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 Oakland Fire Department?

The Emergency Management Services Division (EMSD) is a vital part of the Oakland Fire Department dedicated to ensuring the city’s readiness to respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters. EMSD works to protect Oakland’s vibrant and diverse community through innovative planning, training, and coordination with local, state, and federal government, and non-profit partners. Our goal is to build a safer and more resilient Oakland by preparing for all hazards such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and other crises.

As part of a small, dynamic, and diverse team, this position will contribute to key initiatives, including developing and maintaining comprehensive emergency plans, coordinating citywide training and exercises, and engaging the public in preparedness efforts. EMSD prioritizes equity in emergency management, ensuring that vulnerable and underserved communities are included in all aspects of planning and response. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking team making a tangible difference in the safety and resilience of Oakland.

We are looking for someone who:

• Values Diversity:  You understand and respect the diverse needs of Oakland’s communities and you are committed to promoting fairness and inclusion in all aspects of emergency management. 
• Fosters Collaboration:  You are skilled in working across departments and organizations to build a collaborative environment to achieve common goals.
• Is Passionate about Community Engagement:  You are committed to building and maintaining relationships with diverse community organizations and community members and building an inclusive environment while increasing community resilience. 
• I s an Excellent Communicator:  You are a strong technical writer with excellent verbal and written communication skills who can convey complex information clearly and effectively. You also enjoy public speaking and group dynamics.
• Enjoys a fast-paced environment:  You are adaptable and flexible, thrive in a fast-paced workplace, and are adept at project management in an environment of competing priorities. 
• Is Technologically Proficient:  You are comfortable with using and learning new technologies for emergency management.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Conducting emergency preparedness, response, and recovery training and exercises in partnership with internal stakeholders and community members
• Supporting the development and update of emergency plans
• Assisting the Division and other departments in maintaining a state of readiness 
• Assisting with preparing program papers, operations manuals, and grant applications for emergency preparedness projects
• Planning and organizing workshops with partner agencies and creating training curriculums
• Training neighborhood emergency response teams 
• Conducting emergency notifications and warnings to the public
• Participating in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations as a member of the Planning Section

Read the complete job description for Emergency Planning Coordinator by clicking  here .
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will experience the satisfaction of knowing your work saves lives and strengthens Oakland’s resilience. You will be able to see the tangible results of your work in improved community preparedness and disaster response.
• Your work will address the diverse needs of the community by prioritizing equity and inclusivity in access to emergency resources.
• You will work alongside a small, energetic, and highly diverse team of professionals who are passionate about protecting the city and its residents.
• You will work alongside first responders, government agencies, non-profits, and community organizations to build valuable partnerships among diverse groups.
• You will have significant opportunities for professional growth through training and exercises, community collaboration, and emergency activations. 

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be required to address a wide range of needs in Oakland’s culturally and socioeconomically diverse population through nuanced planning and constant learning.
• You will be challenged to ensure city-wide comprehensive preparedness while balancing funding and resource constraints.
• You will be tasked with motivating departments to actively engage in emergency planning, training, and exercises while navigating limited staffing and budgetary constraints.
• You will be challenged to identify creative ways to engage the community and encourage active participation in preparedness efforts. 
• You will be challenged to ensure that emergency preparedness and response materials are accessible to all members of the community.

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Reading Comprehension:  Understanding and using written information
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability:  Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Valuing Diversity:  Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Teamwork:  Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

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.

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

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, sociology, economics, or a related field. 

Experience:

Three years of experience coordinating, planning, and implementing local government emergency service programs, or four years of general administrative work experience involving the coordination and supervision of community service programs.

Other Requirements:

This position requires the incumbent to be on-call 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

Successful incumbents in this position are 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 a cost-effective or efficient method for traveling to the various locations required. 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:

• Bilingual in English, Spanish, or Cantonese
• Certified Emergency Manager or Associate Emergency Manager Certification
• Completion of Introductory and Intermediate FEMA Courses: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, ICS-300, & ICS-400
• Participation in emergency activations at local, state, or federal jurisdictional levels
• Experience with writing and managing local, state, and federal granting processes 

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). The tentative date of the structured interview is the  week of January 27, 2025 . 

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame. 

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. Some nights and weekends are required.  
• 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's 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, and Employee Training.

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. 

How to Apply 

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: .

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alanna Butler at abutler@oaklandca.gov .

Job Tags

Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Flexible hours, Night shift, Weekend work, Monday to Friday,

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