DEFINITION

MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY

RECRUITMENT BROCHURE: Director of Community Services

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

The City of Stockton seeks a visionary and strategic Director of Community Services who understands that quality of life is foundational to public safety, prevention, and community well-being. The ideal candidate brings proven executive leadership experience in parks, recreation, libraries, or community-based systems and demonstrates the ability to unify diverse divisions under one clear, performance-driven vision.

This leader understands the power of community engagement and values partnerships—both internal and external—as essential tools for impact. They should bring the discipline to strengthen organizational systems, modernize structures, and address operational deficiencies while inspiring staff toward excellence and accountability. A successful candidate will champion equity across gender, age, ethnicity, and lived experience, ensuring services are inclusive, accessible, and reflective of Stockton’s diverse community.

This individual must be prepared to hit the ground running—stabilizing operations, clarifying roles and expectations, improving performance systems, and building strong relationships with City leadership, community partners, and frontline staff. Positioning Stockton’s Community Services Department as a premier organization recognized for innovation, collaboration, and measurable community impact.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This single position class has department head level responsibility for overall policy development, program planning, fiscal management, administration and operation of the assigned divisions of Recreation and Library Services. The incumbent is responsible for developing and accomplishing departmental goals and objectives, supervising staff, administering the budget and directing the operations and activities of the Community Services Department. Assignments allow for a high degree of administrative direction in their execution.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES (Illustrative Only)

Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs, through subordinate staff, all activities of the City’s Community Services Department.
Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the Community Services Department; prepares and administers the department’s budget.
Works closely with a Deputy City Manager, other City departments, a variety of public and private organizations, and citizen groups in developing programs and implementing projects to solve problems related to the Community Services Department; serves as a principal liaison for outside agencies; advises the City Manager and City Council on related issues and programs.
Prepares and recommends long-range plans for community services and programs; develops specific proposals for action on current and future City needs; negotiates and administers departmental contracts.
Makes interpretations of City regulations and various ordinances, codes and applicable laws to ensure compliance.
Represents the City and works closely with citizen boards and commissions and public and private officials to provide technical assistance, directly or through subordinate staff.
Coordinates the preparation of a variety of reports or presentations for City management or outside agencies; administers and supervises the department’s management and supervisory staff; directs the supervision and the work evaluation of departmental personnel; monitors and directs employee relations and grievance procedures; provides for staff development and supervisory training programs.
Directs the development of management systems, procedures and standards for program evaluation.
Monitors developments related to delegated service area; evaluates their impact on City operations and implements policy and procedure improvements.
Recommends fee schedules and implements procedures for collection of such fees.
Provides leadership in staff development; sets standards for departmental staff performance; manages staff resources for most efficient and effective results.
Directs staff participation in customer service and quality service.
Seeks areas of commonality between Library and Recreation to develop new programs and services that respond to community needs.

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

Possession of a Bachelor degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public administration, recreation administration, library services, or a closely related field and six (6) years of experience providing administrative oversight of a recreation department or library department with responsibilities in directly administering or supervising which has included program planning, development, and administration with at least four (4) years of supervisory responsibility.

Other Requirements

Must possess a valid California driver’s license.

Knowledge Of

Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program and budget development and implementation and employee supervision;
Principles, practices and programs related to municipal recreation, golf programs and library services;
Community organization and methods for assessing and stimulating meaningful public interest and participation;
Applicable city, state and federal law guidelines and standards affecting the administration of various programs and projects;
Principles and practices of budget development and administration;
Funding sources impacting program and service development;
Principles and practices of contract administration and evaluation;
Principles and practices of computer applications;
Principles and practices of performance measurement and data-based decision-making.

Skill In

Providing leadership and creativity in a changing environment;
Planning, organizing, administering and coordinating a variety of large and complex services and programs;
Planning, organizing, assigning, directing and reviewing the work of staff;
Selecting, motivating and evaluating staff and providing for their training and professional development;
Developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and internal controls;
Understanding, interpreting, explaining and applying complex city, state and federal laws regulating programs and projects;
Representing the City effectively in meetings with individual citizens, citizen groups, and boards and commissions;
Overseeing management and maintenance of the City’s programs;
Analyzing complex technical and administrative problems, evaluating alternative solutions and adopting effective courses of action;
Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials;
Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with a variety of citizens, public and private organizations, boards and commissions, and City staff;
Exercising sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines;
Establishing common policies and processes across a multi-disciplinary Department.

Physical/Mental Abilities:

Mobility - Constant sitting and standing for long periods of time while operating a keyboard; occasional walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling;
Lifting - Occasional lifting of 25 pounds or less;
Vision - Constant use of overall visual capabilities; ability to read and produce printed material and information displayed on a visual display terminal; hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work;
Dexterity - Frequent holding, grasping, typing, repetitive motion, and writing;
Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing and talking of normal speech in person and on the telephone;
Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration, decision making and public contact; ability to exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful situations; working alone and in a team;
Working Conditions - Primarily performed in an office environment, which is typically moderately quiet, but may be loud at times and at some locations; and
Special Requirement – Ability to work hours outside of normal work schedule.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirement of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

The Process

Only those applicants who best fit the needs of the City will be considered for this career opportunity. Applications, resumes, cover letters, and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and only the most qualified applicants will be referred to the City Manager's Office.

