Program Manager (Capital Improvement Program) - Environmental Services Department

The City of San José's Environmental Services Department (ESD) is an award-winning department with a mission to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve our health, environment and economy. The Department is a national leader in managing garbage and recycling services; watershed protection and pollution prevention; municipal drinking water and recycled water; sustainability initiatives; and the operation and infrastructure improvements of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José. 

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! 

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X, Facebook and Instagram and San José Environmental Services on LinkedIn. 

About the Division
Join the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility Capital Improvement Program (CIP) division in leading one of the largest public works programs in San José’s history! The CIP’s first phase concluded in 2025, successfully delivering $1.2 billion in vital upgrades that are replacing aging systems with innovative, highly efficient technologies. Now, guided by an updated Plant Master Plan, aimed at safeguarding RWF operations for the next quarter-century, the next phase of rebuilding, estimated at up to $1.6 billion over the next ten years, is underway. While all this planning and construction is on-going, the facility is in continuous operation, serving 1.4 million residents and over 17,000 businesses in eight cities.

Combine your expertise with the on-the-job experience you’ll gain in CIP by working with multi-discipline engineering professionals, program management consultants, and San José Public Works staff. You will enjoy career development, new skills, mentoring, and the benefits of contributing to your community.

Salary range for the Program Manager classification is: 
$134,490.72 - $174,851.04 Annually

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.

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Program Manager position in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) division at the RWF. This is a key leadership position that directly manages up to four employees including a supervising environmental services specialist, an associate engineer, and engineering technicians. This position works closely with executive management staff and manages consultant program controls staff, who support the program management office. 

 Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Establishing and maintaining processes, systems, and tools to enable improved project controls over the life of capital projects 
   
• Implementing and maintaining change management processes 
   
• Managing the preparation and maintenance of the Master Program Schedule 
   
• Managing the review of project Opinions of Probable Construction Costs 
   
• Managing the preparation of CIP status reports, including dashboards and key performance indicators 
   
• Managing CIP document control systems 
   
• Implementing and maintaining value and risk management processes 
   
• Managing the review and updates to the CIP’s Program Execution Plan 

The best candidate will possess excellent public speaking and written communications skills; strong leadership, problem solving and conflict resolution skills; organizational and time management skills; and the ability to work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative team environment.

Education 
Bachelor’s degree in a closely related field.

Experience
Five (5) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

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. 

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, MS SharePoint, and MS Excel. 

Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions. 

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. 

Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

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. 

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. 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 Jennifer Macias at [email protected].