Program Analyst III (SC Watershed)

Salary : $106,175.16 - $130,362.00 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 26-SC204-11
Department: Oakland Public Works Department
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UM2

The Position

The City of Oakland is recruiting three (3) Program Analyst III (Selective Certification - Watershed) positions in the Watershed and Stormwater Management Division within the Department of Public Works.

The big picture of this work is to:

1. Keep pollutants out of stormwater and waterways
2. Maintain and improve the health of creeks and watersheds
3. Coordinate and implement Citywide compliance with stormwater and creek protection regulations
4. Help plan stormwater system rehabilitation and upgrades, including green stormwater infrastructure and creek restoration
5. Plan and manage projects and programs

We work on various stormwater pollution prevention programs, green stormwater infrastructure planning and projects, creek protection and restoration, water quality in Lake Merritt and other waterways, environmental review of proposed developments and City projects, investigation of and enforcement against creek violations and illegal pollution discharges to the storm drainage system. Additional program information is posted at
The Watershed Program Specialists work in a cohort of three to four under a unit supervisor. The broader Watershed Division also includes a small team of engineers, a capital improvements project manager, and a division manager. The current team is experienced, motivated, hardworking, and effective.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about helping the environment, community, and the focus and purpose of our work.
• Self-motivated, organized, and accountable.
• A team player.
• Flexible and adaptable to changes in requirements, assignments, and situations.
• A critical and analytical thinker and problem solver.
• Willing to learn new things to keep up with changing regulations, teams, priorities, and situations.
• Personable, with a drive to ensure that others are treated with dignity and respect.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Helping to implement stormwater, waterway, and watershed projects and programs to address technical and regulatory issues. Often in coordination with other City departments and divisions as well as external stakeholders.
• Providing training and technical guidance on watershed and stormwater management.
• Delivering stormwater management, habitat improvement, restoration, stormwater permit compliance, and/or water quality projects on time and within budget.
• Conducting field investigations regarding regulatory status, waterway, water quality, drainage issues, and various field conditions. Coordinating response and enforcement related to illegal discharges to creeks and storm drains.
• Coordinating inspection programs for stormwater pollution prevention by businesses, private land drainage areas, green stormwater infrastructure, trash assessments, etc.
• Reviewing development proposals for conformity with Creek Protection regulations and Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) compliance.
• Reviewing, interpreting, and preparing technical documents related to water quality and stormwater regulations, stormwater management systems, riparian habitat, hydrology, and/or creek restoration.
• Updating Geographic Information System (GIS) map layers and tools, and assisting with storm drainage system asset management tasks

The Program Analyst III - Selective Certification Watershed position requires additional qualifications to the general Program Analyst III. The general Program Analyst III job description is posted here:

*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
A few reasons you might love this job:

• You can meaningfully improve the environment and help the community.
• You can be creative, think outside the box, and problem-solve daily.
• You will work alongside dedicated staff and community partners who bring their expertise, passion, and commitment to serving Oakland's diverse communities.
• You will be part of a dedicated, talented, and caring team that values both the work we do and the people we work with.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will collaborate across departments to address environmental impacts and regulatory compliance challenges associated with illegal dumping, homelessness, blight, and legacy pollutants
• You will navigate project and program staffing and funding constraints.
• You will navigate City protocols, organizational hierarchies, and administrative processes to effectively deliver results.
• You will encounter manual processes and outdated or incomplete resources and collaborate to transition and improve them (i.e. digital tools, updated maps, streamlined workflows, etc.).

Competencies Required

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Leading Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions, functions, or teams
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives

Minimum Requirements for Application
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.

Selective Certification Watershed

This recruitment is being announced in accordance with Section 5.03 of the Civil Service Rules. The eligible list generated from this announcement will only be used to fill Program Analyst III positions specialized in Watershed, including full-time and permanent part-time positions, if applicable, and may be used to fill future vacancies with the same Selective Certification.

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

Education:
Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, geography, geology, hydrology, environmental engineering, landscape architecture, or related field from an accredited college/university. A Master's degree and/or Stormwater Management Certificate is desirable.
Experience:
Four (4) years relevant experience in environmental program administration (stormwater/watershed management desirable), regulatory compliance, and environmental projects or programs (stormwater- or waterway-related desirable), including one (1) year lead direction or supervisory experience.
Desirable Qualifications:

• Fieldwork experience
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Working use of Spanish, Chinese, or other non-English languages spoken and used in Oakland.
• Environmental justice experience
• Possessing a relevant professional certification such as:
  
  • American Public Works Association Certified Stormwater Manager
  • Qualified SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) Practitioner
  • Qualified SWPPP Developer
  • Qualified Industrial Storm Water Practitioner
  • Certified Stormwater Inspector

Supplemental Information
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 sent a writing exercise (weighted 100%), which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. You will have 7 days from the time you receive the exam link to complete and submit your written responses. The writing exercise will evaluate candidates on Adaptability (weight = 23.5%), Attention to Detail (weight = 22.0%), Displaying Ownership & Accountability (weight = 21.6%), Writing (weight = 20.4%), and Professional & Technical Expertise (weight = 12.5%). The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is the week of December 14, 2026.

Candidates requesting reasonable accommodations for the examination process must request accommodations no later than one week before they are scheduled to take the exam; otherwise, it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. 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: Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to the exam analyst: Armando Falcon at afalcon@oaklandca.gov

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?

• 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, & Teleco