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The City of Oakland seeks a Civil Engineer (Office) to join its Public Works Department. This ongoing recruitment offers a chance to deliver innovative infrastructure projects while addressing the needs of the community and ensuring diversity and equity in Oakland’s development. Ideal candidates possess a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and relevant experience in the public sector.
***Continuous Recruitment***
Recruitment may close at any time,candidates are encouraged to apply immediately
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 ofjustice 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 employeeswho 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 recruiting to fill multiple Civil Engineer (Office) vacancies in the Department of Public Works (OPW), Department of Transportation (OakDOT), and Planning & Building Department (PBD).
TheeligibilitylistestablishedfromthisrecruitmentmaybeusedtofillothervacanciesthatoccurwithintheCity including full-timeand permanent part-time positions,if applicable.
WhyjointheCityofOaklandPublicWorksDepartment,DepartmentofTransportationorPlanning&BuildingDepartment?
Would you like to use your engineering and other professional talents to help build Oakland's vibrant and sustainable infrastructure, provide responsive and trustworthy government services, and help advance racial equity in Oakland? Join the City's workforce to be a part of Oakland's emerging urban renaissance. Oakland is poised to experience continued growth and a corresponding upward demand for City services. Your work in this position will have an immediate impact on City operations.
Wearelookingforsomeonewhois:
Whatyouwilltypically be responsiblefor:
A fewreasons you might love this job:
Afewchallengesyoumightfaceinthisjob:
CompetenciesRequired:
The following section describesthe various teams and their functions at the City. Candidates may be referred to interviewwith one ormore teams that have a vacancyas part of the continuouseligibility list.
OAKLANDPUBLICWORKS DEPARTMENT
Oakland Public Works (OPW) strives to maintain, improve, and preserve Oakland's infrastructureand environment for the residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations of every neighborhood in our diverse city.
WatershedandStormwaterManagementDivision
Oakland has a large and complex watershed and storm drainage network that includes over 40 miles of open creek channel, approximately 400 miles of storm drain pipes and culverts, 18,000 structures, 11 pump stations, anda growing number of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) features and full trash capture devices. Many of the storm drainage assets are over 80 years old and are reaching the end of their serviceable life. The Watershed and Stormwater Management Division (WSMD) manages projects and programs involving, but not limited to, storm drainage rehabilitation and replacement, hydrology, hydraulics, erosion and sediment control, stream restoration, stormwater best management practices (BMPs), green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), trash capture, andNPDES stormwater permit requirements. This position will work with professional staff, engineers, storm drainage maintenance staff, and construction inspectors to deliver capital projects. The WSMD civil engineer also assists other divisions and departments in the review and implementation of large projects with drainage and/or stormwater components. Additionally, this position will manage the development of an updated citywide Storm Drainage Management Plan and will provide technical support to both City maintenance staff and the City Attorney's office related to various stormwater and drainage issues.
ConstructionManagement
Construction Management in Public Works provides construction management and inspections services for capital improvement projects (CIP) for both OPW and OakDOT. The current approved CIP for the Budget Cycle FY 21-23 is approximately $200M. These projects include street improvements, sanitary sewer and storm drain improvements; renovation and new construction of city-owned buildings, including earthquake-damaged buildings, fire stations, libraries, parking facilities and park and recreation facilities; new traffic signals and street lights. The Civil Engineer will serve as the Resident Engineer during construction of these capital improvement projects and will perform construction management duties which include, but are not limited to, monitoring construction budget and schedule; conducting daily field inspection to monitor work activities in progress and to ensure compliance with contractual obligations; negotiating and executing contract changes; reviewing and approving contract payment for completed work; and serving as the project liaison with the Contractor, other City divisions, and outside agencies.Other additional duties include managing on-call consultants performing construction management work.
WastewaterEngineeringManagement
Oakland Public Works owns and operates over 934 miles of sewer mains, ranging from 6 inches to over 66 inches in diameter, 28,500 sewer structures, and 10 pump stations. Most of the system is more than 50 years old, and some parts are as old as 100 years. The Wastewater Engineering Management Division includes engineering planning and design of the City's public sanitary sewer system through its Capital Improvement Program, implementation and oversight of the 2014 EPA Consent Decree for sanitary sewer overflows, and management of the Private Sewer Lateral Permit Program.This positionwillworkwithengineers,sewermaintenancestaff, andconstructioninspectorstoensureregulatorycompliance and permit code compliance are met.
OAKLANDDEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATION
The Oakland Department of Transportation's (OakDOT) mission is to envision, plan, build, operate and maintain a transportation system for the City of Oakland and assure safe, equitable, and sustainable access and mobility for residents, businesses and visitors.
MajorProjectsEngineering
MajorProjectsEngineeringis responsiblefor the deliveryof complextransportation engineeringprojectsin Oakland. WorkingalongsideMajorProjectsPlanningtosecurefundingandcoordinatewithstakeholders, the sectionleadsthe design of engineering elements including complete streets and major roadways; bridges and rail overcrossings;pedestrian, bicycle, and transit safety and access improvements; sewer and stormfacilities; landscapearchitecture;and traffic signals and intelligent transportation systems. The position will coordinate and collaborate with professional staff and other City departments, consultants and contractors, outside agencies, and developers inthe delivery of these complex projects.Our goal is to support the implementation of transformative infrastructure identified in longstandingtransportation plans and projectstoconnectneighborhoodsin Oakland.Weareseekingengineerswhocanbringtheirknowledgeandexperience to help achieve our goal to provide safe, more sustainable, and more equitable access to the community through this infrastructure.
CompleteStreetsDesign
Complete Streets Design manages and designs major capital improvement projects with complete streets design elements. Improvementsinclude bicycle facilities, sidewalk widening, transit islands,pavement improvement, grading, drainage,landscaping,streetlighting,trafficsignals,trafficcontroldevices,signing,stripingandstreetamenities.Most
projects require close coordination with other city departments, consultants, contractors, stakeholders, funding agencies, and utility companies. Typical duties include leading design teams, managing project timeline and budget, performing detail design, managing consultants, adhering to grant commitments, preparing construction documents, and providing design support during construction.
Structures & Emergency Response
The Structures & Emergency Response team oversees three separate programs:
1) Bridge Inventory Management: this program performs preventive maintenance, repairs, and retrofits for City-owned bridges and structures as well as the construction of new bridges. City staff work closely with grant funding agency administrators, environmental and regulatory permitting agencies, engineering design consultants, and other local utilities and government entities, to deliver complex civil engineering projects to improve the resiliency and access to critical City transportation infrastructure;
2) Stair and Pathway Improvement Program: this program provides repairs and renovations to the approximately 220 existing pedestrian stairs and paths Citywide. The majority of these stairs and paths were constructed between 1915 and 1940 when the "KeyRoute" system was expanding and streetcars were a primary mode of transportation for many neighborhoods. The City receives grant funding to make ADA, lighting, and other safetyimprovements to these pedestrian routes;
3) Emergency Roadway Response: this program provides engineering response for emergency or hazardous situations within the City's right-of-way that require engineering assessment. This may include evaluation of City infrastructure impacted by natural disasters or other emergency situations.The section also oversees the permanent restoration of damaged infrastructure, developing development of plans, specifications, and estimates for landslide restoration, retaining walls, sinkhole repair, pavement restoration and other repairs necessitated by storm damage.
TrafficCapitalProjects
The Traffic Capital Projects (TCP) prepares complete design documents which include the preparation of plans, specifications and cost estimates for project bids and award for construction. Our main tools for production are comprised of design manual compliance and standards (City & Caltrans); Software that include AutoCAD -Civil3D, AGl32 for lighting analysis, Synchro for traffic timing. TCP also provides design services for other sections that include the Planning section and the Neighborhood Traffic Safety section for roadway safety projects. Projects are typically roadway safety, access and circulation improvements that are mostly federally and locally funded. In our team, we do Civil/Transportation design comprised of Roadway Geometry, Traffic Signal, Pedestrian and Bicycle safety devices, and the City's Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) design.
CompleteStreetsPaving&Sidewalks
Complete Streets Paving & Sidewalks produces plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E)for pavement rehabilitation and pavement maintenance projects, including design of curb ramps, signage and striping, and pavement treatment. The team's workplan follows the adopted 2022 5-Year Paving Plan which prioritizes an equitable prioritization of paving in underserved neighborhoods, along with curb ramps and sidewalks prioritization plans. Additional goals of the program are to advance safety improvements on high injury corridors; incorporate new design standards for transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities; and implement neighborhood safety and Safe Routes to School improvements.
