Parks Manager - Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services

Are you ready to join a team that is “Building Community Through Fun” Are you ready to make a difference?

The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and visit. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’ latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving public places, including over 40 community centers, 10 regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and over 65 miles of trail. We also offer diverse programming for all ages and abilities. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit activatesj.org.

The salary range for this classification is $143,860.08 - $175,309.68, paid annually. 

All salary ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. 

PRNS 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. 

Parks Managers are responsible for overseeing assigned park maintenance operations, centralized service areas, programs, staff, budgets, contracts, projects, and service delivery within the Parks Division. Depending on assignment, this may include responsibility for district-based maintenance operations, specialized maintenance teams, infrastructure support, contract oversight, park ranger coordination, volunteer-supported service delivery, fee collection, or other operational functions that support safe, clean, and accessible parks throughout the City.  

This position directly supervises operations and/or program staff, including Parks, Recreation and Facilities Supervisors and other assigned personnel. Parks Managers are responsible for providing leadership, direction, coaching, and accountability to ensure maintenance standards, work plans, customer service expectations, safety practices, and departmental goals are met.   

These senior-level managers help develop and advance plans to operate, maintain, repair, and improve parks and related facilities across assigned areas of responsibility. This work requires coordination with a large and diverse group of stakeholders, including PRNS operations staff, other City departments such as Public Works and the City Manager’s Office, City Council Offices, commissions, community members, contractors, vendors, corporate partners, community-based organizations, and “Friends of” groups.  

The City is seeking a strong, innovative, collaborative, and politically sensitive leader who can manage competing priorities, support staff, solve complex operational challenges, and promote PRNS as a national leader in parks and recreation. Parks Managers are expected to exercise sound judgment, communicate effectively, build strong working relationships, and ensure services are delivered equitably across the City. 

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

• 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.
• Coordinating repairs, renovations, infrastructure improvements, irrigation upgrades, sports field improvements, facility maintenance, and other capital or operational projects.
• Supporting emergency response, large-scale events, encampment-related operations, weather-related response, vandalism recovery, and other urgent operational needs.
• 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.

Education and Experience

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. 

Acceptable Substitution

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. 

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.)

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License. 

(Incumbents may be required to have different combinations of the listed qualifications, or more specific job-related qualifications depending on the position.)

Basic Competencies

(Needed at entry into the job in order to perform the essential duties.)

• 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. 
  • 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. 

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 may consist of one or more interviews. If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Josh Marquez at [email protected].