Parks Manager - Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services

About the role

The City of San José is seeking two Parks Managers for its Parks Maintenance and Infrastructure (PMI) Team. These senior-level managers play a key leadership role in the operation, maintenance, and improvement of City parks, facilities, trails, open space, landscaped areas, and related recreational amenities.

Position Duties

• Overseeing daily park maintenance operations and ensuring parks, facilities, trails, landscapes, sports fields, playgrounds, restrooms, and related amenities are maintained in a safe, clean, functional, and welcoming condition.
• Supervising, mentoring, and developing staff while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Managing assigned budgets, contracts, purchasing, staffing plans, work plans, performance measures, and operational priorities.
• Implementing park maintenance standards using data, work order systems, inspections, condition assessments, and performance metrics to guide decision-making and improve service delivery.
• Collaborating with internal and external partners to address community concerns, improve park conditions, support special projects, and advance department and Citywide priorities.
• Developing operational procedures, improving service delivery systems, and supporting division-wide initiatives related to asset management, business intelligence, equity, sustainability, safety, and customer service.
• Representing the Parks Division in meetings with City leadership, elected officials, community groups, partner agencies, contractors, and members of the public.
• Supporting long-term planning efforts that align with ActivateSJ equity goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of 60 semester units/90 quarter units from an accredited college or university in parks and/or recreation management or a related field AND six (6) years of experience in park management or professional public administration in planning and organizing community cultural or recreational facilities and programs, including three (3) years of supervisory or lead experience over an assigned maintenance or service district, facility or citywide or regional-serving program with multiple service delivery locations.
• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in parks and/or recreation management or a related field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience.
• Additional related experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Required Licensing

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Other Qualifications

• Basic Competencies: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Safety practices and procedures related to maintenance operations. Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts. Collaboration: Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities. Fiscal Management: Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements. 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 promotes job performance. 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. Management: Evaluates priorities to ensure the 'true' top priorities are handled satisfactorily; sets clear goals for the employees and the work unit. Political Skill: In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.