Recreation Superintendent - Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services

Job Description:

Recreation Superintendent - Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services

Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at [email protected] .

About the Department

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.

To learn more, click here.

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.

Position Duties

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 and neighborhoods.
• 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 and facilities.
• Develop operations and training plans, and guiding performance standards and management practices.
• Planning and coordinating capital improvement projects,
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Other Qualifications

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 [email protected].

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

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.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email [email protected] and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 4/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$143,860.08 - $175,309.68 Annually