City of Oakland
Chief Homelessness Solutions Officer (Exempt)
City of Oakland, Oakland, California, United States, 94616
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.
The classification title for this position is Project Manager III, however the working job title is Chief Homelessness Solutions Officer (CHSO). This position will report to the City Administrator’s Office – in the newly created Office of Homelessness Solutions. The Office of Homelessness Solutions will serve as the lead entity coordinating services across departments, community partners, and all levels of government; track funding and leverage outcome data to guide policy and program decisions; improve coordination, accountability, and equity outcomes across service provision—from encampment management to emergency shelters to permanent housing; and implement the forthcoming Oakland Homelessness Strategic Action Plan to guide resources into programs that are racially equitable and proven to work.
The CHSO will provide leadership around the coordination of homelessness interventions across relevant City departments and agencies as well as fiscal and programmatic coordination of the City’s homelessness response systems. The CHSO will serve as the primary spokesperson on issues of homelessness and will represent the City of Oakland with elected leadership, business allies, governmental partners, service providers, philanthropic organizations, advocacy and community/neighborhood groups.
This position will provide guidance for the City’s Encampment Management and Community Homelessness Services teams and will lead the coordination of Federal, State, County, City, and philanthropic funding specifically earmarked for homelessness in coordination with the Directors of Human Services and Housing and Community Development. The role will staff the Commission on Homelessness and will regularly update City of Oakland leadership including the Mayor’s Office, the City Administrator’s Office, and City Council.
The CHSO will play a critical role in coordinating citywide efforts to reduce unsheltered homelessness and must bring passion and a commitment to equity, public service, fiscal responsibility, and innovation and efficiency in government. The Office of Homelessness Solutions will work in close alignment with partners at Alameda County towards reaching a shared goal of eliminating homelessness for all, but especially for those most impacted by racial disparities.
Why join the City of Oakland?
This is a rare opportunity to lead and develop a newly established office with the visibility and influence to drive meaningful change. As Oakland’s Chief Homelessness Solutions Officer, you will shape citywide strategy, build innovative partnerships, and advance equity for those most impacted. This role is more than a leadership position, it is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives while guiding Oakland toward a sustainable, equitable future.
*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
The duties of this function include addressing the disproportionately Black, Indigenous, People of Color homeless population by analyzing for, and removing barriers to,equitableservice delivery to these residents.
The Chief Homelessness Solutions Officer will typically be responsible for: Leading strategies and operations of the Office of Homelessness Solutions to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring—especially among racially impacted populations.
Providingstrategic guidance across departments on homelessness-related priorities, policies, and emerging issues.
Aligning andoptimizinghomelessness response efforts, including coordinating street outreach, homeless encampment mitigation, Interim housing solutions.
Building and strengthening partnerships with Alameda County, Oakland Housing Authority, Service providers, and Affordable housing partners.
Co-chairing an interdepartmental working group to evaluate and improve homelessness policies, programs, and administrative systems.
Coordinating long-term planning with City agencies and external partners.
Preparing and reviewing staff reports, resolutions, and communications for the City Administrator, Council, and commissions.
Engaging with elected officials, stakeholders, and the public to promote and support homelessness initiatives.
Evaluating departmental operations and lead implementation of multi-year plans for improved effectiveness and efficiency.
In addition to the above, the ideal candidate should be comfortable with the following types of tasks: Working in homeless encampment environments; engaging with stakeholders, residents, business, and members of the unhoused community.
Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with multiple Community Based Organizations (CBOs), City departments, residents, elected officials, external agencies and other stakeholders necessary to coordinate services and support the City’s Homelessness systems.
Coordinating and collaborating with partners to ensure completion and execution of encampment response and management operations, which may include resolving potential challenges to project implementation and providing support to collaborative partners on how best to work together toward the common agenda and goals.
Read the complete class specification here:
Project Manager III
The ideal candidate will be someone who is: A proven leader and skilled collaborator.
You excel at uniting City departments, agencies, and partners to work toward shared homelessness strategies.
An expert in policy, program, and fiscal management.
You have a proven track record of expertly managing diverse funding streams, including Federal, State, County, City, and philanthropic dollars to maximize impact and drive results.
An exceptional communicator.
You are a compelling spokesperson who builds trust with diverse stakeholders and confidently represents the City in public, political, and community arenas.
Deeply committed to equity.
You have a strong, demonstrated commitment to advancing equity by effectively addressing disparities affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color experiencing homelessness.
Experienced in operational oversight.
