Lead Painter - Buildings & Grounds Department (2026-27)

Oakland-Unified-School-District; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakland Unified School District is seeking a Lead Painter in the Buildings & Grounds department in Oakland, CA. This role is responsible for supervising painting staff, maintaining interior and exterior surfaces, and coordinating with architects, engineers, and contractors.

Essential duties include estimating project needs, ensuring safe use of paint equipment, and maintaining records. The position offers full-time hours and a strong focus on maintenance of district facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Six years of journey-level painting experience preferred.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and OSHA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee use of painting equipment for interior and exterior surfaces.
• Assist in preventive maintenance scheduling and project prioritization.
• Estimate projects in time, labor, and materials.
• Provide work direction to painting personnel and coordinate with contractors.

Skills

Paint application

Surface preparation

Team leadership

Safety compliance

Project estimation

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Paint equipment

Scaffolding & ladders

Safety gear

Job description

Lead Painter - Buildings & Grounds Department (2026-27)

Oakland Unified School District Buildings & Grounds - Oakland, California Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5905765

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Aug 27, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Ref. PCN2929

TITLE:

Lead, Painter

REPORTS TO:

Assigned Supervisor

DEPARTMENT:

Buildings and Grounds

CLASSIFICATION:

Classified

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

WORK YEAR/HOURS

261 days/8.0 hours (FT)

or as assigned

ISSUED:

Created: May 2010

SALARY GRADE:

B&GR 26

BASIC FUNCTION: Perform a variety of skilled journey-level work to maintain interior and exterior surfaces and painting duties. Provide work direction, and guidance to painting personnel.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to reflect the principal job elements accurately.)

E = Essential Functions

• Oversee the proper use of painting equipment in applying paint, varnish, shellac, enamel, lacquer or other protective or decorative finishes to a variety of interior and exterior surfaces. E
• Assist in establishing preventive maintenance schedules; recommend priorities of painting projects. E
• Estimate projects in terms of time, labor, and materials. E
• Scrape, sand, and waterblast, size, patch, plaster, fill and prepare surfaces for painting or repainting; mask and move and cover equipment and furniture. E
• Apply under and finish coats. E
• Refinish furniture and other equipment. E
• Erect rig; move ladders, scaffolding, and platforms. E
• Layout and mark parking lots and play areas. E
• Perform repetitive activities involved with graffiti removal. E
• Mix paints and match colors. E
• Clean and maintain brushes, tools, and other equipment. E
• Maintain routine records as assigned. E
• Assist supervisor to plan, schedule, and lead the day-to-day operations of assigned personnel. E
• Work with all District employees, architecture, and engineering employees, and outside contractors. E
• Provide work direction and guidance to painting personnel. E

Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to: graduation from high school and six years of journey-level painting experience.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Valid California Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion

(Eight years of fieldwork experience may be substituted for the California Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion at the discretion of the Director)

Valid California Driver’s License

Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures governing workscope
• Safety and Health Protection on the Job (OSHA Regulations)
• Safe working methods and procedures
• Technical aspects of field of specialty
• Brush, roller, and spray painting practices and procedures
• Preparation of various surfaces
• Application of paints and finishes to various surfaces
• Safety precautions in handling and storage of painting materials
• Safety procedures pertaining to ladders, rigging, and scaffolds
• Dry wall patching application

ABILITY TO:

• Apply paints and prepare surfaces by hand and power equipment
• Mix and match colors
• Erect and work from ladders, rigging, and scaffolds
• Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing workscope
• Communicate effectively in English orally and in writing
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Meet schedules and timelines
• Maintain routine records
• Complete work independently with minimal supervision
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
• Observe all legal and District defensive driving practices
• Provide work direction and guidance to painting personnel

WORKING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENT:

Indoor and outdoor environment; driving a District vehicle to conduct work; seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions; working at heights to perform work from scaffolding and platforms; regular exposure to vapors from paints and solvents; potential exposure to toxic fumes and hazardous materials.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Consistent mental alertness and dexterity of fingers and both arms and hands to ensure safety and successful completion of essential functions; standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods of time; lifting and carrying light to moderately-heavy objects, occasionally more than 50 pounds; pushing and pulling exerting force to approximately 50 pounds, occasionally 50+ pounds; handling small to large-sized materials, equipment or items; climbing up and down ladders, scaffolding, and standing on roofs; bending and twisting at waist and neck; crouching and crawling; kneeling and bending at the waist; reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; repetitive use of upper extremities; seeing to read, write, and to complete projects; hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Oakland Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation.

Position Type:

Full-Time

Salary:

$90,301.20 to $110,030.12 Per Year

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required