Parks & Public Works Superintendent

Recruitment Schedule This recruitment is opened until filled and may close at any time. Application Review: March 3, 2025 Panel Interview: March 17, 2025

Annual Salary $147,382 - $198,966 Plus excellent benefits and 3% salary increases scheduled for July 2025 and July 2026.

The Town of Los Gatos is seeking to fill a Parks and Streets Superintendent vacancy resulting from the retirement of the current Superintendent. This position reports to the Director of Parks and Public Works. The Parks and Streets Superintendent is a critical part of the Parks and Public Works Department Leadership team. The selected candidate will join a high performing and cohesive team and will work closely with the Director, the Town Engineer and their direct reports to deliver top quality services to the Los Gatos community.

The Town is looking for a Superintendent with strong management skills and visionary leadership who is results-oriented and has the ability to prioritize and delegate tasks effectively. They will be able to lead and oversee staff and collaborate to build capacity, implement programs, and drive change. The Superintendent will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating the ability to build consensus and inspire action. The Superintendent is a working manager. This position is not eligible for a remote or hybrid work schedule.

The Career Opportunity

The Superintendent oversees a budget of approximately $5.7 million that includes park maintenance, streets and sidewalk maintenance, environmental programs relating to stormwater and waste hauling, and the street tree program. The position oversees a staff of 14 full-time and seven (7) part-time staff members.

The Town of Los Gatos operates 112 miles of roadways, 17 park and open space areas, and 13 miles of paved and unpaved trails and nine downtown parking lots.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

• Supporting staff in the development and oversight of contracts for various services, including tree pruning, mowing, and maintenance of landscape islands.
• Enforcing safety regulations and rules to ensure the safety and well-being of parks and trails users and neighboring residents;
• Providing routine reporting on work of the team using the Town’s asset management system;
• Preparing reports for and present to Town Council on various topics in their technical areas;
• Working with staff to identify and develop environmental initiatives related to public work operations, in services areas such as stormwater management, waste management and clean energy.
• Responding to resident questions and concerns related to Town owned parks, streets and non-building assets;
• Supervising, training and developing employees to support their career growth and goals;
• Assisting the Director in preparing annual budget for work programs under the Superintendent’s management;
• Supporting the Director to staff the Parks and Sustainability Commission and coordinate parks development issues with the Planning Commission; and
• Developing and managing minor Capital Improvement Projects, such as the resurfacing of tennis and basketball courts in Town parks.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in the maintenance and management of park and/or street systems including best practices for maintenance;
• Experience in stormwater management and municipal stormwater permitting;
• Knowledge of processes and laws pertaining to public works bidding and procurement of services;
• Ability to communicate clearly in written and verbal form;
• Experience in developing and managing staff;
• Membership in the American Public Works Association (APWA) or National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).

See the Parks and Public Works Superintendent job description for more information.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in civil or structural engineering, construction management, public administration or closely related field is desirable. Completion of high school or equivalent GED and college course work in civil or structural engineering, construction management, public administration or a closely related field may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree. Additional years of experience of relative complexity may substitute for college course work.

Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in construction, maintenance, and repair of municipal public works facilities or services, at least two of which must be in a supervisory/managerial position required.

License and Certification: Possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License and a safe driving record necessary to operate assigned vehicle(s). May be required to obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Class A or B California Driver License within twelve (12) months of hire. May be required to obtain endorsements. May be required to participate in the Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol testing program, which includes submission to random drug and alcohol testing.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Applicable State, Federal and local laws, regulations, and policies as they relate to assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of public works operations in areas such as pavement and sidewalk construction and maintenance, parks maintenance, facility maintenance, and fleet maintenance.
• Safety regulations and practices pertaining to work performed.
• Effective supervisory and leadership techniques.
• Project and contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Practices of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations.
• Principles and practices for developing, implementing, delivering, managing, and evaluating projects and programs.
• Principles and practices of budget development, administration, and accountability.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Professional level writing techniques, including proper grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Organize, plan, administer and manage a Town-wide program of parks, streets, facilities, and vehicle maintenance.
• Effectively work with partner departments to deliver internal services.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, technical written material, and Town policies and procedures.
• Effectively represent the department and the Town in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, businesses; professional, educational, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with developers, contractors and the public.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships and networks with those contacted in the course of work.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, legal descriptions, and other written materials.
• Engage constructively with differing or conflicting public opinion.
• Consider broad input and prioritize accordingly.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Manage and advance multiple priorities, including large and complex projects, concurrently, on time, and within budget.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and software programs relevant to the work performed.
• Plan, organize, direct, and review the work of professional, sub-professional, and contract personnel.
• Effectively supervise, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel.
• Direct and conduct work in a safe manner in accordance with established procedure.
• Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Work independently and in a team setting.
• Consistently demonstrate professionalism, ethical integrity, and exceptional customer service.
• Celebrate the achievements and success of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The individual in this classification will generally work 75% indoors and 25% outdoors. While indoors the individual must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment. While outdoors the individual will inspect Town traffic sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs; operating a motor vehicle; visiting various Town and meeting sites; and working alongside field crews. The individual should have visual capability to read printed materials and a computer screen; and have hearing and speech abilities to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Standing for long periods of time and walking between work areas and to conduct inspections is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, operate standard office equipment, and handle and feel objects, tools, or controls. The individual in this classification occasionally bends, stoops, kneels, reaches, pushes, and pulls drawers, open and closed, to retrieve and file information. Must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employee works in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employee also works in the field and will be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, construction equipment, and mechanical and/or electrical hazards.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work schedule may include occasional irregular hours. The work schedule will include the need for irregular after hours work as part of the normal job duties, including 24x7 availability for response to emergencies.

To be considered for this career opportunity, click on the "Apply" button to complete the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes may be attached, but not accepted in place of a complete online application. Only complete applications will be accepted.Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria in this job announcement. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee continuation in the process. Only the most qualified applicants with the most relevant experience and education will be invited to continue in the selection process. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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The Town of Los Gatos is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, medical, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by law. Qualified individuals with a disability will receive reasonable accommodation, as required by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and federal laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, during any phase of the selection process, providing such request is made to Human Resources at least five working days in advance. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation. Under federal law, all employees must provide documents that authorize the right to work in the United States.