Program Manager (Natural Resources and Open Spaces)

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.

About the Role

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

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.

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

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.

Responsibilities

• Organizes, coordinates, and manages one or more major programs or projects with high visibility and citywide impact; coordinates administrative functions including budget preparation, financial management, contract administration, and personnel administration for the program.
• Develops procedures and methodologies within compliance requirements; interprets and applies existing policies to actual situations; coordinates development of work plans, selects and supervises staff; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems, assigns work activities, and evaluates work products.
• Serves as principal contact for the program/project; confers with department heads, division chiefs, members of professional staff, and other officials concerning programs, regulations, procedures, policies, etc.; represents the department in a variety of meetings involving program coordination or regulatory requirements; may serve on commissions or non-profit boards as part of program service delivery.
• Develops and maintains informational and statistical reports regarding program performance, goal attainment, and service levels; conducts customer service audits and delivers customer service training.
• Works with vendors and suppliers; writes RFP/RFQs, contracts, and grant applications; negotiates terms, conditions and performance standards.
• Provides exceptional customer service to those contacted in the course of work.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration, including governmental finance, budgeting, personnel administration, procurement methods.
• Methods and practices of modern office management.
• Advanced principles and practices of research, analysis, and technical report writing.
• Functions and missions of publicly appointed Boards or Commissions.
• Principles and practices of supervision.
• Advanced principles and practices of project/program development, management and administration.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.

Skills:

• Collecting and analyzing large volumes of data and reaching a conclusion supported by the research.
• Building a consensus among parties with competing or conflicting interests.
• Supervising and motivating employees and generating department-wide cooperation in support of strategic goals and plans.
• Use of computers, computer applications, and software.

Ability To:

• Prepare technical or analytical reports.
• Interpret and apply regulatory practices, rules, and policies to actual situations.
• Present ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Meet deadlines in a highly political environment.
• Effectively plan, develop, and implement a comprehensive program with a broad scope and high degree of complexity.
• Manage highly complex subject matter.
• Make program or project changes based on analysis of results, new legislation, or departmental changes.
• Exercise administrative supervision and direction over professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Requirements

Experience: Six years of professional level administrative and analytical experience including two years of which must be in the program area.

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.