CPRS Job Listing
Director of Community Services
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.
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.