Assistant Director of Recreation & Community Services

Come join an incredible team-orientated department that positively impacts the lives of the City of Milpitas's diverse community! The City of Milpitas seeks an enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented professional to join a dynamic and high-functioning Recreation & Community Services Department as the Assistant Director. This position supports the strategic leadership, administration, and day‑to‑day operations of the Recreation and Community Services Department, ensuring programs, services, and facilities align with community needs and City priorities. The role oversees departmental business operations, including budgeting, contracts, personnel management, performance measurement, process improvement, and regulatory compliance while fostering a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence. The Assistant Director serves as a key liaison to community stakeholders, partners, and organizations, leading engagement, inclusion, marketing, and assessment efforts to enhance service delivery, expand community impact, and support the Department's mission. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic leader who combines strong business acumen with a passion for public service and community engagement. They possess demonstrated experience in organizational leadership, budget and contract management, staff development, and operational improvement, with the ability to translate data and community feedback into effective programs, services, and policies. The successful candidate is an innovative problem‑solver, skilled relationship builder, and effective communicator who values inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement while fostering a positive, high‑performing team culture. The position reports to the Director of Recreation and Community Services and oversees a team of one Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, one Arts and Culture Recreation Assistant II, and one Special Project Associate.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Director of Recreation and Community Services. May exercise supervision over management/supervisory, professional, office administrative, technical and part‑time staff. For the complete Job Description, Class Specifications | Assistant Director of Recreation & Community Services Works collaboratively with the Director to establish goals and policies consistent with the Department's mission and service levels. Assists in the strategic planning, coordination, and implementation of departmental policy and administration. Oversees the department’s financial and administrative operations, including budgeting, revenue management, purchasing, and compliance with applicable policies and regulations. Provides strategic and operational support to programs and services by analyzing data, improving business processes, and coordinating resources to ensure efficient and effective service delivery, and enhancing revenue generation. Assists in evaluating department staffing levels, performance standards, and training and development of Department personnel. Manages, trains and evaluates staff and develops processes designed to support a continuous learning environment. May oversee departmental timekeeping, payroll processing, and approvals for new hires, rehires, and candidate interviews. Reviews and approves time off requests. Conducts timely employee performance evaluations. Conducts community needs assessments in collaboration with stakeholders, including residents, community groups, and school officials, to ensure programs and facilities meet evolving recreational and cultural demands. Works collaboratively with the Director and management personnel in preparing and maintaining the Department budget. Consistently attends City-sponsored special events to further brand the City’s commitment to wide-ranging inclusionary programs and services to the community. Creates and nurtures City connection to community stakeholders through regular interaction, relationship‑building, and follow‑through. Manages the department’s permitting processes for public venues, events, and rentals assisting with fee collection in compliance with City regulations. Encourages dialogue and feedback from Milpitas community members regarding the types of programs and services currently offered, as well as ideas for future potential offerings. Conducts outreach meetings and focus groups in the community to assess comprehensive and inclusive needs. Negotiates and manages contracts and agreements; coordinates with other City department staff to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services. Oversees, with the Recreation and Community Services Program Coordinators, the cultural accessibility of department publications, resource material and social media marketing content. Oversees the creation and delivery of press releases and other marketing material related to community engagement and inclusionary efforts. Serves as Department liaison to local non‑profit organizations, faith‑based organizations, community groups and colleges/universities. Researches and analyzes relevant literature and other benchmark information in order to develop grant proposals, new program ideas and propose program enhancements. Develops program objectives and monitors quantitative and qualitative data on progress toward objectives. Collects data, conducts analysis, and provides reports through surveys and focus groups on accessibility, equity, inclusion, and diversity in recreation‑related programming. Develops, administers and analyzes assessment/evaluation questionnaires, compiles statistics and prepares reports. May act as the Director of Recreation and Community Services in their absence and may represent the Department at internal and external meetings. Performs other related duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience managing service‑related programs, ideally in a municipal recreation setting. Two (2) years of management and supervisory experience in Public Administration, Recreation Administration, or a related field. Education Requirement Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Recreation Administration or a related field of study. Desirable A Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Recreation Administration or a related field of study.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License at the time of appointment. Possession or ability to obtain, and maintain CPR & First Aid Certificates within sixty (60) days of appointment. Possession or ability to obtain, and maintain FEMA NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800 Certificates within eleven (11) months of appointment.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To submit a complete application, please attach a professional resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should explain why you are a strong candidate based on both your personal and professional experience. It should also include areas where you have less experience but are eager to grow, and describe your approach to leadership—both formal and informal roles—as well as your approach to team development. Resume Cover Letter

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to sit, stand, walk, reach, kneel, bend, squat and stoop in the performance of daily activities; repetitive hand movements and fine motor coordination are required when using a computer keyboard; near vision is required when writing reports and other documents, and far vision is required when out in the field; ability to attend (evening and weekend day) events and meetings; ability to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Milpitas; occasionally works in outside weather conditions; occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; occasionally lift, carry and push office supplies weighing up to 25 pounds; exposure to the outdoors, noise, fumes, dust, allergens and air contaminants.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict‑of‑Interest Statement upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with Resolution No. 8833. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Milpitas will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Department. The City of Milpitas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Milpitas