Role Overview

The Oakland Chinatown Place Manager is a frontline community ambassador and public-space maintenance professional responsible for supporting the cleanliness, accessibility, safety, and welcoming environment of Oakland Chinatown.

This is an active, outdoor, community-facing position requiring physical stamina, independent judgment, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication.

Place Managers work directly with residents, merchants, visitors, community organizations, and fellow team members to maintain public spaces while representing District Works with professionalism and cultural awareness.

The ideal candidate understands that effective place management involves more than maintaining streets and sidewalks. It requires building trust, respecting neighborhood identity, responding appropriately to community needs, and contributing to a positive experience for everyone.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Public Space Maintenance

• Maintain assigned sidewalks, streetscapes, pedestrian areas, and other designated public spaces.
• Perform litter collection, sweeping, debris removal, and routine environmental cleanup.
• Identify and report graffiti, illegal dumping, damaged infrastructure, and maintenance concerns.
• Follow established cleaning procedures and safety protocols.
• Maintain tools, supplies, uniforms, and company-issued equipment.
• Complete assigned routes and daily operational responsibilities within established timelines

Community Engagement and Radical Hospitality

• Greet and assist residents, merchants, visitors, and community members professionally.
• Provide general neighborhood relationships with local businesses and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity to Oakland Chinatown's diverse communities.
• Communicate with patience and respect across language and cultural differences.
• Support a welcoming environment for older adults, people with disabilities, and other community members.

Safety, Observation, and Reporting

• Observe and promptly report unsafe conditions, hazards, incidents, and unusual activities.
• Use appropriate de-escalation and conflict-avoidance techniques.
• Maintain professional boundaries and avoid unauthorized enforcement or confrontational activities.
• Follow emergency communication and incident-reporting procedures.
• Document daily activities accurately using company-approved technology.
• Protect confidential information and follow company policies.

Teamwork and Accountability

• Report to work on time, prepared, properly uniformed, and ready to complete assigned responsibilities.
• Follow daily assignments, route schedules, supervisor instructions, and operational procedures.
• Communicate promptly with supervisors regarding challenges, delays, or emerging community concerns.
• Accept constructive feedback and demonstrate continuous professional improvement.
• Maintain appropriate professional conduct while representing District Works.

Community Engagement and Radical Hospitality

• Greet and assist residents, merchants, visitors, and community members professionally.
• Provide general neighborhood relationships with local businesses and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity to Oakland Chinatown's diverse communities.
• Communicate with patience and respect across language and cultural differences.
• Support a welcoming environment for older adults, people with disabilities, and other community members. Works in public spaces and supports community members directly
• Pays attention to details and takes pride in making public spaces welcoming, safe, and clean
• Follows rules, safety practices, and grooming/uniform standards without exception
• Stays calm in stressful situations and communicates clearly with teammates and the general public
• Works independently, takes ownership of assigned tasks, and consistently meets daily goals
• Wants to make a visible impact by caring for shared spaces and neighborhoods

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Experience or transferable skills in public-space maintenance, environmental services, hospitality, customer service, community engagement, or related work.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with coworkers and community members.
• Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, and accountability.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an active outdoor environment.
• Comfort using smartphones, tablets, or similar devices for workplace communication and reporting.
• Ability to follow safety procedures, written instructions, and established operational protocols.
• Willingness to work respectfully with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in public-space management, community ambassador programs, hospitality, environmental maintenance, or neighborhood improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with Oakland Chinatown and its cultural and commercial environment.
• Experience supporting merchants, residents, visitors, and diverse community populations.
• Knowledge of Business Improvement Districts, Community Benefit Districts, or similar neighborhood service programs.
• Conversational proficiency in Cantonese and/or Mandarin.
• Additional language proficiency relevant to the communities served.

Cantonese and Mandarin Language Skills

Oakland Chinatown serves a linguistically diverse community. Candidates who can communicate in Cantonese and/or Mandarin are strongly encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $27.00 - $29.00 ($56,160 - $60,320 annually)
• Performance-based bonus eligibility
• Health, dental, and mental wellness benefits for employees and dependents (contingent on eligibility and company policy)
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Paid vacation and sick time

How to Apply

Applications are only accepted online,  through our website: https://districtworks.city/careers

To be considered, you must submit:

• A current, readable professional resume in PDF, DOC, DOCX, or Word format.
• A completed online employment application, including employment history, dates, and contact information for the three most recent employers, where applicable.
• Responses to all required application screening questions.

Please ensure application materials are accurate, complete, and professionally presented.

No walk-ins, phone calls, or unsolicited outreach. All communication will be via email only. Minimum Qualifications