City of Oakland Civil Service Board Member

Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Boards & Commissions
Job Number: 25-CSB-08
Department: Human Resources Management Department
Opening Date: 08/04/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Determined by Position
Bargaining Unit: UM2


The Position
***Continuous Recruitment***
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately

Applications will be reviewed as vacancies arise
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 City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department is now accepting applications for appointments to the Civil Service Board.
The City of Oakland Civil Service Board plays a vital role in ensuring a fair, transparent, and merit-based employment system for the City's workforce. Guided by local ordinances and the Personnel Manual, the Board is responsible for:

• Ensuring fair hiring practices by applying and upholding the City's Civil Service Rules.
• Reviewing and approving job classifications to ensure roles are accurately described and aligned with City needs.
• Serving as an impartial hearing body for employee appeals related to hiring, discipline, and other personnel matters.

Through these responsibilities, the Civil Service Board helps maintain public trust in Oakland's hiring practices and supports a professional, effective City government.
The City's Civil Service Board is currently seeking applications to fill up to six (6) vacancies on the Board, effective immediately.


The Civil Service Board typically meets on the third Thursday of each month from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Meetings may run longer or shorter depending on agenda length. This is a volunteer position and does not receive any compensation.
Examples of Duties
2.08.030 - Civil Service Board It shall be the function and duty of the Civil Service Board to enforce, through general supervision of the personnel system, the provisions of this chapter and of Article IX of the Charter; to study, investigate and research into such areas and matters as the City Administrator, or the Council through the City Administrator, or the Board of Port Commissioners, may request, or as it may deem advisable; to make reports and recommendations in writing thereon and to formulate policy recommendations or recommended changes to the Personnel Manual for the better realization of the objectives of the personnel system, as set forth in Section 900 of the Charter; to approve the exception of positions under Section 902(f) of the Charter; to perform the appellate duties and functions hereafter described; to review and approve changes to the Personnel Manual, excepting those which are administrative in nature, proposed by the City Administrator, provided that changes in which the Board does not concur may be made with the approval of Council; and to perform such other duties and functions as the City Administrator may for time to time request. The following special provisions shall apply to the Civil Service Board.

Minimum Requirements for Application


This is a volunteer position and does not receive any compensation.

While there is no requirement to reside in the City of Oakland, preference will be given to City of Oakland residents.


Current employees of the City of Oakland are ineligible to serve.


Members must take the Oath of Office and submit Conflict of Interest Filings (Form 700) at the time of assuming office, annually by April 1, and within 30 days of separation from this body.
Only the most qualified applicants will be considered.

Supplemental Information
The Board shall consist of seven members who will be appointed pursuant to Section 601 of the Charter and who shall serve without compensation. Two members shall be appointed for a term of one year, two for two years, and three for four years, said terms to commence upon the date of appointment. Thereafter, each appointment shall be for a term of four years, except that an appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term only.

Section 901 of the Charter of the City of Oakland establishes the Civil Service Board as the body responsible for the enforcement of the City's personnel system as established by Article IX of the Charter, Personnel Administration. Ordinance 8979, Ordinance 11777 C.M.S., Ordinance 13120 C.M.S., and Section 2.02 of the Civil Service Rules describe the functions and duties of the Civil Service Board. The responsibilities of the Civil Service Board include enforcement of the Civil Service Rules; approval of the exemption of positions from the competitive service; approval of classification specifications and performing appellate duties as delineated in Ordinances 8979, 11777, 13120, the Civil Service Rules and the Personnel Rules and Procedures of the Port of Oakland.
In order to be considered as a Civil Service Board member, please submit your resume and a completed application.
Additional provisions can be found in the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules:

• Section 2.03 - Civil Service Board Composition. The Board shall consist of seven (7) members who will be appointed pursuant to section 601 of the Charter, and who shall serve without compensation. Members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years, said terms to commence upon the date of appointment. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term only.
• Section 2.04 - Vacancy and Removal on Civil Service Board. A vacancy on the Board will exist whenever a member dies, resigns, or is removed, or whenever an appointee fails to be confirmed by the Council. A member may be removed pursuant to section 601 of the Charter. Cause for removal shall include: conviction of a felony, misconduct, incompetence, inattention to or inability to perform duties, and unexcused absence from meetings.

For more information about the Civil Service Board, please visit:
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. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
01


Which City of Oakland Council District do you live in? If you are not a resident of Oakland, please select N/A.

• District 1
• District 2
• District 3
• District 4
• District 5
• District 6
• District 7
• Not a City of Oakland resident

02


Please tell us how your qualifications would make you an effective Civil Service Board Member.
03


Why are you personally interested in becoming a Civil Service Board Member?
04


Service on City of Oakland boards, commissions, and committees may require filings of the FPPC's Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700). Upon appointment and determination of filing status.

• I will comply with all filing obligations

Required Question