A resume, cover letter, and evidence of Bachelor's Degree (unofficial transcripts/grade report/copy of diploma) are required as part of the application process and must be submitted by the final filing date.

ALL APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS MUST BE COMPLETED FULLY AND SUBMITTED ON AN OFFICIAL ONLINE CITY OF STOCKTON APPLICATION. (DO NOT STATE "REFER TO RESUME" ON YOUR APPLICATION OR SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE.) INCOMPLETE AND/OR FALSIFIED APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTALS WILL BE REJECTED AND CANNOT BE REVISED AFTER SUBMITTAL ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE. POSTMARKS, FACSIMILES, AND PHOTOCOPIES OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. RESUMES ARE WELCOMED BUT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ONLY.

The information in this announcement concerning the terms and conditions of employment does not constitute either an express or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.

Note

After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. Please print this notice as proof of filing.
Notification and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is being received.
NeoGov.com: You will receive correspondence via the e-mail address you placed on your application. Some e-mail accounts have been known to place these e-mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e-mail folders or accept e-mails ending with neogov.com.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.

This position is Exempt from Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA), does not qualify for overtime compensation, and is subject to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) annual filing requirements. For more information, visit www.fppc.ca.gov.

The City requires employees in this position to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times. The Director of Community Services will be required to maintain a primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall for a timely response to emergencies and to meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City. New employees have up to three months from date of hire to comply with the requirement. Interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment.

UNREPRESENTED - DEPARTMENT HEADS

NOTE: Employee Benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation benefits currently in effect, click here to view more information about the unrepresented employees' Compensation Plan.

01

The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the application process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your official employment application. Do not indicate "see resume" as an answer to any of these questions.

I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

02

Do you possess, or are you able to obtain prior to appointment, a valid California C driver's license?

03

Prior to appointment, this position requires all eligible candidates to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include a California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.

If selected, I agree to submit to a background check, including fingerprinting, as stated above.

04

This position is Exempt from FLSA (Fair Labor and Standards Act) and does not qualify for overtime compensation and is subject to Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) annual filing requirements.

I have read and understand this statement.

05

EDUCATION Do you possess a minimum of a Bachelor degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public administration, recreation administration, library services, or a closely related field? (A Bachelor's degree is required; therefore, a "No" response will disqualify candidates.)

06

Please indicate the following: college or university attended, location, degree earned, and dates attended.

07

ACCREDITATION: Accredited colleges or universities are those that have been examined by a third-party accrediting agency to ensure acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation ensures that a degree obtained outside of the United States is equivalent to a degree obtained within the United States.

The City of Stockton requires degrees from educational institutions that have been accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency in the United States that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or U.S. Department of Education as a "reliable authority as to the quality of postsecondary education."

If you have received your postsecondary education from an institution that may not be accredited in the United States, it is your responsibility to provide proof of U.S. accreditation by the closing date and time of this recruitment.

You may contact the City of Stockton Human Resources office for an illustrative list of organizations that evaluate foreign colleges.

I understand this requirement and will provide the necessary documentation if applicable.

08

Verification of Education: If offered this position, you will be required to submit an "official transcript" validating your level of college education.

I understand the above and will submit an "official transcript" upon request.

09

EXPERIENCE: The position requires six (6) years of experience providing administrative oversight of a recreation department or library department with responsibilities in directly administering or supervising which has included program planning, development, and administration with at least four (4) years of supervisory responsibility. Please include the name of your employer, dates of employment, job title, and duties performed where you acquired this experience. If none, please enter "N/A". (This experience is required; therefore, a "N/A" response will disqualify candidates.)

10

Experience in a public agency is desirable. Please indicate professional-level public sector experience which you possess: (Check all that apply)

City
County
State
Federal
School District
Other
None of the above

11

If you indicated "Other" in the question above, please describe below:

12

The next 3 questions are specific to your Community Services experience. Answers should be complete, specific and precise. Indicate N/A if you do not have this experience. Stockton values its rich history as a very diverse community. Please describe your experience in working in diverse communities and how it would relate to this position with the City of Stockton. Describe the organization, its size, and your role and responsibilities.

13

As this position is the Director of Community Services, what specific experience do you have to demonstrate how you have been involved with community programs and organizations? Describe the organization, its size, and your role and responsibilities.

14

What actions would you take to promote the importance of community services in Stockton? Please describe how you might create and utilize partnerships, and what specific partnerships would be important.

Required Question

City of Stockton, CA

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DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES