Recycling Program Specialist I

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 to 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 City of Oakland’s Public Works Department?

Situated at the heart of the Bay Area, the City of Oakland is a vibrant, diverse, and exciting place to work. It is easily accessible, at the forefront of Race and Equity work, and a full-service organization with many innovative community services.

Are you searching for a fulfilling career that allows you to make a difference and have a positive impact on the local community? Look no further! The City of Oakland's Public Works Department, Environmental Services Division, is seeking motivated and passionate individuals to join our dynamic team as a Recycling Program Specialist I. Come join a team of enthusiastic environmental professionals dedicated to promoting solid waste recycling and composting programs, supporting environmental stewardship with volunteers, providing environmental investigation and remediation services for City-owned land, and ensuring environmental regulatory compliance by City facilities and assets, all accomplished through active public outreach, stakeholder engagement, logistical support, and enforcement.

As a Recycling Program Specialist I, your role will support the planning, research, analysis, development, implementation, promotion, and monitoring of a variety of solid waste reduction and recycling programs for Oakland including residences, businesses, City offices, and facilities. This position offers an engaging work environment that combines problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and a strong dedication to environmental stewardship and efficiency.

We are recruiting for both the Recycling Program Specialist I, and Recycling Program Specialist II positions. If you would like to be considered for both positions, you must submit separate applications for each recruitment. The Recycling Program Specialist II posting can be found here: Recycling Program Specialist II

We Are Looking For Someone Who Is

• A critical thinker. You will have the opportunity to evaluate data, public opinion, and research findings. You have the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment.
• Adaptable. You will need to adapt to changing situations and environments, with the capability to take instructions from multiple senior-level staff members.
• Creative and forward-thinking. You will actively contribute to the development and betterment of innovative recycling programs, procedures and related outreach initiatives to promote solid waste reduction and recycling.
• A self-driven team player. You will have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and have a strong desire to work in public service.
• Organized and results-driven. You will need to balance multiple assignments and priorities in a dynamic environment and must ensure timely delivery of products responsive to specific needs.
• An effective communicator and relationship builder. You will play an active role to interface with various City work groups, outside agencies, and community-based organizations, and promote recycling programs to City staff and the public, establishing meaningful professional relationships and communicating with a variety of audiences.
• Customer-focused. You will address public inquiries and complaints with tact and patience to ensure customer satisfaction while enhancing public participation in the City’s recycling programs.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Conducting outreach to the public and City staff to promote recycling policies and programs.
• Managing the Recycling Hotline and investigating and responding to public complaints and requests for information regarding recycling and resource recovery.
• Assisting in the administration of Oakland’s exclusive and non-exclusive franchise agreements for solid waste collection, recycling, and composting, and management of construction and demolition debris.
• Providing staff support to citizen advisory bodies, committees, and commissions, and attend meetings of community organizations and other groups relating to program implementation.
• Supporting the planning, evaluation, design, and implementation of new or improved programs, systems, and procedures for waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery.
• Assisting in the coordination, implementation, and staffing of special events to promote public education on waste reduction and resource recovery.
• Researching, analyzing, and compiling recycling information and data, and preparing related reports, manuals, and publications.

* Read the complete job description by clicking on the link below:

Recycling Program Specialist I Class Specification

A Few Reasons You Might Love This Job

• You will be a part of a passionate, fun, and diverse group of environmental professionals.
• Your work will have a direct impact on the City’s ability to provide important public services to a community with a rich and dynamic history.
• You will have exposure to other environmental disciplines such as environmental stewardship/volunteer programs, climate action planning, and environmental protection and compliance.
• You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of cutting-edge recycling programs and projects.
• You will work near great restaurants, cultural events, and convenient public transportation.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be expected to provide timely and appropriate responses to public inquiries and complaints.
• You will need to learn complex rules, regulations, and policies that govern Oakland’s diverse portfolio of solid waste reduction and recycling programs.
• You will need to deliver services quickly while balancing priorities.
• You will need to navigate City bureaucracy to coordinate with other City work groups to implement recycling programs.

Competencies Required:

• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Influencing: Affecting or changing others’ positions and opinions
• Business Process Analysis: Defining, assessing, and improving operational processes and workflow
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other vacancies that occur within the City including full-time and permanent part-time positions, if applicable.

• 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

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 employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.

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

Education

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science/studies, waste management, public or business administration or a related field.

Experience

None required. Previous experience providing administrative support and/or technical assistance to environmental projects including outreach materials, survey work, research and analysis, tracking and monitoring deliverables, and coordination of special events is highly desirable.

License Or Certificate / Other Requirements

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 But Not Required To Apply

• Experience working with interns
• Customer service experience

Flexible Staffing: This classification has been designated for flexible staffing. Incumbents in the Recycling Program Specialist I classification may be eligible to advance without formal examination to the Recycling Program Specialist II classification in accordance with established City flexible staffing policies and procedures.

Supplemental Information

The Recruitment Process

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff review their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for the 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. For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an online multiple-choice assessment. The assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place between September 8, 2023 and September 15, 2023. Instructions will be emailed to all qualified candidates.

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.

What's in it for you?

• Sick leave - Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation - 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• 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
• Dental - The City of Oakland pays for Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• 15 paid holidays
• Vision - The City of Oakland pays for VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• 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
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Training, & Telecommuting.
• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
• Vacation - 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service

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.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.

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 on the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm . 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 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Due to current events and pandemic-related safety concerns, City facilities may be closed to the public.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's 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.

Agency

City of Oakland

Address

150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza - 2nd Floor

Oakland, California, 94612

Phone

(510) 238-3112

Website

http://www.oaklandca.gov/

Benefits May Include*

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions.

• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pension Benefits
• Dental
• CalPERS Medical
• Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements
• Vision
• Deferred Compensation
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Closing Date/Time: 8/28/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary: $74,301.12 - $91,226.28 Annually