Salary : $106,175.16 - $130,362.00 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 26-SC204-08
Department: Economic & Workforce Development Department
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UM2

The Position

The City of Oakland is seeking a Program Analyst III (Selective Certification - Cultural Funding Coordinator) to join the Economic & Workforce Development Department's Cultural Affairs Division during an exciting period of growth and innovation. This highly visible leadership role supports the Cultural Affairs Manager in advancing strategic initiatives that strengthen Oakland's arts and cultural ecosystem through grantmaking, fundraising, policy development, program implementation, contract and budget oversight, and community partnerships. The position also plays a central role in supporting the Cultural Affairs Commission by coordinating meeting logistics, preparing agendas and reports, managing communications, and ensuring effective administration. The ideal candidate brings knowledge of Oakland and the Bay Area's cultural landscape, strong customer service and public speaking skills, and the ability to represent the Division at public meetings, conferences, and community events while building relationships with artists, organizations, and stakeholders.
The Program Analyst III (Selective Certification - Cultural Funding Coordinator) leads complex projects, conducts research and analysis, develops and administers programs, negotiates contracts, manages grants, prepares reports and recommendations for City leadership and advisory bodies, and supervises Program Analyst II staff and other assigned team members.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Mission-driven and culturally grounded - Passionate about advancing arts, culture, and equity, with a deep appreciation for Oakland's diverse cultural landscape.
• Experienced in grant development and administration - Demonstrated expertise in designing, writing, managing, and reporting on grant-funded programs, including overseeing full grant cycles from application through implementation, compliance, and evaluation.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented - Builds and maintains strong partnerships with artists, cultural organizations, funders, and community stakeholders across Oakland and the broader Bay Area.
• Strategic and adaptable - Thrives in evolving environments, embraces change, and is excited to help rebuild and strengthen funding strategies while launching new initiatives and pilot programs.
• Experienced in managing and leading teams - Experienced in supervising staff, mentoring team members, and fostering a supportive, accountable, and high-performing team environment.
• Data-driven and analytical - Skilled at interpreting and presenting data to inform decision-making, evaluating program impact, and communicating results to diverse stakeholders.
• Poised and diplomatic - An engaging and polished public speaker who can independently represent the Division at conferences, community events, public meetings, and high-level events, while also serving as a partner to the Cultural Affairs Manager in shared presentations, meetings, and external engagements.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Serving as a liaison and representing the Division publicly - Build relationships with community stakeholders and represent the Cultural Affairs Division at meetings, events, and conferences. Serve as a visible and trusted ambassador for the City. Manage public facing communications through social media and e-newsletters with support from Program Analyst II staff.
• Leading and managing key cultural programs and initiatives - Plan, implement, and continuously improve programs that support Oakland's artists, cultural organizations, and creative communities, including new pilot efforts.
• Developing and managing funding and grants - Independently, and in partnership with the Cultural Affairs Manager, lead both grant making and grant writing activities, including identifying and pursuing external funding opportunities; research, develop, write and manage grant proposals; and design, administer, and evaluate grant programs that distribute funding to artists, cultural organizations, and other eligible recipients. Support broader fundraising and resource-development efforts to expand funding for Oakland's arts and culture programs.
• Overseeing contracts and program budgets - Manage contracts with artists, organizations, and partners; monitor budgets and expenditures; and help ensure funds are used effectively and in compliance with City requirements.
• Analyzing and preparing data and reports - Track program outcomes, analyze data, and prepare clear, compelling reports and presentations for City leadership, boards, funders, and the public.
• Supervising and supporting staff - Directly manage Program Analyst II staff and oversee interns, administrative staff, and other assigned team members by setting priorities, providing guidance, and supporting professional development.
• Supporting division strategy and leadership - Work closely with the Cultural Affairs Manager to advance strategic goals, shape new initiatives, and help guide the Division's overall direction during a period of rebuilding and growth. In partnership with Program Analyst II staff, manage the administrative support for the Cultural Affairs Commission, including coordinating agendas and meeting materials, collecting and organizing submissions, and preparing reports, updates, and presentations for Commission meetings and related bodies.

The Program Analyst III (Selective Certification - Cultural Funding Coordinator) 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:

• Make a visible impact on Oakland's cultural future - You will help shape programs, policies, and investments that directly support artists, cultural organizations, and the city's diverse creative communities.
• Step into a leadership and public-facing role - You will serve as a key partner to the Cultural Affairs Manager, represent the City at events and conferences, and be a recognized liaison in Oakland's arts and culture ecosystem.
• Be part of a rebuilding and innovation moment - You will contribute to strengthening funding strategies and launching new pilot programs, with real opportunity to influence how the Division evolves.
• Work at the intersection of creativity and strategy - You will combine data analysis, program development, and community engagement in a role that is both analytical and mission-driven.
• Collaborate with passionate colleagues and community partners - You will work alongside dedicated staff, artists, and organizations who are deeply committed to advancing arts, culture, and equity in Oakland.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Rebuilding sustainable funding for cultural programs - You will have to navigate a constrained and dynamic funding landscape while helping to identify, secure, and stabilize resources for grants and other initiatives.
• Working in a dynamic and shifting environment - You will need to adapt to changing priorities, new leadership directions, and evolving programs as the Division grows and refines its approach.
• Balancing multiple high-impact priorities - You will manage complex projects, contracts, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously while ensuring quality outcomes and meeting critical deadlines.
• Engaging diverse stakeholders with varying needs - You will have to build trust and align interests across artists, community organizations, funders, and City leadership-often with competing perspectives.
• Translating complex data into clear, actionable insights - You will analyze program outcomes and effectively communicate results to a wide range of audiences, from community members to policymakers.

Competencies Required:

• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• 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.
• 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
• Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
• Presentation Skills: Formally delivering information to groups
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• 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.

For Selective Certification (Cultural Funding Coordinator)

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 Cultural Funding Coordinator, 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 arts administration or in a related field. Graduate degree in arts administration is preferred.
Experience:

Four (4) years of work experience in cultural funding program administration, including one (1) year of lead direction or supervisory experience.

License or Certification / Other Requirements:Individuals who are 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.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with grant writing, grant making, and grant management, including developing applications, administering grant programs, monitoring compliance, and preparing required reports.
• Experience analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, and translating findings into clear reports, recommendations, and presentations for a variety of audiences.
• Experience managing or supporting public-facing programs or initiatives, including coordinating implementation, tracking outcomes, and ensuring accountability for results.
• Experience working in a public agency or government setting. Familiarity with public sector operations, including navigating administrative procedures, compliance requirements, public meetings, and interdepartmental coordination.

Supplemental Information
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 requireme