Executive Director - Sheriff's Activities League (Open)

County of San Mateo; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

San Mateo County Sheriff's Activities League (SAL) seeks an Executive Director to oversee youth programs and partnerships with deputies and the community. The role leads program development, budgeting, fundraising, and policy implementation across county-wide initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have significant leadership experience in public administration or non-profit management, strong fundraising capabilities, and the ability to build consensus with diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience in health, social or community services programs.
• Strong fundraising and grant-writing capabilities.
• Experience with budget development and program evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, monitor and evaluate county-wide SAL programs.
• Coordinate with Sheriff’s Office, SAL Board and partners to meet goals.
• Develop and manage program budgets and funding sources.
• Supervise and mentor SAL staff and volunteers.
• Prepare reports, contracts and policy documents.
• Cultivate relationships with public and private organizations.

Skills

Fundraising

Budgeting

Staff leadership

Grant writing

Public administration

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, management or related field

Master's degree in public or business administration, management or related field

Job description

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking an accomplished and highly skilled Executive Director to oversee the Sheriff’s Activities League.

View our brochure for details about this exceptional career opportunity!

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Activities League (SAL) is a non-profit organization that builds positive partnerships between youth, deputies and the communities through safe and affordable, purposeful programs that make a difference. The Sheriff’s Activities League constantly strives to build strong, positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities we serve by providing resources to help youth in our community reach their full potential. Our vision is to build a strong continuous bond between law enforcement and youth to foster a safe and supportive environment for families within San Mateo County. To learn more about the San Mateo County Sheriff's Activities, visit https://www.sheriffsactivitiesleague.com/.

The Sheriff’s Activities League Executive Director plans, coordinates, recommends, develops, implements and evaluates goals, objectives, policies and procedures related to youth programs; provides leadership and coordination to community groups, public and private agencies, advisory boards and volunteers in planning and implementing programs; provides highly complex staff support to senior level management within assigned area of specialization. The Executive Director receives general direction from the assigned senior level manager and will exercise direct and indirect supervision over managerial, professional, technical and clerical staff, including consultants, and contract service providers.

The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics

• Knowledge of youth development framework, Police/Sheriff Activities League concepts and impact, development issues.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively connect with individuals at all levels.
• Extensive experience with fundraising, as well as developing and maintaining funding sources, including grants and donors.
• Proficient in developing and managing budgets for projects and programs. Ability to analyze budgetary data, identify potential cost‑saving measures, and ensure adherence to financial constraints.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles and methodologies involved in designing, implementing, and evaluating various types of programs.
• Strong commitment to personal and professional growth and staff development.
• Excellent time and project management skills.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess any combination of the following education and experience

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, management or a related field; or
• A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, management or a related field;
• Four to six years of progressively responsible administration or management experience in a Police/Sheriff Activities League or similar non-profit organization which includes experience working with a volunteer board.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following

• Plan, direct, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of comprehensive County-wide services and programs, including needs assessment, program design and planning, implementation, evaluation and regulatory enforcement.
• Direct, coordinate, and participate in the development and implementation of program goals, objectives, policies, procedures and priorities that balance both mandated services and community needs.
• Act as liaison between the Sheriff and executive staff, advisory boards and the SAL Board of Directors, and program staff to ensure that all appropriate policies and guidelines are followed, and that programs are funded with adequate resources to maintain mandated and expected levels of service.
• Maintain an effective working relationship with a variety of public and private organizations, including other County departments and agencies.
• Consult with other program managers on relevant program issues; develop alternative strategies for dealing with community needs as it pertains to youth and assist in the implementation of solutions as necessary.
• Conduct or participate in negotiating contracts with outside vendors, consultants or organizations; monitor and evaluate fiscal and legal liability of same.
• Act as advocate and spokesperson in the community in support of SAL and its mission.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor the program budget to ensure the accomplishment of program and service objectives within budget restrictions.
• Acquire, develop, and maintain funding sources, such grants and donors.
• Provide highly complex staff assistance to the Sheriff and executive team, SAL Board of Directors and other stakeholders on program issues.
• Prepare detailed written reports, policies, procedures and contracts.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate civilian SAL managerial, professional, technical, and clerical subordinates.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Three years of experience in a health, social or community services organization, including at least two years of significant responsibility for one or more of the following: program and budget development, funding, utilization, coordination of community resources or program evaluation.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of public administration, and program management, including planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Principles and methods of community and social services including current trends in education, research, training, treatment, intervention, rehabilitation, or related issues.
• Laws, codes and regulations governing social and community service programs, and knowledge of County, state and federal legislative developments applicable to contemporary program or service issues.
• Organizational and fiscal management within a multi‑faceted, community‑based program setting.
• Community resources and public/private services and funding sources.

Skill/Ability to

• Identify and analyze complex socioeconomic issues and problems.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate programs and services on a comprehensive, county-wide level to meet community needs.
• Integrate a variety of activities and services to achieve program goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Apply principles and techniques of community organization.
• Speak effectively to diverse audiences, including client, professional, civic and citizen groups.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with other program managers and staff, other agencies and the community; enlist and mobilize community support for programs.
• Prepare complex and detailed written reports, program policies, procedures and contracts.
• Train staff and coordinate activities of contractors, volunteer groups and staff.

Open. Anyone may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

Final Filling Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, by 11:59 PM PST

Application Screening: Week of November 2, 2026

Panel Interviews: Week of November 16, 2026

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

HR Analyst: Lealoa Numera (10142026) (SAL Executive Director - Program Manager II – D088)