The Watershed and Stormwater Management Division of Oakland Public Works is recruiting three staff to assist with our Watershed and Stormwater management work (link to this text). 

Currently we have openings for three “Exempt Limited Duration Employee” (ELDE) Program Analyst III, Watershed Specialist.  The ELDE position can work up to 1 year for the City while we have unfilled vacancies for the permanent Program Analyst III positions.  We are working to get those positions posted, then hired, but in the meantime, through a shorter process, we will bring on ELDE’s.  ELDE’s could apply later for the permanent positions as well.  The ELDE will terminate at the one-year anniversary, or at the hiring of the permanent positions, whichever comes first.

The compensation range is $54.45 - $66.85 Hourly ($8,847.93 - $10,863.50 Monthly). 

$106,175.16 - $130,362.00 Annually

Sick leave and vacation accrual as defined by the MOU are applicable.

Health, vision, and dental insurance, commuter benefit program, flexible spending account, and guaranteed ride home commence the first month following receipt of enrollment request and required documentation.

Employee Assistance Program, Deferred Compensation (457 plan retirement account), and other benefits eligible.

The big picture of this work is to

• Keep pollutants out of stormwater​
• Maintain and improve the health of creeks and watersheds​
• Coordinate and implement Citywide compliance with stormwater protection regulations
• Help plan stormwater system rehabilitation and upgrades, including green stormwater infrastructure and creek restoration
• Plan and manage projects​

We work on various stormwater pollution prevention programs, green stormwater infrastructure, creek protection and restoration, environmental review of proposed developments and City projects, investigate and enforce against illegal pollution discharges to the storm drainage system, Lake Merritt projects, etc.  Some program information is posted at https://www.oaklandca.gov/Community/Community-Development/Sustainability-Environment/Creeks-Watershed-and-Stormwater.

Attached is general information about the Program Analyst job classification.  The Watershed work has the specific “selective certification” qualifications and duties described below.

To apply for the ELDE, by midnight, Sunday, August 2, 2026, please send a cover letter expressing your interest, resume summarizing qualifying work experience and education, up to five samples of your work such as writing samples, presentations, project portfolios/plans, GIS maps; and up to three professional references.  You must meet the qualifications below to apply and to be considered for the job.

Selective Certification

Under the direction of the Watershed Program Supervisor or Watershed Division Supervising Civil Engineer, develop and implement City projects and programs to manage the storm drainage system and ensure state and federal waterway and stormwater protection compliance mandates, such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP), are met. Lead efforts to comply with trash and other priority pollutant stormwater load reduction requirements. Conduct field investigations and related tasks for MRP compliance (such as Business Stormwater Inspection Program and illegal stormwater discharge complaint response), creek protection permit application review and creek  determinations, response to storm drainage system and waterway violation complaints, and watershed related programs; enforce Oakland's Creek Protection Ordinance; conduct technical/regulatory review of planning documents such as CEQA documents and General Plans; review development applications and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project designs; and may help manage creek restoration, full trash capture installation, green stormwater infrastructure, and other storm drainage system CIP projects. Provide fiscal management of projects and programs. Develop webpages (see our website). May assist the Division with watershed and storm drainage asset management using technology including but not limited to Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis and map layer updates for MRP compliance, infrastructure projects, and storm drainage system management.

The applicant will have considerable knowledge and experience with federal, state and local laws relating to the environment, habitat, stormwater runoff pollutants, and waterways; principles of watershed management and planning; and work experience related to pollutants of concerns, hydrology and waterway and storm drainage systems.

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, geography, geology, hydrology, landscape architecture or a related field from an accredited college or university. A Master's degree and/or Stormwater Management Certificate is desirable.

Experience

Four years of 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. Related fieldwork, Geographic Information System (GIS), and Environmental justice experience are desirable.

Duties specific to specialty

• Helps to implement stormwater, waterway, and watershed projects and programs to address technical and regulatory issues;
• Provides training and technical guidance on watershed and stormwater management topics;
• Coordinates with other City departments and divisions on projects and programs that affect stormwater, drainage, and waterways;
• Conducts field investigations regarding regulatory status, waterway, water quality, drainage issues, and various field conditions;
• Coordinates response and conducts Oakland Municipal Code 13.16 enforcement related to urgent stormwater management issues, such as illegal discharges in creeks and storm drains;
• Implements and works on projects and programs to ensure NPDES Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit compliance;
• Reviews and interprets documents of a technical nature related to water quality and stormwater regulations, stormwater management systems, riparian habitat, hydrology, and/or creek restoration.
• May work on projects that require analysis and map layer updates using a Geographic Information System (GIS) – GIS and infrastructure project work may include storm drainage asset management and compliance with the NPDES Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities specific to specialty

• Principles of watershed and stormwater management and planning.
• Federal, State and local laws, regulations and policies relating to the environment, habitat, stormwater management, water quality, waterways, and watershed land use planning.
• Current design standards and principals related to stormwater management.
• Geographic Information Systems knowledge is desirable.

Skill in/Ability to

• Develop strategies and provide direction to address complex and challenging stormwater, waterway, water quality, and environmental protection compliance and asset management issues.
• Negotiate among multiple parties to reach mutually agreeable solutions;
• Prepare, analyze, and interpret complex reports of a technical nature related to stormwater management, water quality, creek and habitat restoration, and/or environmental permitting;
• Communicate watershed and stormwater science and policy issues to diverse audiences to achieve project and program objectives;
• Effectively deliver stormwater management, habitat improvement, restoration, stormwater permit compliance, and/or water quality projects on time and within budget; use technology to assist with Watershed and Stormwater Management Division objectives such as NPDES stormwater permit compliance and asset management.

Driver’s License

Individuals hired 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