutions. 

What You’ll Do:

• Research and analyze regulations, policies, and best practices to inform program development 
• Prepare and manage grant applications and compliance reports 
• Represent the department during audits and public or interagency meetings 
• Manage consultant contracts, equipment acquisition, and RFPs 
• Manage educational programs including TAP!, Hydration Station, and the Laguna Treatment Plant Tours 
• Supervise, train and mentor 2-3 student interns and support their professional development 
• Lead and support the City of Santa Rosa’s Earth Day event 
• Monitor and report on program budgets, timelines, and deliverables 
• Coordinate communications, presentations, and public outreach 
• Serve on cross-departmental and citywide committees 

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in the Santa Rosa community and help steward one of our most precious resources—water—apply now to be part of our dedicated team! 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Motivated, detail-oriented professional with a strong background in grant management, budget development, and project coordination. 

• Skilled in tracking and administering funds from multiple sources, monitoring complex budgets, and supporting the successful delivery of public real estate and development initiatives.

• Key strength is the ability to conduct in-depth research and analysis of federal, state, and local regulations; for real estate, this includes housing, land use, and economic development policy.

• Comfortable interpreting complex codes and guidelines and applying that knowledge to support compliance, grant applications, and program implementation.

• Excellent customer service skills and thrive in a collaborative, public-facing role, communicating effectively with internal departments, external partners, and members of the community. 

• Flexible, highly organized, and able to pivot quickly as priorities shift in a fast-paced work environment. 

• Experience and knowledge in the areas of environmental sustainability, resource management, climate action planning and adaptation, environmental outreach, event planning, and making presentations before boards and committees.

• Organized, detail oriented, have strong research and analysis skills; and able to adapt and work productively when faced with changes in priorities, ambiguous assignments, and conflicting demands. Prior experience with managing customer outreach programs and researching and writing grants is highly desirable. 

•  Computer literate, have excellent problem-solving skills, strong research and analysis background, education and outreach experience, and will work continuously to improve internal and external relationships, contacts, and networks. 

Additionally, a passion for public service, sharp analytical skills, and a commitment to getting the details right are essential. In this role, you'll be a connector, a strategist, and a problem-solver—building relationships across departments, empowering the community with information, and advancing sustainable practices throughout the City. Every day brings opportunities to support innovation, drive environmental action, and make a lasting difference in Santa Rosa.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, or responses such as "See Resume" can result in disqualification from the selection process.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.
 
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process will include a minimum qualifications assessment; and may also include an application and supplemental questionnaire review, followed by department selection interviews.  
 

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties: The following duties are considered essential for this job classification:

• Research, analyze, develop and administer a variety of policies, programs and procedures;
• analyze and apply federal, state and local regulations and policies related to new or existing programs and projects;
• conduct research, develop applications and administer a variety of grants;
• prepare required grant reporting and represent the department during audits;
• update staff and public regarding changes in federal, state or local regulations and policies;
• prepare and administer Requests for Qualifications, Requests for Proposals and/or contracts or agreements for program activities, equipment or services;
• represent management at meetings of neighborhood, community and/or policy groups;
• participate in development and administration of the department and program budgets by conducting research, analyzing and monitoring financial information and making recommendations for project or program activities;
• may administer and coordinate equipment acquisitions;
• prepare reports, memoranda and correspondence on a wide variety of subjects related to programs and services;
• manage ongoing program activities;
• coordinate schedules;
• develop presentation materials and coordinate informational meetings and notices to policy-making bodies, community groups, home owners, and others;
• serve on a variety of departmental, city-wide, and interagency task forces and committees and perform related duties as assigned.

Salary:

$86,264.00