Special Activity Permit Technician

Full Time
Oakland, CA 94612
Posted
Job description
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.

Come join the Special Activity Permits team and be a part of the City of Oakland's fun and innovative activities division. The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill three Special Activity Permit Technician vacancies within the Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD). The ideal candidate will be a team player, proactive, organized, and comfortable interacting with a wide range of stakeholders.

Under immediate supervision in the EWDD, Special Activity Permit Technicians review applications and issue permits for cannabis, mobile food vending, cabaret, special events, film, and other special activity categories; respond to inquiries related to special activity permits; perform administrative support for the permit program; and perform related duties as assigned.


This is an entry level classification in the Special Activity Permits Division that performs routine tasks involving the review of applications and issuance of special activity permits. This classification is distinguished from the higher-level Special Events Coordinator in that the latter oversees related permitting functions, performs more technical and detailed review, and has greater knowledge of related codes and ordinances.

Incumbents receive immediate supervision from management staff.


This is a public contact position. Although no current vacancies require a specific language, bilingual skills are highly desirable, particularly Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese, and the eligible list may be used to fill future vacancies that may require bilingual skills.

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.

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Working for the City of Oakland

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Advise the public on special activity permit requirements and the related permit application process; receive and respond to inquiries from applicants and the public about the special activity permitting process.
  • Receive special activity permit applications; review applications for completeness and accuracy; and issue special activity permits.
  • Calculate, assess, and process appropriate application and permit fees.
  • Verify licenses, City business tax certificates, insurance, and property ownership.
  • Research permit application status and records.
  • Route applications and permits to other departments or outside agencies.
  • Log permit activities.
  • Schedule meetings and inspections.
  • Update permit records and files; enter data into automated systems.
  • Retrieve and file documents.
  • Respond to public information requests.

Minimum Requirements for Application

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

Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, public or business administration, economics, urban studies, public policy or a related field is desirable.

Experience: One (1) year of varied permit processing experience or one (1) year of customer service experience involving the interpretation and application of rules and regulations, heavy interaction with the public, and data entry into automated databases.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements:


None required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:
  • Customer service techniques involving telephone answering, visitor reception, and email etiquette.
  • Municipal code and related regulations, including cannabis, mobile food vending, cabaret, special events, film, or other special activity permit requirements.
  • Basic mathematics.
  • Filing systems and record keeping.
  • Business licensing concepts.
  • Computer systems and software applications including automated permit management systems.

Ability to:
  • Interpret and apply regulations, policies, procedures, and practices.
  • Maintain records.
  • Follow oral and written directions.
  • Review applications for completeness and accuracy.
  • Research information related to permit applications.
  • Provide effective and courteous customer service; deal tactfully with a diverse public; resolve issues and provide guidance.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written form.
  • Operate standard office equipment.
  • Utilize computer systems and software applications including automated permit management systems.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties. These duties may occur in a demanding environment with significant public interaction.

Supplemental Information

The Selection Process

Stage I: The first stage in the selection process will consist of a review of each applicant's employment application for minimum qualifications (weighted pass/fail). Applications submitted without all required materials will not be given further consideration.

Stage II: The second stage will consist of a written examination (weighted 100%) that will test the knowledge, skills and abilities listed in the qualifications section. If a sufficient number of quality application packets are received, the written exam may be followed by a third stage and the most qualified applicants will be invited to the next stage. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement to Stage III.

Stage III: The third stage may consist of an oral examination (weighted 100%) that will test the knowledge, skills and abilities listed in the qualifications section.

The ranked eligible list may be developed directly from the written exam OR the results of Stage III. Candidates must earn a scale score of 70 in this examination process to be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration.

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 as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.

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 work stations 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.).

Our on-line 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.

Date of Examination:
Tentative written exam date February 23, 2023

NOTICE: The City of Oakland has adopted a COVID-19 Employee Mandatory Vaccination Policy.
Under the policy, all employees must, as a condition of employment: (1) report their vaccination status to the City no later than November 15, 2021; and (2) be fully vaccinated and verify that vaccination status to the City no later than November 29, 2021, unless the employee has applied for an exemption and is awaiting the City’s response or has been granted an exemption, or unless stricter State or Federal legal requirements apply. If offered employment, you will receive instructions regarding how to provide verification of vaccination or how to apply for an exemption which will be required prior to your start date. You may read the entire policy here (Download PDF reader).

The City of Oakland is an EEO/ADA Employer.

The City complies with all Federal, State and local laws mandating Equal Employment Opportunities. All qualified applicants will be considered in accordance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

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