WHARFINGER

WHARFINGER

Salary

$13,577.00 - $16,476.00 Monthly

Location

530 Water Street, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026A-026

Division

Maritime

Department

Maritime Administration

Opening Date

10/23/2026

Closing Date

11/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

• All completed applications for this position must be submitted online no later than 5:00 pm, on the closing date of the recruitment. PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please follow all submission instructions to ensure your application is complete. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of online applications, therefore, it is important for online applications to be completed fully. Late applications will not be accepted beyond the closing time and date for any reason, including any technical issues, such as system, browser, or computer failures, etc. *

Under the general supervision of the Chief Wharfinger, the Wharfinger monitors port and terminal operations activities; enforces tariff requirements and lease terms for use of marine terminal facilities and other port buildings, structures, land and water areas under the administration and control of the Marine Terminals Department, and performs other related duties.

Examples of Duties

Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed. Incumbent may perform other related duties at the equivalent level.

• Inspects marine terminal facilities and other port buildings, structures and areas under lease or tariff assignment; reports needs for maintenance and repairs and coordinates completed actions to include billing instructions as required.
• Ensures compliance, by steamship lines, terminal operators and other port users, with port tariff regulations and applicable tariff assignments and lease agreements.
• Prepares space or other tariff assignments for use of port facilities, land or water areas and equipment and provides billing information to the Tariff Analysis and Special Programs Unit.
• Provides field audit capabilities to assist the Tariff Analysis and Special Programs Unit in determining tenant compliance with demurrage, storage, crane rental, and other tariff assessment procedures.
• Enforces Port of Oakland tariff provisions, applicable City of Oakland Traffic Code (OTC) provisions and other local, state or federal regulations as required and issues citations for OTC violations as appropriate.
• Monitors safety practices to include hazardous cargo and participates in PMA/USCG safety meetings.
• Prepares daily berthing reports; verifies vessel calls, equipment utilization, and vessel description details; provides information to Tariff Analysis and Special Programs Unit to facilitate billing.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This class requires a combination of education and experience reflecting possession of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical combination would include:

Education: Bachelors degree from a accredited college or university in Business Administration, Transportation Management, Traffic Management or a closely related field PLUS

Experience: Three years of recent (within the past five years) experience in work requiring extensive knowledge of marine shipping practices, tariffs, and port terminology.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

To perform the typical tasks and duties of the position successfully, the knowledge, skills and/or abilities listed below are required.

• Knowledge of shipping lines and shipping agency and marine terminal operations, methods, and procedures.
• Knowledge of billing documentation, guard logs, and other terminal records.
• Knowledge of marine terminal agreements and port tariff regulations and application of maintenance, enforcement, or rate assessment terms.
• Knowledge of regulatory, operations, and coordination functions of the USCG, PMA, USDOT, OSHA, and other agencies.
• Knowledge of simple bookkeeping concepts and audit techniques.
• Knowledge of metric conversion factors.
• Ability to prepare written reports and correspondence in dealing with the public, tenants, other port departments, and co-workers.
• Ability to accurately and repeatedly perform advanced data gathering and record-keeping functions.
• Ability to operate standard calculators and personal computers.
• Ability in estimating cargo tonnage, space requirements, and maintenance, repair and construction costs.
• Ability in reading and interpreting regulations and legal contracts.
• Ability to interact effectively with tenants and maintain close working relationships.
• Ability to identify problems and recommend and coordinate solutions as necessary.
• Ability to effectively handle customer complaints and billing and other queries.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Stage I: Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Evaluation (Pass/Fail) - The first stage in the selection process will consist of an application and supplemental questionnaire review (pass/fail). Applications submitted without a completed supplemental questionnaire will be deemed incomplete and not given further consideration. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement to the next stage of the selection process. Only the most suitably qualified candidates will be invited to Stage II.

