Recreation Superintendent - Parks, Recreation and 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 Jose's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is proud to be “Building Community Through Fun” through innovative, creative, and excellent programs and services. Our mission is to build healthy communities through people, parks, and programs. The Department is a steady force in our community, advancing education, health, and social connections. We meet the diverse needs of our community across the lifespan by connecting people to places and people to people. The principles of equity, access, diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and flexibility guide us.

The Department creates and activates thriving places where people live, work, play, and learn, which include 51 community centers, 209 parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, over 65 miles of trails, programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative.

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SALARY INFORMATION:

The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Recreation Superintendent vacancy in the Recreation Services Division.

The total salary range for this classification is: $143,860.08 - $175,309.68 annually.This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Are you a vibrant team leader? Do you enjoy building effective, relevant programs that serve people in one of the most unique places in California? It is an exciting time for creative, impactful program and partner development as we plan, and implement recreation and neighborhood empowerment opportunities for our residents.

The Recreation Division (RD) is responsible for a wide portfolio of recreation programs and social services for all members of our community. Functions in the Recreation Division include managing safe, welcoming community centers that offer education, leisure, fitness, nutrition, special events, and therapeutic activities and programs for people of all ages, cultures and abilities.

The Recreation Division is seeking an experienced manager to join the management team as Recreation Superintendent. Responsibilities will encompass oversight of various programs and services including Community Center Operations and Citywide responsibilities, such as San José Recreation Preschool, Afterschool and Camp programs.

The Recreation Superintendent, under general direction of a Division Manager, performs leadership, management, and administrative functions to plan, deliver and evaluate recreation and neighborhood-based programs and services through direct service and community partnerships. Recreation Superintendents will have knowledge and understanding of navigating in a performance management environment where data and quality standards drive decision making.

Duties of the position will include, but are not limited to:

• Managing supervisors to meet the diverse needs and interests of San Jose communities andneighborhoods.
• Equity and Access: Ability to adapt a program or service to better meet the needs of a culturally diverse population.
• Ensuring that goals, policies, and priorities of PRNS are incorporated into service models and monitoring and evaluating for continuous improvement in consultation with Management Team.
• Areas of responsibility include personnel actions such as hiring, retention, promotion and discipline, budget development and management.
• Program and partner development and may include management of major city-wide programs such as aquatics, education, aging and older adults, placemaking, and therapeutics.
• Superintendents play a lead role in identification of community needs and development and sustainability of leisure, health and wellness, sports, trend analysis, and revenue development at community centers.
• Communication and facilitation with volunteers, commissions, neighborhood associations, and numerous stakeholders such as Council Offices are critical responsibilities.
• Evaluating recreation needs, making procedural and operational recommendations to the Division Manager.
• Providing management and supervision of recreation and human services programs andfacilities.
• Develop operations and training plans, and guiding performance standards and managementpractices.
• Planning and coordinating capital improvementprojects,
• Implementing new programs and facilities in assigned areas.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Education: A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation and Leisure Services, Social Services, Public Administration or related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in supervision and management of recreation and human service programs including one (1) year administering an assigned district or area or a major, comprehensive, City-wide recreation program.

License:Possession of a valid driver's license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California.

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.
• Problem Solving -Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• 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.
• Fiscal Management -Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.
• Political Skill -In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.
• Decision Making -Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
• 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. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. 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.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions in the online application process:

• Please describe your professional experience managing large-scale recreation or social service operations, specifically involving multiple facilities (e.g., community centers) and diverse program areas (e.g., therapeutic recreation, aging services, or citywide youth programs).
• Describe your experience leading a team of supervisors or mid-level managers. How do you foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement while managing personnel actions.
• Please describe your experience with budget development, fiscal oversight, and resource optimization for a complex recreation or human services organization.
• Describe an experience where you managed a team and/or project with competing interests and priorities from various stakeholders. What was the situation, the outcome, and what obstacles did you have to overcome in leading the work?

You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Please also ensure to attach your resume while submitting your application.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Vaishali Vashistha at vaishali.vashistha@sanjoseca.gov.