Spatial Data Analyst III

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 City of Oakland's Information Technology Department?  

At the City of Oakland’s Information Technology Department (ITD), you’ll be part of a supportive and fun team driving innovation and digital transformation across the City. We are a dynamic, fast-paced organization committed to using technology and data to improve services for our community. Here, your work will have real impact—supporting City operations, empowering departments, and enhancing the daily lives of Oakland residents.

ITD is currently recruiting for a Spatial Data Analyst III. This technical, program management position works both within ITD and in partnership with City departments to support geographic information systems (GIS) analysis and development, with a focus on enhancing GIS platforms, improving reporting capabilities, and strengthening customer service.

We are looking for a collaborative and analytical professional who can translate complex data into actionable insights, partner with diverse teams to solve complex data and systems challenges, and implement meaningful process improvements.  This is a tremendous opportunity to contribute to innovative projects and help shape the future of IT services and operations for the City of Oakland.

We are looking for someone who is:  

• A strong analytical thinker who can interpret complex spatial and tabular data and translate it into meaningful insights.
• Experienced in system design and documentation, including entity relationship diagrams and logical data stores.
• Collaborative and team-focused, with the ability to engage others in shared problem-solving.
• Customer service focused, with experience leading technology and operational efforts that enhance service delivery across ITD and the City’s GIS platform.
• A strong communicator who can clearly document findings and explain complex data concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• A program manager with a proven track record of delivering results, working hands-on with teams to implement programs and achieve strategic goals.
• Proficient in computer applications and office productivity tools (e.g., Word, Excel, Access), with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies.

What you will typically be responsible for:  

• Analyzing spatial and tabular data to help City departments make informed decisions.
• Creating and managing digital maps, spatial data models, and logical data stores.
• Reviewing and improving databases and data structures.
• Maintaining GIS enterprise databases, including versioning and data management practices.
• Developing and supporting GIS solutions using ArcGIS tools and scripting languages such as Python and Arcade.

Read the complete job description by clicking here: Spatial Data Analyst III - City of Oakland Job Specification

*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 collaborate with a variety of teams, including end users, systems analysts, and database administrators, to solve meaningful data challenges.
• You will make a visible impact by ensuring spatial data is accurate, reliable, and high quality to support City departments and public services.
• You will work on innovative GIS and data initiatives that improve City operations and enhance services for Oakland residents.

A few challenges you might face in this job:  

• You will be working with complex, large-scale spatial datasets that require a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• You will need to balance multiple projects and deadlines across different departments.
• You will have to translate technical concepts into clear, understandable information for non-technical users.

• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Design Sense: Creating work products that are functional, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
• Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals 
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications

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 may be acceptable.

Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in mathematics, computer science, management information systems, electrical engineering, or a related field.
 
Experience:
Four years experience in the analysis and design of medium-to-large scale data processing systems, including at least two years as a Spatial Data Analyst or Spatial Database Designer. Some experience with a data dictionary/repository is preferred. Two years experience as a Business Analyst is desirable.

Desirable Qualifications:

• GIS Professional (GISP)

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) (weighted 100%), which will be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts.  The structured interview will be conducted as a one-way video interview, where you will record your responses to a set of questions. You will have 7 days from the time you receive the interview link to complete and submit your video responses. The tentative date of the structured interview is the week of April 27, 2026.

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, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
• 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.

*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here:  Working for Oakland | City of Oakland, CA

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:

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 Cynthia Ng, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at cng@oaklandca.gov.