Recycling Program Specialist III

City of Oakland; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37.5 hour work week

15 paid holidays

Vacation accrual starting at 2 weeks/\

CalPERS retirement benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Sick leave and life insurance

Deferred compensation 457(b)

Job summary

The City of Oakland is seeking a Recycling Program Specialist III within the Environmental Services Division to direct and implement a broad set of solid waste, recycling, and blight reduction programs across residences, businesses, City offices, and facilities.

The ideal candidate will lead initiatives, gather data to inform decisions, and build relationships with City staff, outside agencies, and community groups to promote sustainable waste practices in a diverse urban environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science/studies, waste management, public or business administration or related field.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, organizing, developing, and implementing recycling and waste management programs and/or environmental related programs and projects.
• Previous lead or supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• 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 evaluating work products.
• Developing and managing programs for public/staff outreach to promote recycling, waste reduction, and illegal dumping prevention policies and programs, and for investigating and enforcing against violations.
• Overseeing the identification of, application for, and administration of grants.
• Preparing technical or City Council reports and legislation.
• Staffing citizen advisory bodies, committees, and commissions, and attending meetings of community organizations, City Council, and other groups relating to program implementation.

Skills

Team leadership

Critical thinking

Organization

Performance influence

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science/studies, waste management, public or business administration

Job description

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.

Why join the City of Oakland Public Works, Environmental Services Division (ESD)?

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.

We are looking for someone who is:

• 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.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• 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 evaluating work products.
• Developing and managing programs for public/staff outreach to promote recycling, waste reduction, and illegal dumping prevention policies and programs, and for investigating and enforcing against violations.
• Overseeing the identification of, application for, and administration of grants.
• Preparing technical or City Council reports and legislation.
• Staffing citizen advisory bodies, committees, and commissions, and attending meetings of community organizations, City Council, and other groups relating to program implementation.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work on a wide variety of cutting-edge recycling/waste reduction and environmental enforcement programs
• Your work will have a direct impact on creating a cleaner, safer, and healthier Oakland through policy, environmental enforcement, and waste prevention in a community with a rich and dynamic history.
• You will be a part of a passionate, fun, and diverse group of environmental professionals
• You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other environmental disciplines such as environmental stewardship/volunteer programs, climate action planning, stormwater, keep Oakland clean and beautiful and environmental protection and compliance.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need to deliver services quickly while balancing priorities and will navigate City bureaucracy to coordinate with other work groups to implement programs.
• You will have to navigate complex rules, regulations, and policies that govern Oakland’s diverse portfolio of solid waste reduction, recycling, and enforcement programs.
• You will have less resources than ideas to complete your goals.

Competencies Required:

• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
• Design Sense: Creating work products that are functional, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

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

Education: A Bachelor's degree with a major in environmental science/studies, waste management, public or business administration or a related field. (A degree in a field other than those listed or a related field will be reviewed for consideration as a substitution for the qualifying educational background. Related experience may also be considered for substitution.)

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, organizing, developing, and implementing recycling and waste management programs and/or environmental related programs and projects. Previous lead or supervisory experience is highly desirable.

The Recruitment Process:

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.

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.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the structured interview (sometimes referred to as an Oral Exam) (weighted 100%), which will be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The structured interview will be conducted as a one-way video interview, where you will record your responses to a set of questions. You will have 7 days from the time you receive the interview link to complete and submit your video responses. The tentative date of the structured interview is the week of November 16, 2026.

Please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation in Testing form by clicking on this link or by copying and pasting the link into your browser to open it. https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Request-for-Reasonable-Accommodation-in-Testing-2.9.22-Fillable.pdf

Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to the exam analyst: Cynthia Ng at [e-mail].

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’s in it for you?

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks
• 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 the full 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: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: 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, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here: Working for Oakland | City of Oakland, CA

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.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.