Salary : $185,197.08 - $227,413.20 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Exempt from Civil Service
Job Number: 25-MA107-06
Department: Oakland Public Works Department
Opening Date: 11/25/2025
Closing Date: 12/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UM1
The Position The City of Oakland is an equal-opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Public Works Department?Situated at the heart of the Bay Area, the City of Oakland is a vibrant, diverse, and exciting place to work. It is easily accessible, on the forefront of Race and Equity work, and a full-service organization with many innovative community services.
The City of Oakland Public Works Department, Bureau of Design and Construction, Project and Grant Management Division (PGM), is responsible for planning, designing, delivering and implementing Capital Improvement Programs in two major programs: Buildings and Facilities, and Parks and Open Spaces.
The Capital Improvement Program Manager is responsible for a profile of approximately $400M for FY 23-25, delivering approximately 130 capital projects.
The Capital Improvement Program Manager plays a vital role in assisting City departments such as Library, Parks and Recreation, and the Police and Fire departments in implementing projects that help deliver essential services to the City. The position will be managing projects funded by multiple funding sources such as Measure Q, Measure KK, Measure U, Prop 68, and State and Federal Grants.
The ideal candidate will be flexible, solutions-oriented and able to communicate effectively with a team of project managers, as well as City Council members and/or committee members. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, a great organizational culture, and much more!
This is the best time to join our team! The Public Works Department is filling this position vacated due to an internal transfer. We are under stable leadership and in the early stages of transforming our hiring process. Your unique experiences will be an important contribution to our success. Oakland is a learning organization, committed to developing talent and growing our own!
We are looking for some who is:- A Proven Leader. You will be tasked with guiding and encouraging others to accomplish common goals and provide a vision for the division.
- An Effective Communicator. You will need to establish rapport and maintain mutually productive relationships.
- Engaging. You engage others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes.
- A Critical Thinker and Problem Solver. You can analytically and logically evaluate information, propositions, and challenges and come up with achievable options to advance the work of the division.
- Results Driven. You will meet organizational goals and customer expectations and make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
- Experienced and Skilled in Program Delivery. You possess considerable knowledge of public works best practices, regulatory and technological trends, and have a proven ability to improve project delivery that addresses diverse community needs and the City's goal of delivering projects on schedule and budget.
- Accountable. You have a focus on accountability and will be expected to take charge of the department and hit the ground running with current projects and programs.
What you will typically be responsible for: - Developing and implementing a robust and equitable Capital Improvement Program for the Department of Public Works.
- Managing the Public Works Capital Improvement Program and ensuring projects meet project scope, schedule and budget as approved by Council.
- Managing Capital Improvement funding, bonds, grants, and budget to maximize resource utilization to deliver Capital Improvement Programs.
- Overseeing the Department's project control and project delivery processes, including improvements and implementing new changes to streamline project delivery.
- Preparing and reviewing reports to the City Administrator, City Council, commissions, and other entities.
- Reviewing and overseeing the creation of new, or updates to existing, ordinances or policies that guide the work of the division.
- Monitoring legislative developments that relate to or may impact the work of the division and evaluating their impact on policies and procedures.
A few reasons you might love this job: - Oakland has a wide variety of projects with different complexity and challenges that will encourage use of your creativity and experience in identify issues and resolving project issues.
- Oakland Public Works department has a strong organizational culture in which you will feel part of a team that collectively works to improve the city.
- You will work in a team environment that is focused on supporting our employees' ability to do their best work.
- The Bureau of Design and Construction is a team of professional staff with a variety of experiences from architecture, professional engineering, construction management and inspection, contract administration, and management that work very well together to deliver common goal.
A few challenges you might face in this job:- You will need to address very enthusiastic community groups and demanding client departments with limited budget and resources.
- You may be faced with high staff turnover due to promotions and retirements, carrying on tasks that are incomplete and following up with contractors, citizens and in-house divisions.
- You will need to be organized to keep up with reports, division budget changes and attend meetings.
- You will be tasked to explore alternative delivery methods that improve current delivery of project scope, schedule and budget.
Competencies Required:- Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
- Allocating Resources: Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness
- Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
- Communication Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
- Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
- Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
- Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
- Interpersonal Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
- Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
- Leading Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions, functions, or teams
- Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
- Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives
- Strategic Thinking & Perspective: Evaluating immediate actions in context of achieving long range objectives
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
Read the complete job description by clicking this link:Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!Minimum Requirements for Application The following qualifications are guidelines, as the appointing authority has broad discretion in filling positions in this classification.
Education:A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, planning, design management, business administration and management, business development or a related field. A Master's degree is desirable.
Experience:Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, project and program management, architecture, landscape architecture, planning or other qualifying field including two years (2) in a supervisory capacity.
License or Certificate / Other Requirements:Successful incumbents in this position are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties. Due to the nature of the assignment and the hours worked, public transportation may not be a cost effective or efficient method for traveling to the various locations required. Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.
Desirable Qualifications:Possession of one (or more) of the following:
(1) a Certificate of Registration as a professional Civil Engineer in the State of California,
(2) Certification as a Professional Planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners,
(3) an Architecture license in the State of California or with the National Council of Architectural Registration Board or
(4) a Landscape Architect's License in the State of California.
Supplemental InformationThe Recruitment Process:This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to the Oakland Public Works Department for consideration.Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.
What's in it for you?- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation - 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement - CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health - The City of Oakland pays for the cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental - The City of Oakland pays for Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision - The City of Oakland pays for VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave - Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation - 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Training, & Telecommuting.
Please note: Salary is negotiable within the defined range depending on qualifications.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.Disaster Service WorkersAll employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to ApplyApply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system.
APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system.
For recruitment specific questions, please contact Melanie Spears at
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
01
Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?
02
Have you previously been employed by the City of Oakland?
03
Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City of Port of Oakland employee?
04
If you are a current City or Port of Oakland employee, what is your job title and employee ID number?If you are not a City or Port of Oakland employee, type "N/A"
05
If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City of Oakland below.If not applicable, type "N/A"
06
Do you have a valid California Driver's License?
07
If you indicated your highest educational achievement is "Some college credits," how many units of college level coursework have you completed?
- 1-14 semester / 1-21 quarter units / or equivalent
- 15-29 semester / 22-44 quarter units / or equivalent
- 30-59 semester / 45-89 quarter units / or equivalent
- 60-89 semester / 90-134 quarter units / or equivalent
- 90+ semester / 135+ quarter units / or equivalent
- N/A
08
Do you possess any of the following professional credentials:
- a California Civil Engineer registration
- AICP certification
- California architecture license
- NCARB architecture license
- California Landscape Architect license
- I do not possess any of the above
09
Please summarize your education background and explain how it satisfies the minimum requirement of a Bachelor's degree in one of the specified or related fields.
10
How many years do you have of progressively responsible experience that includes in a supervisory capacity?
- I possess 4 or more years, but less than 5 years, of experience as described
- I possess 3 or more years, but less than 4 years, of experience as described
- I possess 2 or more years, but less than 3 years, of experience as described
- I possess 1 year, but less than 2 years, of experience as described
- I possess less than 1 year of experience as described
11
Please explain your progressively responsible experience in a qualifying field, including a minimum of two years in a supervisory capacity. In your answer, please provide details about your roles, duties, and supervisory responsibilities.
12
Answers to the above supplemental questions MUST be supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application. Answers not supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application will NOT be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed.I have read and understand this statement.
Required Question
