Director of Community Services
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.
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.