Job Description

Posting number: 26-EM198-08

Department: Planning & Building Department

Job classification: Manager, Planning & Building Oper

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Administration, Management

Th e 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's Planning & Building Department?
The City of Oakland's Planning & Building Department is currently recruiting for a Manager, Planning & Building Operations. The department is transforming how we serve our community. As part of our growing and dynamic team, you'll have the opportunity to help shape the future of permitting and development services in one of California's most vibrant and diverse cities. This position plays a key leadership role in advancing customer-focused, efficient, and innovative permitting operations. You will help shape the future of development services by supporting modernization efforts, strengthening partnerships, and improving how the City serves residents, businesses, and the development community. Whether supporting housing production, economic development, or neighborhood improvements, your work will directly contribute to building a stronger Oakland while creating a positive experience for residents, businesses, and development partners.

If you're passionate about public service, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams, you'll find a meaningful career and an opportunity to make a lasting impact here.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Knowledgeable in Planning, Building, and Municipal Operations. You understand planning and building services, permitting processes, regulatory requirements, and municipal operations, applying sound judgment to make informed decisions in a complex, customer-focused environment.
• Adaptable, Resilient, and Service-Oriented. You demonstrate integrity, accountability, and professionalism, while navigating change, balancing priorities, and remaining committed to serving Oakland's diverse communities.
• A Collaborative & Empowering Leader. You build trust, develop high-performing teams, and foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture where employees are supported and empowered to succeed.
• Customer-Focused & Solutions Oriented. You are committed to delivering exceptional public service by balancing regulatory requirements with practical, equitable and customer-centered solutions.
• An Effective Communicator & Relationship Builder. You communicate clearly and confidently, building strong relationships with staff, customers, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders while navigating complex issues with professionalism and diplomacy.
• A Strategic and Data-Driven Decision Maker You use performance metrics, workload trends, and operational data to identify opportunities, make informed decisions, and achieve organizational goals.
• An Innovative Problem Solver. You embrace continuous improvement, identify opportunities to modernize operations, and use technology and creative approaches to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Leading the daily operations of the City's Permit Center, ensuring permit applications are processed efficiently, accurately, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and service standards.
• Supervising, mentoring, and developing a high-performing team of permit technicians, customer service professionals, and operations staff by setting expectations, providing coaching, fostering professional growth, and promoting a collaborative workplace culture.
• Partnering with the Building Official and department leadership to identify and implement process improvements, operational strategies, and technology solutions that improve workflow efficiency and customer service.
• Providing leadership and guidance to customers, developers, business owners, City staff, and partner agencies by resolving complex permitting issues and facilitating coordinated reviews across departments and regulatory agencies.
• Monitoring operational performance and using data to evaluate workload trends, track permitting activity, prepare reports, and recommend strategies to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Building collaborative partnerships across the organization by coordinating with Planning, Fire, Public Works, Transportation, Environmental Services, and other stakeholders to support timely and coordinated permit review processes.
• Supporting department initiatives by leading special projects, implementing policies and best practices, and advancing modernization efforts that improve the customer experience and support Oakland's development goals.

Read the complete job description by clicking below:
Manager, Planning & Building Operations

Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland!

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Lasting Impact: Your leadership will shape how Oakland delivers permitting services, support housing & economic development, and serves one of the nation's most diverse cities.
• Drive Meaningful Change: You will have the opportunity to influence how government services evolve by improving systems, strengthening partnerships, and helping create a more transparent and accessible permitting experience.
• Lead & Develop a High-Performing Team: You will have the opportunity to coach, mentor, and support talented professionals while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and accountable workplace culture.
• Solve Complex Challenges: No two days are the same. You will partner with City leaders, developers, businesses, and community members to navigate complex projects and deliver practical solutions that create lasting value for Oakland.
• Grow your Leadership: You will work closely with City leaders and cross-functional partners to advance department priorities and contribute to the future of Oakland's development services.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Leading Through Change: As the department continues to modernize its operations, you will help implement new technologies, improve business processes, and guide staff through organizational change.
• Balancing Competing Priorities: You will oversee a high-volume permitting operation where customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and development timelines often compete, requiring thoughtful decision-making and strong prioritization.
• Delivering Results in a Fast-paced Environment: You will need to balance day-to-day operational demands with long-term strategic initiatives, ensuring the Permit Center continues to meet performance goals while providing exceptional service to the public.
• Developing & Inspiring a Diverse Team: You will be responsible for coaching employees with varying levels of experience, fostering accountability, and building a collaborative, high-performing workplace culture.
• Resolving Complex Customer & Operational Issues: You will regularly navigate challenging permitting questions, customer concerns, and interdepartmental coordination while maintaining a high level of professionalism and customer service.

Competencies Required:

• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data.
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal of action in a timely manner.
• Group Facilitation: Enabling constructive and productive group interaction.
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations.
• Leadership: Guiding & encouraging others to accomplish a common goal.
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in management, public administration, and or a related field.

Experience:
Three (3) years of responsible supervisory or managerial experience in planning and building services.

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 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:

• Knowledge of California building, zoning, and permitting regulations, including experience coordinating with multiple regulatory agencies.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives, business modernization efforts, or technology implementations that resulted in improved operational efficiency, workflow effectiveness, or customer service.
• Previous experience overseeing permit center operations and complex customer service functions within a municipal planning, building, or development services environment.
• Experience using permitting and land management systems such as Accela, Bluebeam, GIS, or other enterprise software applications.
• Professional certifications such as ICC Permit Technician, ICC Building Inspector or other related certifications are highly desirable.

Supplemental information

The Recruitment Process:

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 % @ 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

Apply 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 on the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm

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 Nachele Jackson: Njackson@oaklandca.gov