Program Manager (Budget) - Department of Transportation

Salary : $134,490.72 - $174,851.04 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202601609
DEPART: Transportation
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


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 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io, 711 (TTY), or via email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

About the Department


The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. DOT is comprised of more than 550 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in one of the nation's largest cities, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life. For more information about DOT, please visit

Position Duties
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking to fill one (1) Program Manager vacancy to lead the budget/fiscal team responsible for managing the department's $473M combined Capital and Operating budgets and providing analytical support to the department's three divisions. Reporting to the Administrative Officer, the Program Manager works closely with their team, managers, and other stakeholders to ensure the department has the resources necessary to effectively deliver a variety of services to the community.

Primary duties include supervising and managing a talented team of 18 positions including four Senior Analysts; coordinating all elements of capital and operating budget development and implementation, expenditure/revenue tracking and projecting, and overseeing all fiscal activities including accounts payable/receivable procurement, and contract management.

The ideal candidate is an analytical and organized self-starter who has a strong background in fiscal and budget activities in the public sector. The Program Manager makes staff development a priority and continuously seeks ways to improve services for customers. The successful candidate will also demonstrate strong communication skills and a passion for numbers.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience : Bachelor's degree in a closely related field AND five (5) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Form 700 Requiremen t : 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.
• Communication Skills : Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• Constructive Energies : A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others
• Analytical Thinking : Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
• Customer Service : Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
• Fiscal Management : Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.
• 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.
• 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.
• Supervision : Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

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. 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.

If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver's license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jasmine Medrano at View email address on click.appcast.io.
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 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 for 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 You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.


In additional to the benefits above, there is an to 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.
01


What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• College (1 to 29 semester units/ 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units/ 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units/ 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units/ 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units/ 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• Other
• None of the above

02


How many years of directly related experience do you have?

• Fewer than five (5) years
• Five (5) years or more

03


Out of the experience in the above question, how many years of experience include supervisory experience?

• Fewer than two (2) years
• Two (2) years or more

04


Describe your experience developing and managing operating and/or capital budgets within a municipal or public-sector environment. Include the employer(s) where you gained this experience, your specific role and responsibilities, any budgeting or financial management systems used, the size and scope of the budgets managed, and the duration of your experience.
05


Describe your supervisory experience, including the length of time you have supervised staff, work activities which you supervised, and the number and level of employees under your direct supervision. Please include the number of performance evaluations you completed annually.
06


Describe a complex budgeting or fiscal challenge you encountered and how you addressed it. In your response, please explain how you identified the issue, the steps you took to analyze and resolve it, your specific role in developing and implementing the solution, any tools, systems, or methodologies you utilized, and the outcome of your efforts. Include any additional information that would help us evaluate your skills and experience.
Required Question