Place Manager at Oakland Venue Management, Inc.

A Place Manager for District Works provides supervision of business improvement districts, community benefit districts, local agencies, and municipality cleaning and safety programs. Our services include cleaning detail while offering exceptional customer service and hospitality. Place Manager’s report directly to the Program Coordinator, but may take direction from the executive management team including the Program Director, General Manager, and Chief Executive Officer.

Position Summary

A District Works Place Manager provides a wide variety of essential services to Community Benefit Districts and public agencies. We support our clients with Urban Place Management services through public realm improvement and hospitality services. As a Place Manager your duties will be varied; however, the ideal candidate will demonstrate interpersonal skills that contribute to delivery of an exceptional customer experience.

Position Description

The primary responsibilities of the Place Manager are as follows: 

1. CARETAKING AND RADICAL HOSPITALITY 

• Provide a clear and visible presence within the boundaries of the districts in order to improve the perception of the districts as safe places;
• Offer assistance and information to businesses and employees within the district (e.g., providing directions, distributing flyers, and answering questions about the district and its activities);
• Work to achieve a measurable decrease in all crimes committed within the boundaries of the district. We will specifically:
•      a). Engage with the residents, visitors, and employees of our downtown. Listening to people is the only way to effect real change. This type of engagement allows us to discover new ideas, invigorate old methods, and reduce behavior that negatively impacts the districts. It takes vision and skill to do and we have both;
•      b). Participate in community meetings with social service providers from the public and private sector, including the City of Oakland and Alameda County. The goal is to promote communication and collaboration on issues of mutual concern for business owners and residents in the districts;
•      c). Practice radical hospitality and use our resources to help everyone in need, especially the unsheltered. Our knowledge of temporary housing, food banks, “call home” programs, and drug rehabilitation services is invaluable in dealing with an on-going social disaster that we know is not going away soon;
•      d). Train and ensure all staff adhere to our clients stated position on homelessness. 

2. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

• TRASH COLLECTION & LITTER ABATEMENT
•      a). Abate all litter and illegal dumping in the public right of way and ensure that all items are sorted and directed to their appropriate waste stream in a timely manner
•      b). Collect, dispose of, and replace trash bags in trash receptacles as needed
•      c). Wipe down, clean, and pressure wash all trash receptacles frequently
•      d). Maintain daily collection/cleaning reports and distribute the reports to the Program Coordinator for program evaluation and data collection
•      e). Pressure wash the bottom of trash receptacles to remove dog urine and liquid spills.
• GRAFFITI REMOVAL 
•      a). Using the most environmentally sensitive practices, District Works will remove graffiti, stickers and signs from buildings, trees, poles, planters, newsracks, utility boxes, or any other surfaces every day.
•      b). All graffiti will be color matched and painted or removed from the ground and wall surfaces as quickly as possible. Our goal is to remove graffiti within 24 hours of each work order.
• BIG BELLY SERVICE
•      a). District Works is the only authorized Big Belly service provider throughout the greater Bay Area and will train all staff. Place Managers will be able to professionally clean, service, and maintain Big Belly units.
• SPECIAL PROJECTS
•      a). Our team specializes in graffiti abatement and strategic touch-up painting of trash receptacles, planters, and light poles. 
•      b). We’re expert at installing benches and trash receptacles in the public right of way. 
•      c). Supports clients in executing numerous projects, including the abatement of hard-to-reach graffiti that requires boom lifts and aerial lift operator certification.
• SPECIAL EVENTS
•      a). Specialized staff for post-event cleaning, onsite event maintenance, and waste sorting and hauling. 
• SIDEWALK PRESSURE WASHING
•      a). We will conduct environmentally sound pressure washing, following all local and state regulations to remove blood, urine, feces, and substances that cause harm in high traffic public right of ways. 

3. GROUNDSKEEPING & MAINTENANCE 

• District Works provide greening and beautification services including street median and ground planter maintenance, debris removal, soil amendment, watering, hanging plant program management, and other ground related groundskeeping and maintenance services. 

4. ZONE MANAGEMENT, DISPATCH & REPORTING

• Receiving and sharing information from the general public and from our staff is critical to the operations of the program. We will utilize 2-way radios, email, other technology, and the current dedicated hotline to respond to requests for service.
• Responsible for supervising district zones in conjunction with, and especially in the absence of the Program Director. 
• Responsible for safely transporting debris and supplies to cleaning sites following the assigned deployment schedule via electric bicycles with tow behind bike trailers. 

Job Requirements 

• Must have the physical capacity to walk or ride a bicycle while towing up to 125 lbs of debris continuously during an eight hour shift, with normal breaks (two fifteen minutes, and one thirty minute meal break).
• Must be able to work outdoors in all conditions with provided inclement weather gear.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or appropriate religious or medical exemption status.
• Must be able to provide proof of valid CA Driver’s license and clean driving record. 
• Must be able to speak, read, and write the English language in order to create basic reports. The ability to speak other languages is a bonus.
• Must maintain a positive, professional environment in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and overall District Works standards of expected professionalism.
• Must be able and willing to correct poor performance or employee misconduct
• Must be dedicated to serving the community.
• Ability to maintain clear boundaries and strict confidentiality with clients.
• Ability to create a compassionate and empowering connection with visitors, residents, and members of the community.
• Ability to remain calm in crisis situations, think well on one’s feet, de-escalate situations, and promote positive communication.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Good listening skills, with a strong ability to be patient and compassionate with community members challenged by mental health issues.
• Core competency to effectively relate with a culturally and racially diverse group of staff, residents, and tenants.

Benefits and Compensation

• Positions are paid hourly, typically based on a 40-hour work week, some part-time positions are available.
  • $23.50 - $29.00 ($48,880 - $60,320 annually, based on a 40-hour work week)
• Successful 90 day performance review increase  
• Successful 1 year performance review increase
• Employees shall be entitled for consideration of annual performance bonus compensation for each calendar year up to 2.5% of base salary in the calendar year. 
• Employees who have worked for the company for three months are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) benefit plan, including employer match of 100% of the first 3% of deferred savings and 50% of contribution between 3% to 5%. 
• Level benefits card offers full time employees food service, mental health, wellness, educational and lifestyle allowances to support our employee’s out of pocket costs at $150/monthly.
• Merits and Awards Program (MAPS) is an incentive bonus program to encourage the highest levels of participation for all District Works employees. Place Managers are eligible for the MAPS award bonus up to $250/monthly based on criteria established by program management including attendance, reporting, and environmental stewardship statistical tracking.
• Full Time employees are eligible to participate in our Health Benefits after a waiting period after the first day of the month following a 30-day waiting period. Employer Contribution:
•      a) Medical: The Company contributes $700 towards the employee's medical benefits premium; the employee is responsible for the remainder of the premium, if any, and will have it deducted on a pre-tax basis. Employee's are responsible for premiums associated with electing benefits for their dependents.
•      b) Dental: The Company will cover 60% of the employee's premium for Dental
•      c) Vision: All premiums for the Vision plan are paid by the employee
• The Company observes 9 paid holidays annually. These holidays are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.
• All Company employees receive paid time off for personal purposes. Accrued based on years of service worked (based on 40 hour work weeks). 
•      a) 0-2 Years of Service: 40 hours accrued/year
•      b) 2-4 Years of Service: 80 hours accrued/year
•      c) 4 Years and beyond: 120 hours accrued/year
•      d) Unused PTO will be carried forward up to an accrual cap; unused PTO will be paid out upon discharge.
• All Company employees receive paid sick leave for personal or family illness. Accrual is based on one hour for every 30 hours worked; capped at 72 hours.