Posting number: 202500910
Department: Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services
Job classification: Program Manager
Posting type: Open
Categories: Community Services
Are you ready to join a team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference?
The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ , PRNS’ latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity and public life.
The Department creates and activates thriving places where people live, work, play, and learn, which include 48 community centers, 10 regional parks, 209 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 290 playgrounds and almost 61 miles of trails, programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.
For more information, please visit activatesj.org
The Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department is currently seeking candidates for one (1) limit-dated Program Manager vacancy in the Community Services Division.
Salary range(s) for this classification is:
This salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.
This is a limit-dated position that is anticipated to be funded through June 30, 2028, subject to further extension as appropriate. However, should this position be discontinued through the budget process, the City may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience.
The City of San José is seeking an innovative, strategic, and passionate leader to help implement one of the City's highest priorities, the Children and Youth Services Master Plan 2.0. This is more than a program management position. It is an opportunity to help build a citywide system that ensures every child, youth, and family has access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.
The Children and Youth Services Master Plan is San José's roadmap for improving outcomes for children, youth, and young adults. The plan aligns City and partner efforts to expand opportunity, address inequities, strengthen coordination across systems, and prioritize historically under-resourced communities. As a living framework, the Master Plan advances collaborative action, transformative systems change, and the development of a seamless "No Wrong Door" system of care.
The selected Program Manager will work directly with executive leadership, City departments, community-based organizations, schools, philanthropic partners, and regional agencies to turn this vision into measurable results.
If you are energized by solving complex problems, building partnerships, using data to improve outcomes, and creating lasting community impact, we encourage you to apply.
The successful candidate is an innovative thinker with deep expertise in child and youth development, education, or family services, capable of translating vision into action. They build trusted relationships across diverse communities and organizations, collaborating effectively with executive leadership, elected officials, and community partners. An exceptional communicator with strong writing skills, they prepare high-quality policy recommendations, City Council memoranda, grant proposals, and executive reports. Furthermore, they excel at managing multiple high-profile initiatives simultaneously, using data to drive decision-making, measure outcomes, and support continuous improvement.
Above all, they are committed to advancing equity, fostering systems change, and creating opportunities for youth and families in historically underserved communities. They demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment, and are comfortable navigating ambiguity while leading collaborative efforts that produce meaningful and lasting community impact.
Reporting to the Deputy Director of the Community Services Division, this position will play a leadership role in advancing implementation of the Children and Youth Services Master Plan by:
Education Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
Experience: Five (5) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.
Certifications:
Form 700: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.
Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
Analytical Thinking: Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
Collaboration: Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.
Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing ;demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
Initiative: Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promote job performance.
Management: Evaluates priorities to ensure the ‘true’ top priorities are handled satisfactory; sets clear goals for the employees and the work unit.
Leadership: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.
Project Management: Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.
Selection Process:
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Taylor Pawlik at Taylor.Pawlik@sanjoseca.gov
From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San José has been a leader driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San José stands as the largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley—the world's leading center of technology innovation. San José is the 10th largest in the U.S., and is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, work, live, play and learn.
San José is located in Santa Clara County at the southern edge of the San Francisco Bay, about 50 miles south of San Francisco, 390 miles north of Los Angeles. The local weather is hard to beat with moderate year-round temperatures. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and an average annual temperature of 70 degrees.
The City of San José operates under the council-manager form of government, a system that combines the policy leadership of elected officials in the form of a city council, with the managerial expertise of an appointed city manager.
