Assistant Director, Public Works Agency

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 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.

The City of Oakland is seeking a highly-skilled Assistant Director, Oakland Public Works Department - Bureau of Design and Construction to join our team! The Bureau of Design and Construction is responsible for delivering approximately $450 million in capital projects that improve the City's parks, recreation, and senior centers, sewer, and stormwater systems, and other public facilities. The bureau has four divisions:
Wastewater Engineering Management, Watershed and Stormwater Management, Projects and Grants Management, and Capital Contracts. This bureau is on a path to have an incredible impact on Oakland's public infrastructure and is seeking a dynamic leader who can help set a great course for the bureau.

• A proven leader: You are tasked with guiding and encouraging others to accomplish common goals and provide a vision for the division.
• An effective relationship builder: You establish rapport and maintain mutually productive relationships.
• A critical thinker and problem solver: You analytically and logically evaluate information, propositions, and challenges, and come up with achievable options to advance the work of the division.
• Results driven: You meet organizational goals and customer expectations and make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
• Strategic thinker: You tackle complex and often controversial challenges in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with diverse stakeholders who may hold competing perspectives.
• An effective communicator: You convey information clearly and confidently when working with bureau staff, the commission, City Administrator's staff, and City Council.

• Setting and tracking clear goals for the bureau and proactively addressing areas where goals are not being met.
• Reporting to the I-bond Committee, the Public Works Committee, and the Transportation Committee on progress in delivering the capital program with particular emphasis on the bond program.
• Developing and implementing a long-term plan, with a particular focus on the bond program.
• Translating complex topics into clear, plain language for colleagues and policymakers.
• Improving and simplifying the capital procurement process.
• Building staff morale and enhancing employee engagement.
• Improving communication and collaboration within the bureau and across bureaus.
• Navigating and overseeing internal systems and processes—including hiring, procurement, contracting, and staff reporting—necessary for effective project delivery.
• Ensuring compliance with stormwater and sewer regulatory requirements throughout planning and project delivery.
• Representing the bureau in presentations and discussions with public bodies, municipal executives, and community groups.

• Your work will impact the City of Oakland's infrastructure, which directly contributes to the quality of life and public service.
• You'll have the opportunity to apply your experience, creativity, and adaptability.
• You think and act on equity regularly.
• You are an important bridge between stakeholders, public officials, the City Administrator's staff, and the bureau.

• You will be expected to navigate the bureau's vacancy rate, heavy staff workload, and occasional turnover.
• You will be expected to stay within a scope and budget that may conflict with…