You possess the leadership skills to drive high-performing teams like Encampment Management and Community Homelessness Services toward impactful, measurable results.
Politically astute.
You navigate high-profile, sensitive issues with diplomacy and provide clear, timely updates to elected officials, the Mayor, City Administrator, and City Council.
A few reasons you might love this job: Impact: Increase the supply of safe, stable homeless solutions and affordable housing options, and reverse the legacy of racial and economic injustice.
High Visibility: Extensive interaction and a high level of visibility with the Mayor, Council, and numerous community leaders.
Collaboration: Play an integral part of the passionate CAO leadership, aggressively pursuing City goals related to homelessness.
Policy and Advocacy Direction: Lead City's agenda by building power among the people most impacted by housing injustice, shaping the narrative, and advocating statewide and regional policy solutions.
A few challenges you might face in this job: Time-sensitive deadlines: The role requires managing projects with strict, time-sensitive deadlines, often balancing multiple priorities without compromising quality.
Multi-faceted responsibilities: Success in this position depends on handling multi-faceted responsibilities that span strategic planning, operational execution, and cross-department coordination.
Navigating relationships and competing interests: A key challenge involves navigating complex relationships and balancing competing interests among stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
To succeed in this position,
the ideal candidate will
demonstrate
the following competencies:
Building &MaintainingRelationships
:
Establishingrapport andmaintainingmutually productive relationships
Critical Thinking
:
Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, andclaims
Displaying Ownership and Accountability
:
Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality,timely, and cost-effective results.
Influencing
:
Affecting or changing others’ positions and opinions
Innovative Problem Solving
:
Identifyingand analyzing problemsin order topropose new and better ways of doingthings
Involving Others (Engaging Teams):
Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
Leadership
:
Guiding and encouraging others toaccomplisha common goal
Oral Communication
:
Engaging effectively indialogue
Political & Organizational Savvy
:
Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels andboundaries
Presentation Skill
:
Formally delivering information togroups
Professional Impact:
Presenting self as a positive representative of theorganization
Professional & Technical Expertise
:
Applying technical subject matter to thejob
Strategic Thinking & Perspective
:
Evaluating immediate actions in context of achieving long range objectives
Valuing Diversity
:
Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in theworkplace
Writing
:
Communicating effectively in writing
The following qualifications are guidelines, as the appointing authority has broad discretion in filling positions in this classification.
Education : A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Project Management, Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Health, or other related field.
Experience : Five (5) years of progressively responsible project manager and executive leadership experience related to homelessness services or housing for homeless and at-risk populations (examples of City sponsored services include, but are not limited to, Emergency Housing Programs, Permanent Supportive Housing Programs, Homeless Outreach Services, Homeless Prevention or Rapid Diversion Programs etc.)
Desirable Qualifications: Experience with federally funded programs.
Supervisory experience, overseeing a team working in a homelessness services or community housing programs.
A master’s degreedirectly relatedto the project assignment
License or Certificate / 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. This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902
. Applications received will be
forwarded
to the hiring department for further consideration. Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be considered for this role. What’s
in it for you? Work/Life Balance:
37.5-hour
work weeks
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 the full 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:
Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Vision:
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, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
*Please Note: Salary is negotiable within the defined range depending on qualifications. Furthermore, benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Applicants
are required to
submit
criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not
finished
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: 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 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 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 Sasha Hauswald
at
SHauswald@oaklandca.gov
.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Chief Homelessness Solutions Officer will typically be responsible for: Leading strategies and operations of the Office of Homelessness Solutions to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring—especially among racially impacted populations.
Providingstrategic guidance across departments on homelessness-related priorities, policies, and emerging issues.
Aligning andoptimizinghomelessness response efforts, including coordinating street outreach, homeless encampment mitigation, Interim housing solutions.
Building and strengthening partnerships with Alameda County, Oakland Housing Authority, Service providers, and Affordable housing partners.
Co-chairing an interdepartmental working group to evaluate and improve homelessness policies, programs, and administrative systems.
Coordinating long-term planning with City agencies and external partners.
Preparing and reviewing staff reports, resolutions, and communications for the City Administrator, Council, and commissions.
Engaging with elected officials, stakeholders, and the public to promote and support homelessness initiatives.
Evaluating departmental operations and lead implementation of multi-year plans for improved effectiveness and efficiency.
In addition to the above, the ideal candidate should be comfortable with the following types of tasks: Working in homeless encampment environments; engaging with stakeholders, residents, business, and members of the unhoused community.
Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with multiple Community Based Organizations (CBOs), City departments, residents, elected officials, external agencies and other stakeholders necessary to coordinate services and support the City’s Homelessness systems.
Coordinating and collaborating with partners to ensure completion and execution of encampment response and management operations, which may include resolving potential challenges to project implementation and providing support to collaborative partners on how best to work together toward the common agenda and goals.
Read the complete class specification here:
Project Manager III
The ideal candidate will be someone who is: A proven leader and skilled collaborator.
You excel at uniting City departments, agencies, and partners to work toward shared homelessness strategies.
An expert in policy, program, and fiscal management.
You have a proven track record of expertly managing diverse funding streams, including Federal, State, County, City, and philanthropic dollars to maximize impact and drive results.
An exceptional communicator.
You are a compelling spokesperson who builds trust with diverse stakeholders and confidently represents the City in public, political, and community arenas.
Deeply committed to equity.
You have a strong, demonstrated commitment to advancing equity by effectively addressing disparities affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color experiencing homelessness.
Experienced in operational oversight.
You possess the leadership skills to drive high-performing teams like Encampment Management and Community Homelessness Services toward impactful, measurable results.
Politically astute.
You navigate high-profile, sensitive issues with diplomacy and provide clear, timely updates to elected officials, the Mayor, City Administrator, and City Council.
A few reasons you might love this job: Impact: Increase the supply of safe, stable homeless solutions and affordable housing options, and reverse the legacy of racial and economic injustice.
High Visibility: Extensive interaction and a high level of visibility with the Mayor, Council, and numerous community leaders.
Collaboration: Play an integral part of the passionate CAO leadership, aggressively pursuing City goals related to homelessness.
Policy and Advocacy Direction: Lead City's agenda by building power among the people most impacted by housing injustice, shaping the narrative, and advocating statewide and regional policy solutions.
A few challenges you might face in this job: Time-sensitive deadlines: The role requires managing projects with strict, time-sensitive deadlines, often balancing multiple priorities without compromising quality.
Multi-faceted responsibilities: Success in this position depends on handling multi-faceted responsibilities that span strategic planning, operational execution, and cross-department coordination.
Navigating relationships and competing interests: A key challenge involves navigating complex relationships and balancing competing interests among stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
To succeed in this position,
the ideal candidate will
demonstrate
the following competencies:
Building &MaintainingRelationships
:
Establishingrapport andmaintainingmutually productive relationships
Critical Thinking
:
Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, andclaims
Displaying Ownership and Accountability
:
Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality,timely, and cost-effective results.
Influencing
:
Affecting or changing others’ positions and opinions
Innovative Problem Solving
:
Identifyingand analyzing problemsin order topropose new and better ways of doingthings
Involving Others (Engaging Teams):
Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
Leadership
:
Guiding and encouraging others toaccomplisha common goal
Oral Communication
:
Engaging effectively indialogue
Political & Organizational Savvy
:
Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels andboundaries
Presentation Skill
:
Formally delivering information togroups
Professional Impact:
Presenting self as a positive representative of theorganization
Professional & Technical Expertise
:
Applying technical subject matter to thejob
Strategic Thinking & Perspective
:
Evaluating immediate actions in context of achieving long range objectives
Valuing Diversity
:
Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in theworkplace
Writing
:
Communicating effectively in writing
The following qualifications are guidelines, as the appointing authority has broad discretion in filling positions in this classification.
Education : A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Project Management, Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Health, or other related field.
Experience : Five (5) years of progressively responsible project manager and executive leadership experience related to homelessness services or housing for homeless and at-risk populations (examples of City sponsored services include, but are not limited to, Emergency Housing Programs, Permanent Supportive Housing Programs, Homeless Outreach Services, Homeless Prevention or Rapid Diversion Programs etc.)
Desirable Qualifications: Experience with federally funded programs.
Supervisory experience, overseeing a team working in a homelessness services or community housing programs.
A master’s degreedirectly relatedto the project assignment
License or Certificate / 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. This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902
. Applications received will be
forwarded
to the hiring department for further consideration. Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be considered for this role. What’s
in it for you? Work/Life Balance:
37.5-hour
work weeks
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 the full 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:
Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Vision:
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, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
*Please Note: Salary is negotiable within the defined range depending on qualifications. Furthermore, benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Applicants
are required to
submit
criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not
finished
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: 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 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 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 Sasha Hauswald
at
SHauswald@oaklandca.gov
.
#J-18808-Ljbffr