Manager, Planning & Building Operations
Apply NowCompany: City of Oakland, CA
Location: Oakland, CA 94601
Description:
Salary : $161,500.80 - $198,300.00 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Exempt from Civil Service
Job Number: 24-EM198-11
Department: Planning & Building Department
Opening Date: 03/03/2025
Closing Date: 3/31/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UM1
The Position
The Operations Manager position may be eligible for remote/flexible schedule options in accordance with City of Oakland's policy.
The City of Oakland is a dynamic City with a unique blend of cultures, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to progress. The City is known for its diversity, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. Joining the City of Oakland Planning and Building Department enables you to actively contribute to causes that align with your values and be a part of the positive change this City looks forward to.
The City is seeking an energetic and experienced candidate whose character reflects the values of the City. The successful candidate should be a collaborative, adaptable, and open-minded individual who learns quickly, leads by example, and is not afraid to roll up their sleeves to get the job done. The individual should have confidence in their ability to communicate effectively. The ideal candidate should also be a mindful leader who cares for their associates and brings a passion for chasing excellence.
The Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the permit center, ensuring efficient processing of applications, compliance with regulations, customer service, and staff management, often requiring a deep understanding of local, state and federal permitting laws and procedures, while coordinating with various departments to streamline the permitting process.
This role is crucial in providing timely service to all customers and involves the coordination and support for the intake of all development review applications. In addition to managing the permit functions, the Operations Manager serves as an ally and advocate for business owners and developers, acting as a single point of contact for business and development permitting needs. The Operations Manager is expected to facilitate streamlined reviews of projects, predict permitting challenges, and prepare applications accordingly.
We are looking for someone who is:
Read the complete job description by clicking this link:
A few reasons you might love this job:
A few challenges you might face in this job:
Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Competencies Required:
This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902.
Minimum Requirements for Application
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.
Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in management, public administration, or a related field.
Experience:
Three 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 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:
Supplemental Information
All applications received will be forwarded to the Planning & Building Department for further consideration.
What's in it for you?
The 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 Planning & Building Department for further consideration.
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.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
How to Apply
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 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 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 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 at: NJackson@oaklandca.gov
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
List the permit tracking systems you have experience with. What are the key features and functionalities of the permit tracking system you are most familiar with and how have you utilized them in your work.
02
If faced with a backlog of permit applications, outline your strategy for prioritizing and managing workload effectively. Please describe how you would utilize data to make your decisions.
03
Share an example of how you have provided training and development opportunities for staff to enhance their knowledge of permit procedures and customer service skills, what were the results?
04
How do you approach performance management for team members with varying levels of performance? Provide a specific example of how you have addressed underperformance and what was the outcome?
Required Question
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Exempt from Civil Service
Job Number: 24-EM198-11
Department: Planning & Building Department
Opening Date: 03/03/2025
Closing Date: 3/31/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UM1
The Position
The Operations Manager position may be eligible for remote/flexible schedule options in accordance with City of Oakland's policy.
The City of Oakland is a dynamic City with a unique blend of cultures, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to progress. The City is known for its diversity, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. Joining the City of Oakland Planning and Building Department enables you to actively contribute to causes that align with your values and be a part of the positive change this City looks forward to.
The City is seeking an energetic and experienced candidate whose character reflects the values of the City. The successful candidate should be a collaborative, adaptable, and open-minded individual who learns quickly, leads by example, and is not afraid to roll up their sleeves to get the job done. The individual should have confidence in their ability to communicate effectively. The ideal candidate should also be a mindful leader who cares for their associates and brings a passion for chasing excellence.
The Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the permit center, ensuring efficient processing of applications, compliance with regulations, customer service, and staff management, often requiring a deep understanding of local, state and federal permitting laws and procedures, while coordinating with various departments to streamline the permitting process.