TrafficEngineering
The Traffic Engineering Section operates programs that improve roadway safety for schools and residential/commercial neighborhoods and supports inter-departmental and jurisdictional projects. Typical work involves helping residents slow down traffic in their neighborhood, working with principals to improve pedestrian safety around schools, setting speed limits for the police to enforce, restricting parking on narrow streets for the fire department to access, and reviewing neighboring jurisdictions' projects that impact Oakland streets. The team also delivers small-scale capital improvement projects funded by in-house budget and outside grants for which the team competes and applies. The selected candidate will be the lead engineer in either inter-departmental or small capital projects, both of which are supported by Assistant Engineers.
Bicycle&PedestrianProgram
The Bicycle &Pedestrian Program facilitates, coordinates, and oversees the implementation of the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans andsupports OakDOT increating,managing, andanalyzing transportationdata.The Program designs and delivers low-cost/high-impact projects, and provides staff support to the City's Bicyclist and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.
MultimodalCorridorOperations
The Multimodal Corridor Operations Section maintains, operates, and improves Oakland's Advanced Traffic Management System(ATMS).Thesectionoperatesmorethan700 trafficsignals,High-intensityActivated crossWalK (HAWK)signals,and Rectangular RapidFlashing Beacon (RRFB) andworks closely with City's Maintenance Section to maintain andupgrade these existing devices.The section collaborates with AC Transit,Caltrans, Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and Port of Oakland to improve regional traffic safety. The section also works systematically to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety through traffic signal timing and traffic signal upgrades.
RightofWay(ROW)ManagementandEngineeringServices
The Right-of-Way Management Engineering Services Section administers Oakland's public space regulations. Our Engineers and Permit Technicians facilitate third-party improvements inthe right-of-way, including privately constructed public infrastructure, parklet, curb gutter sidewalk, sewer lateral, excavation, obstruction, and encroachmentpermits.
Engineering Services also reviews and approves parcel maps, final maps, right-of-way vacations, street renaming, easements and dedications. Working closely with Right-of-Way Management Construction Inspections, Engineering Services coordinates private infrastructure improvements with City-led capital projects and utility corridor projects. Engineering Services has expert levelcommand of theOakland Municipal Code and speaks for theagency in meetings with key stakeholders, including Oakland residents, developers, regional agencies, and public utilities.
PLANNINGANDBUILDINGDEPARTMENT-BUREAUOFBUILDING
The Planning & Building Department oversees regulations for the City's growth and development. By developing neighborhood plans, and responding to public concerns, we work to create an innovative environment that supports the health and welfare of all Oaklanders.
Building&InfrastructurePlanCheck
Oakland has experienced a development boom as active construction continues throughout its communities.With over220,000 buildings under the City's jurisdiction, the Bureau of Building maintains the public health and safety of buildings and private infrastructure by ensuring adherence to pertinent codes, ordinances, and regulations. The Bureau of Building welcomes bright and talented engineers seeking a dynamic and rewarding work environment. A Civil Engineer in the Bureau of Building reviews plans,specifications, and supporting documentation associated with building permit applications for conformance to model building codes and regulations. In this dynamic environment, a Civil Engineer in the Bureau of Building assists architects, engineers, contractors, and the community with their development projects. While performing their duties, a Civil Engineer in the Bureau interacts and coordinates with several departments throughout the City including the Planning Bureau, Fire Prevention Bureau, Department of Transportation, Public Works,Housing and Community Development, and City Administrationin the pursuit of public health, safety, and accessibility of buildings in the City of Oakland.
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.
This is a continuous recruitment. This recruitment may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Tentative Schedule:
Applications Submitted during the below timeframe | Writing Exercise Sent to Qualified Candidates |
3/1/25-5/2/25 | Week of 5/5/25 |
5/3/25-7/4/25 | Week of 7/7/25 |
7/5/25-9/5/25 | Week of 9/8/25 |
9/6/25-11/7/25 | Week of 11/10/25 |
For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (supplemental screening), you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
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.
What'sinitforyou?
Applicantsarerequiredtosubmitcriminalhistoryinformation uponrequestafterreceivingaconditional offerof employment.Iftherequestedinformationisnotfurnishedinatimelymanner,applicantswillnotqualifyforfurther consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
DisasterServiceWorkers
Allemployees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees arerequired to complete all Disaster Service Worker-relatedtraining as assigned andtoreturn to work as ordered in the event of anemergency.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours tosubmityour 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:
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 (normally10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided byGovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contactGovernmentJobsLive 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 contactBriana Wongat bwong@oaklanca.gov.