The Position

The Community & Economic Development Department is seeking two motivated, analytical, and self-directed Business Analysts to support high-impact City initiatives. These positions play a key role in transforming data into actionable intelligence, optimizing processes, and presenting clear, accurate insights to stakeholders and City leadership.

Administration - Cannabis Program Lead

This position serves as the primary administrator of the City’s commercial cannabis program, established through municipal code amendments regulating commercial cannabis activities within the City of Modesto. These regulations govern the commercial cultivation, testing, distribution, and sale of medical and adult-use cannabis and cannabis products.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing application, licensing, and renewal processes
• Monitoring and tracking compliance with municipal code requirements
• Analyzing program data and preparing reports for City officials and policymakers
• Serving as the primary point of contact for cannabis businesses, applicants, and community stakeholders
• Communicating regulatory requirements clearly and professionally
• Presenting program information and analysis to leadership and oversight bodies

This role requires strong initiative, excellent analytical capability, and confidence presenting complex regulatory information to diverse audiences.

Economic Development - Business Support & Community Partnerships

This position supports the City’s mission to help businesses start, grow, and succeed in Modesto. Working closely with community organizations, business owners, and internal departments, this position helps deliver personalized, hands-on “white glove” support through Modesto’s Business Concierge Team.

Key areas of focus include:

• Assisting business owners with permitting and connecting them to City services and resources
• Analyzing market, demographic, and business climate data to inform economic development strategies
• Managing and interpreting data
• Supporting small business incentives, funding programs, and loan initiatives
• Coordinating with key partners including the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, Stanislaus Latino Chamber of Commerce, and other business organizations
• Supporting streamlined services
• Preparing reports, dashboards, and presentations that communicate economic trends and program results

This role is well-suited for individuals who excel in analytical work and enjoy working directly with business and community partners.

Ideal Candidates for Both Positions

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to take initiative and independently manage complex assignments
• Experience transforming data into actionable insights
• Confidence presenting information to City officials, stakeholders, and community partners
• Strong communication, customer service, and professional judgment
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external organizations

These positions offer a meaningful opportunity to advance key City programs and strengthen Modesto’s economic vitality through data-driven insight, strategic program management, and community-focused service.

Salary Incentives:

• 2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree
• 5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree

Remote interview and/or work opportunities are not available for this role. Each step of the recruitment process will be in-person. The position is also in-person on a full time basis.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application form with the words "see resume".

The following information is provided for you to use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations. Applicants may be screened to the most qualified and invited to continue to the next phase of the testing process which may include an oral board interview.

Tentative Schedule: Oral Board Interviews November 12, 2026

The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate’s experience.

Essential and Marginal Function Statements

Essential Functions:

• Recruit business prospects and assist them in the set up and permitting of their businesses City-wide.
• Work with existing businesses City-wide, to protect and expand investments in the local economy.
• Develop and manage databases pertinent to business retention and recruitment efforts.
• Analyze real estate transactions.
• Create and analyze proformas and other financial documents.
• Analyze business loan and grant requests.
• Negotiate, prepare, and supervise the processing of documents, including disposition and development agreements, owner participation agreements, contracts, resolutions, and requests for proposals/qualifications.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the City's budget.
• Create and/or implement programs to help broaden the local tax bases, generate, or attract new capital, increase business activity, produce jobs and diversify the local economy.
• Participate in the development and implementation of division goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Research redevelopment and economic development problems and solutions and prepare a variety of comprehensive reports.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, Community Based Organizations and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions:

• Perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of community development, redevelopment, and real estate.
• Principles of marketing, sales, advertising, and public relations with specific focus on business retention and recruitment.
• Principles of advertising and public relations in order to build partnerships in the community to promote Modesto.
• Marketing and financing techniques.
• Basic statistical methods used for management analysis.
• Property values and effect of economic trends on value and price.
• Effects of construction and the cost of improvements on property values.
• Principles and practices of public relations.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Gather and analyze a variety of complex data, including economic studies, financial statements, marketing studies, plans, specifications, and bid documents; prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.
• Build relationships in the community with community partners, brokers, property and business owners, to foster business retention, business recruitment, new business start-up, leisure activity, and retail and office development, industrial opportunities.
• Design and implement Economic Development Programs in order to recruit, retain and expand local business.
• Identify and respond to community and City Council issues, concerns, and needs.
• Be persuasive in marketing and selling the city to prospective businesses and industries.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible experience in business and community development, redevelopment project management, or real estate finance and development.

Training:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, economics, engineering, or a related field.

License of Certificate:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license

Physical and Mental Requirements

Mobility:

frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.

Lifting:

frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds.

Vision:

constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity:

frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking:

frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological:

frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental:

frequent exposure to noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Some positions may be assigned to remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime and weekend work and travel is rare.