This role is crucial in providing timely service to all customers and involves the coordination and support for the intake of all development review applications. In addition to managing the permit functions, the Operations Manager serves as an ally and advocate for business owners and developers, acting as a single point of contact for business and development permitting needs. The Operations Manager is expected to facilitate streamlined reviews of projects, predict permitting challenges, and prepare applications accordingly.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in managing a team of permit technicians, public service representatives and process coordinators to deliver expedient, efficient, and thorough permit services.
- Creative and able to resolve customer challenges with a problem-solving approach and perspective!
- A skilled team leader, and a polished professional able to lead a diverse team to complete a variety of high-profile tasks.
- Knowledgeable of local City of Oakland Ordinances, California Building Standards Codes, Health and Safety Codes and their appropriate applications.
- Able to work with other divisions, departments and outside agencies collaboratively and in concert with the City Vision and Direction.
- Flexible! Able to make expedient but sound decisions under pressure.
- Able to lead with personal accountability and integrity.
- Leading and managing a team of permit technicians, public service representatives and process coordinators; assigning tasks, providing training, and evaluating performance.
- Monitoring permitting processes and working to improve team efficiencies by implementing industry best practices.
- Learning to predict permitting challenges, and when one occurs; troubleshoot and assist staff and applicants in finding solutions.
- Maintaining working relationships for team-based project reviews between all divisions and outside agencies to achieve business-friendly actions and efficient turnaround times.
- Process Improvement: identifying opportunities to streamline the permitting process, implementing new technologies, and optimizing workflows for efficiency.
- Presenting Building Bureau information both orally and in writing to City employees, external customers and organizations.
- Data Management: maintaining accurate records of permit applications, tracking progress, generating reports on permit activity, and analyzing data to identify trends.
- Collaborating with other departments within the City or County, such as Planning, Fire Prevention, Public Works, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services to coordinate permit review and approvals.
Read the complete job description by clicking this link:
A few reasons you might love this job:
- You will be offered a sense of purpose by directly impacting the community.
- You will be provided opportunities to contribute to local improvements.
- You will be allowed to utilize your skills effectively.
- You will be provided competitive compensation and benefits.
- You will provide supportive leadership: A Manager who provides guidance, feedback, and recognizes achievements.
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You will need to understand the local development community nuances and dynamics.
- You will need to build relationships with unfamiliar colleagues.
- You will need to build trust and rapport with the team: establishing credibility and gaining respect from employees who may already have established relationships with each other can be difficult in a new environment.
- You will need to learn the department's culture: understanding the unwritten rules/policies, communication styles, and decision-making processes specific to the department.
- You will need to be mindful of preconceived notions about the city or its inhabitants that could influence decision-making.
Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Competencies Required:
- Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
- Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner.
- Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
- Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
and claims. - Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring
compliance with laws and regulations. - Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications.
- Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
- Innovation: Imagining and devising new and better ways of doing things.
- Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing.
- Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.
- Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities.
- Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal.
This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902.
Minimum Requirements for Application
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.
Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in management, public administration, or a related field.
Experience:
Three 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 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:
- Bilingual skills
- A current Permit Technician or Plans Examiner Certification from the International Code Council (ICC)
- Knowledge of the building codes and regulations
- Experience reviewing building plans for conformance
Supplemental Information
All applications received will be forwarded to the Planning & Building Department for further consideration.
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.
The 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 Planning & Building Department for further consideration.
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.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
How to Apply
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 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 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 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 at: NJackson@oaklandca.gov
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
List the permit tracking systems you have experience with. What are the key features and functionalities of the permit tracking system you are most familiar with and how have you utilized them in your work.
02
If faced with a backlog of permit applications, outline your strategy for prioritizing and managing workload effectively. Please describe how you would utilize data to make your decisions.
03
Share an example of how you have provided training and development opportunities for staff to enhance their knowledge of permit procedures and customer service skills, what were the results?
04
How do you approach performance management for team members with varying levels of performance? Provide a specific example of how you have addressed underperformance and what was the outcome?
Required Question