Assistant to the Director (Department of Transportation) (Exempt)

City of Oakland, CA•Oakland, CA

36d

About The Position

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. The Department of Transportation (OakDOT) provides safe, equitable and reliable transportation services to the City of Oakland. We design, construct and maintain transportation networks that connects Oakland's communities and supports mobility for all users. This position serves as a core leading member of the City's Safe Oakland Streets (SOS) an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to preventing serious and fatal traffic collisions and eliminating crash inequities through data-driven and community-centered strategies. The Assistant to the Director will develop strategies and provide high-level advice to the Director of the Department of Transportation on a broad array of transportation issues to advance the goals of OakDOT. As a member of OakDOT's Executive Management Team, this role collaborates with OakDOT team members to shape progressive transportation policies, promote transportation equity, and strengthen OakDOT's role as a national leader in transportation equity and mobility. The position also coordinates the government and regulatory affairs responsibilities of the department at the local, county, regional, state, and federal levels. We are looking for someone who is: A Thought Partner. You will be a strategic thought partner and confidant to the Director. You will be expected to understand technical, financial, political, and cultural aspects of the department to provide key decision-making support. A Designated Proxy. When the Director is internally focused, you will represent them in meetings and collaborate with the leadership team to make decisions on their behalf. This includes engagement with key regional partners such as AC Transit, Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and CalCity Transportation (CACTI). An Executor. You will lead cross-functional special projects of strategic importance to the department. A Racial Equity Team (RET) Amplifier. The department has made a solid commitment to continuously view its issues and solutions through a race and equity lens. Understanding that this issue is complex and can be dynamic, you will oversee the department's RET staff and serve as the conscience of the leadership team by holding it accountable to its values. A Legislative Leader. You will remain up to date on local, state, and federal legislative matters with the potential to affect the department. Knowledgeable of City Council Relations. The department has implemented a process to provide support to City Council members and their staff, ensuring workloads remain reasonable and sustainable. You will monitor this effort and make any necessary adjustments to engage, while not sacrificing project delivery.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, accounting, or a related field.
Five years of progressively responsible experience performing complex administrative duties including two years of supervisory experience.
An incumbent in this position is 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 an efficient method for traveling to required locations. An individual 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.
Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others
Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
Managing Organizational Complexity: Maneuvering through complex political situations and functions within the organization
Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
Political & Organizational Savvy: Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries
Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

Nice To Haves

A master's degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

Providing daily administrative support to the department head; acting as a liaison between the department and outside agencies.
Assisting in the development of short- and long-range planning for departmental activities.
Directing, supervising, and evaluating lower-level professional and paraprofessional staff, including the Race and Equity Program Analyst III.
Participating in public information projects.
Researching, preparing, and analyzing complex reports and preparing draft legislation in response to Council and City Administrator requests.
Responding to and resolving citizen questions and complaints.
Reviewing City Council agenda materials and staff reports.

Benefits

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.