Stage II: Assessment Examination (Weighted 100%) - The second stage of the selection process may consist of a combination of job-related situational project exercises and an oral panel interview designed to assess technical knowledge and any additional other KSAs. Job-related situational project exercises may consist of written exercises, performance exercises or other situational exercises that would assess the KSAs. The Assessment Examination is designed to test your overall aptitude for the position.

Candidates must achieve a scale score of 70 or more on this examination to be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. The Port of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.

ADVISORIES

Immigration and Reform Control Act: In compliance with the Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, the Port of Oakland will only hire individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States. Social Security card must be presented, and the name on it must match the name on the application.

Americans with Disabilities (ADA):

In compliance with State and Federal Laws, the Port will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The Port is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the selection process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations during the selection process must notify Justin Lagman at JLagman@portoakland.com within seven (7) calendar days of the closing date of the job announcement. The Port requires applicants to provide supporting medical documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation.

The Port of Oakland is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Additional Requirements

This classification requires each incumbent to successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check, which will include a fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) and a Security Threat Assessment (STA), prior to being considered for this position. This status must be maintained for the duration of employment.

The Department of Homeland security requires all employees who must have unescorted access to regulated marine terminal facilities to be in possession of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). This status must be maintained for the duration of employment at the Port in this classification.

Must possess a valid California Class C drivers license at the time of and for the duration of appointment.

Willingness to climb vertical ladders at various heights.

Available for overtime and call back duty responding to evening and weekend emergencies as needed.

Strength to safely lift up to 15 pounds and occasionally over 25 pounds.

The Port of Oaklands benefit program ranks among the best in the region for public jurisdictions and is designed to reward performance and promote a balanced lifestyle, both at the workplace and away from the workplace, for its employees and their families. The Port is committed to the health and well-being of its employees and has been recognized as a FIT-Friendly Employer by the American Heart Association.

• The Port is part of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined pension provided to regular full-time employees that work for the Port. The CalPERS defined pension is based on predetermined formula that factors in an employees earnings history, tenure of service and age. The retirement formula for new hires is 2% at 62 years of age or 2.5% at 55 for with other CalPERS service and/or reciprocity.
• The Port offers retiree medical benefits for employees and dependents after 10 years of CalPERS service (including 5 years at the Port).
• The Port pays 100% of the premium cost for employees and dependent health insurance coverage not to exceed the Kaiser-HMO Family Plan; cash in lieu of medical benefit is also available.
• The Port pays 100% of the premium cost for dental and vision coverage.
• The Port pays 100% of the premium cost for Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage and reimburses employees for the State Disability Insurance.
• The Port pays 100% of the premium cost for life insurance at one-time annual salary with certain limits.
• The Port offers a Deferred Compensation Plan allowing employees to save and invest money for retirement with tax benefits.

Time Away from Work

• From 2 to 5 weeks of vacation depending on years of employment at the Port.
• 10 days of management leave for employees exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• 1 paid Floating Holiday per year.
• 12 days of sick leave per year after three months of employment which includes 4 days of personal leave.
• 13 paid holidays as well as the second half of the shift on December 24 and December 31.

01

The purpose of this Supplemental Questionnaire is to assess your qualifications, training and experience in specific job relevant areas. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine if you move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses (such as N/A or see application), false statements, omissions, or partial information may disqualify you from the selection process. Therefore, please answer all of the questions thoroughly and truthfully. Your answers to these questions, along with you completed application, will be used to select the most qualified candidates to advance in the selection process. Please indicate that you have read and understand the instructions listed above.

• Yes
• No

02

Describe your work experience interacting with transportation providers including, but not limited to, ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, logistics providers, rail operators, etc.

03

Describe a transportation-related issue in your prior professional work experience and detail the steps and process you undertook to reach resolution.

04

3. Describe your experience in drafting, reviewing, and enforcing contracts and lease agreements. Further, please describe your experience with regulatory enforcement.

Required Question

Employer Port of Oakland

Address 530 Water Street

Oakland, California, 94607

Website http://www.portofoakland.com