
Posting number: 001798-26-YPCE
Department: Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment
Division: Fiscal and Management Services
Job classification: Program Manager
Posting type: Open
Categories: Administration, Recreation, Management, Professional, Parks and Recreation, Miscellaneous, Parks, Project Management, Program Management
With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.
The Program Manager (Natural Resources and Open Spaces) provides leadership and coordination for the City's natural resource areas and open spaces managed by YPCE and other City departments. This position serves as the City's subject-matter expert by providing policy guidance, regulatory support, and strategic direction for natural resource management and environmental compliance. The position develops and implements conservation and stewardship initiatives, establishes standards for preservation and habitat management, and coordinates with departments to support consistent management practices and project delivery. It also provides technical expertise and recommendations to support executive leadership and Citywide decision-making.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned natural resource professional with extensive experience leading complex, multi-departmental programs in a municipal or public-sector environment. They will bring deep knowledge of environmental regulations, land conservation, habitat management, and long-term stewardship practices, along with a strong ability to navigate CEQA/NEPA processes and regulatory agency coordination. The ideal candidate will excel at strategic planning, interdepartmental collaboration, and building partnerships that support Citywide sustainability, climate resilience, and open space management goals. They are an effective communicator, a thoughtful problem-solver, and a proactive leader who can guide policy implementation, secure funding, and ensure consistent stewardship of the City’s natural areas and open spaces.
Under limited direction, a Program Manager organizes and manages major programs or projects with a high degree of visibility and substantial citywide impact; supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff; coordinates administrative functions; and develops procedures, programs and methodologies.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This management level classification may be populated with multiple incumbents who exercise a broad range of authority over complex programs critical to a department’s mission. Responsibilities require work beyond typical program or project management work. Incumbents must exercise substantial innovation and leadership in developing and managing programs or projects. The Program Manager is distinguished from the lower classification of Program Specialist in that the Program Manager is responsible for administration and management of major complex programs and projects with high visibility and substantial citywide impact.
This class is distinguished from that of Support Services Manager in that the latter class manages all internal support functions for a department and supports a board or commission.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Limited direction is provided by a department head or division manager. Supervision, on a regular basis, of three or more assigned staff positions is required to hold this classification.
Knowledge of:
Skill in:
Ability to:
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Experience:
Six years of professional level administrative and analytical experience including two years of which must be in the program area.
-AND-
Education:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration or a closely related field.
Note: It is highly desirable the required years of professional-level experience be attained in a governmental jurisdiction.
Substitution:
A post-graduate degree may substitute for one year of the required professional level governmental administrative and analytical experience.
PROOF OF EDUCATION
Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service .Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.
Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.
1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline;
2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) – In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline;
3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.
4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.
5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprintingIf applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.
QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

Founded in 1849, the City of Sacramento is the oldest incorporated city in California. In 1920, Sacramento city voters adopted a City Charter (municipal constitution) and a City Council Manager form of government, which is still being used today.
The City Council consists of a Mayor, elected by all City voters, and eight Council members, elected to represent separate districts in the City. Each Council member is required to live in the district they represent. The Mayor and Council members serve four-year terms. Elections are staggered.
The Council establishes city policies, ordinances and land uses; approves the City’s annual budget, contracts, and agreements; hears appeals of decisions made by city staff or citizen advisory groups, and appoints four Council Officers: a City Manager, City Attorney, City Treasurer, and City Clerk. Council members serve on several working committees, which include Transportation and Community Development, Law and Legislation, and Personnel and Public Employees. The Mayor and Council members receive an annual salary and benefits.
The City Council holds public meetings most Tuesday afternoons and evenings, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively, in the City Council Chamber on the first floor of City Hall, located at 915 I Street. The Council also holds special meetings and committee meetings, which are open to the public. Agendas for City Council and Council Committee meetings are available in the City Clerk’s Office, 1st Floor, in the Historic City Hall building. The Mayor and City Council Offices are located in City Hall on the fifth Floor.