Principal Program Manager at City of Berkeley, CA

About the Department

The City of Berkeley seeks candidates for Principal Program Manager! In this role, you will direct and supervise a large-scale, complex program or project with citywide impact. You'll develop and implement goals, procedures, and methodologies; supervise staff; and perform technical tasks related to your assigned program. 

Current Vacancy: Measure FF
Reporting to a Deputy Director of Public Works, this position will be responsible for the development of initiatives and priorities related to Measure FF, a parcel tax providing funding to improve streets, sidewalks, safety, and the environment. Also known as SAFE STREETS, the initiative funds projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle safety while creating green infrastructure. The Principal Program Manager will exercise a broad range of authority over these critical special projects, ensuring that they remain on schedule and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. 

The ideal candidate for the current vacancy is an experienced leader with demonstrated success managing complex transportation or infrastructure programs, coordinating across departments and agencies, and managing multiple consultant teams. They will be able to support data-driven decisions by developing performance dashboards, expenditure tracking, and outcome evaluation frameworks. License or certification in engineering, project management, or planning is desirable. 

See the full job specification here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/berkeley/classspecs/1507430

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other Principal Program Manager positions that become available in the next year. Positions in this classification may focus on areas including but not limited to: affordable housing programs and services, rental housing policy and compliance, police data and crime analysis, or fire safety and emergency services.

Position Duties

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
Equivalent to graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, or a related field and five (5) years in the development and implementation of programs, including two (2) years in a lead capacity. Experience in a public agency setting is desirable. Additional professional-level experience as outlined above may be substituted for the college education on a year-for-year basis.

Other requirements: Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record. Must be able to attend evening and weekend meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

Applications must be received by Monday, November 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST and must include a completed application and responses to all supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application. 

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to [email protected]. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

Other Qualifications

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to: 

• Application review for minimum qualifications
• Review of Supplemental Questions 
• Training, Education and Experience Review

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.  

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to [email protected] at the time of application.