BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, March 18, 2021) — Fulfilling one of his top 100-day priorities, Mayor Brandon M. Scott is announcing the appointment of longtime public servant and transformational leader Jason Mitchell to lead the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. Mitchell, who currently serves as the Assistant City Administrator for the City of Oakland, will join the Scott administration in May. 

“Identifying committed, transformational leadership for the Department of Public Works has been a top priority since taking office. I am thrilled to welcome Jason Mitchell, a veteran public servant who cares deeply about building local governments that function better for our residents, to the City of Baltimore team,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “From reforming the City’s broken water billing system to moving Baltimore towards zero waste, Jason’s strong leadership will be a crucial part of our administration.”

As Assistant City Administrator, Mitchell manages more than 2,500 City employees. His portfolio includes the Departments of Public Works, Transportation, Planning, Building, Library, Parks and Recreation, Human Services, Workforce Employment Services, and Oakland’s 311. Before joining the City Administrator’s Office, he served as Director of Oakland’s Public Works Department. 

“Mayor Scott and I share a commitment to solving problems and building cleaner, greener, and more equitable neighborhoods,” said Jason Mitchell. “I look forward to serving the City of Baltimore as DPW Director and working to develop solutions for the benefit of every resident in partnership with community.” 

In Oakland, Mitchell assisted with implementing the city’s Zero Waste initiative and ensured approximately 55 percent diversion rates in commercial and multi-family organics in 2020. Under his leadership, Oakland onboarded a new mixed materials processing facility to dramatically expand the City’s diversion capacity. Mitchell also initiated a master plan for sewer and storm infrastructure to better plan for capital needs and ensure stable rates for ratepayers. He has led the City’s Reimaging Permitting Initiative to create a one-stop, multi-departmental permitting center to increase efficiencies, create advanced analytics, and provide improved customer experiences. Mitchell has also led major initiatives hand-in-hand with community members to address blight and illegal dumping.

Mitchell is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), American Public Works Association (APWA), and National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). He earned a doctoral degree in Organization Leadership from the School of Education and a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of San Francisco, and an undergraduate degree with a concentration in Finance from California State University, East Bay.

In his first 100 days, Mayor Scott has outlined key priorities for the next Department of Public Works Director, including fixing the water billing system, implementing the Water Accountability and Equity Act, moving Baltimore towards zero waste, and building cleaner, greener neighborhoods. Hiring a DPW Director was one of the Mayor’s priorities listed in the 100 Day of Action Tracker.