Division Manager - Homelessness Response Division

The Housing Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Division Manager vacancy in the Homelessness Response Division.

The salary range for this classification is: $146,901.30- $232,531.00.

This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

This Division Manager role reports directly to the Deputy Director of the Housing Department and oversees the City’s Homelessness Response Division. The role is responsible for leading a significant portfolio of homeless programs and services, including managing interim housing, safe parking, and outreach. The selected candidate will manage a division of 29 full-time employees and oversee contract management, auditing, and compliance reporting related to city, county, regional, state, and federal funding sources.

The selected candidate will:

• Drive collaborative solutions with external stakeholders, public agencies, and internal city departments
• Develop and implement homeless programs in coordination with City departments, including the City Manager’s Office, Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement, Environmental Services, Parks and Recreation, City of San Jose Police Department, Public Works, and the City Attorney’s Office
• Develop strategic initiatives in leading the City’s efforts to achieve ‘functional zero ’unsheltered homelessness and work to implement strategies that move residents in a positive direction on the housing continuum, helping them achieve positive outcomes towards permanent housing.
• Lead the City’s efforts to achieve the goals in the regional strategic framework, the Community Plan to End Homelessness, and align these efforts with clear, measurable objectives and key results so that homelessness becomes rare, brief, and non-recurring.
• Ensure that all programs advance the City’s equity, inclusion, and belonging priorities while also providing leadership in implementing these values in service delivery
• Manage contracts and performance metrics for nonprofits and service providers, including overseeing audits, data collection, and reporting obligations
• Develop and oversee the division’s budget, aligning financial resources with program outcomes
• Mentor and lead Division staff in providing shelter portfolio and program oversight
• Oversee the development of program evaluations to ensure program effectiveness, continuously identifying opportunities for improvement
• Partner and collaborate within the Department and across the City, contributing to the City Focus Area of Reducing Unsheltered Homelessness.
• Proactively identify and solve potential operational issues, working closely with internal teams and external service providers
• Guide and oversee the drafting of City Council, Committee, and Commission memorandums and presentations
• Deliver and support presentations to the City Council, its committees, and other public forums, as necessary
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external service providers, advocates, and key partners such as the Office of Supportive Housing, the Santa Clara Housing Authority, and non-profit partners.

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as urban planning, political science, sociology, public or business administration, or a related field.

• A master’s degree is highly desirable.

Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in implementing and developing homeless programs, including three years of supervisory experience.

• Experience with large, complex government agencies is highly desirable.

Form 700 Requirement: 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.

Collaboration- Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

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.

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 support and direction.

Multi-Tasking- Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Political Skill– Intaking action, demonstrates an understanding of and consideration for how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas within the organization.

Problem Solving– Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of the problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome. Aware of trauma informed decision making and programmatic design principles to assist unhoused residents.

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; 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. 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 Ellesia Janto at [email protected]. The application deadline is Tuesday August 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM.