Recycling Program Specialist III

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.

The Environmental Services Division (ESD) within Oakland Public Works is made up of a group of enthusiastic environmental professionals dedicated to promoting solid waste recycling and composting programs; reducing blight through illegal dumping eradication and related enforcement efforts; supporting environmental stewardship with volunteers; providing environmental investigation and remediation services for City-owned land; and ensuring environmental regulatory compliance by City facilities and assets.

We accomplish these through active public outreach, stakeholder engagement, logistical support, and enforcement.

The City of Oakland is currently recruiting for two (2) Recycling Program Specialist IIIs. The ideal candidate is a highly skilled and experienced individual who can direct, plan, and implement a variety of solid waste and blight reduction, and recycling programs for Oakland including residences, businesses, City offices, and facilities.

• A self-driven team leader. You will need to take initiative, have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and have a strong desire to work in public service.
• A critical thinker. You will collect and use facts, data, and evidence in choosing and recommending courses of action.
• A difference maker. You will have the opportunity to develop and shape innovative recycling programs, procedures, and related outreach initiatives to promote recycling and solid waste/blight reduction.
• Organized and results-driven. You will need to balance multiple assignments and priorities in a dynamic environment. Attention to detail is a must to ensure timely delivery of products responsive to specific needs.
• An influencer for performance. You will need to set clear, challenging, and attainable goals, and support others in stretching and expanding their capabilities.
• A passionate and effective communicator and relationship builder. You will play an important role in interfacing with various City work groups, outside agencies, and community-based organizations, and promote recycling programs to City staff and the public. With this, you will get to establish meaningful professional relationships and communicate with a variety of audiences.

• Overseeing personnel and operations of recycling and environmental enforcement programs.
• Assessing, recommending, developing, and implementing solid waste reduction and recycling, and illegal dumping enforcement and reduction related programs and policies.
• Supporting the procurement and administration of Oakland’s franchise agreements for solid waste collection, recycling, and composting, and management of construction and demolition debris.
• Overseeing the procurement and administration of contracts for consulting, community outreach, and other technical services, including writing contract specifications, issuing requests for proposals, accepting and evaluating proposals, awarding contracts, and planning, organizing, directing, and…