Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager

City-of-Santa-Clara-2; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Clara is seeking a Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance and repair activities across city parks, ensuring safe, clean, and well‑maintained facilities. This frontline management role supervises field staff and coordinates across multiple park sections, including landscaping, aquatic facilities, sports areas, and playgrounds.

As an at-will, unclassified position, you’ll plan, organize, and direct operations, and work closely with the Division Manager to

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Design or Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public/Business Admin, or related field.
• Four years of experience in construction, repair, and maintenance of landscaping and park facilities, two in a supervisory role.
• Substitution: high school diploma plus related experience may substitute education.
• Valid California Class C driver license required at hire and throughout employment.
• Optional: ISA Arborist or DPR Qualified Applicator within one year of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and supervise activities of park maintenance staff and divisions.
• Administer and supervise construction, maintenance, and repair of landscaping, pools, fields, courts, and playgrounds.
• Coordinate schedules, safety, and compliance with city policies; be on-call as needed.

Skills

Supervision

Staff management

Facilities maintenance

Planning

Education

Associate's degree or higher in related field

Supervisor experience in parks/maintenance

Tools

AutoCAD

Computer software maintenance

Job description

The City of Santa Clara’s Parks & Recreation Department is hiring a Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager. This is a front‑line management position responsible for maintenance and repair activities in city parks. Incumbents are responsible for planning, directing, and supervising field staff.

The Department:

The Parks & Recreation Department is dedicated to enriching the lives of Santa Clara residents through our parks, facilities, events, and programs. The Parks Division oversees the operations and maintenance of over 300 acres of parks and facilities including the Community Recreation Center, Reed & Grant, Youth Soccer Complex, and the City’s crown jewel – Central Park. The Division also supports City-wide events through the year including 4th of July, Arts & Wine Festival, and Tree‑Lighting Ceremony.

The Position:

This is a management position in the City’s Unclassified Service responsible for managing activities within the Parks Division of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. The Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager assists the Division Manager in planning, organizing, and supervising activities of one or more Park Maintenance sections of the Parks Division, and performs related duties as assigned. Incumbents are responsible for the administration and supervision of construction, maintenance and repair activities of one or more of the following sections, including but not limited to: Park Landscaping and Buildings, Athletic Fields, Sports Courts, Aquatic Facilities, Dog Parks, and Playgrounds.

As a member of the City’s Unclassified Service, this is an “at‑will” position and the incumbent serves at the discretion of the City Manager.

Additional Information:

Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). Years of experience are considered on the basis of full-time-equivalent experience (2080 hours per year). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and, 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of Tuesday September 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED ABOVE. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR POSITIONS ADHERING TO ALL APPLICABLE CITY POLICIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CMD 033-EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.

The annual salary range for this position is $142,750.80 - $184,752.36. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Design or Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public or Business Administration, or a related field; and
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in construction, repair, and maintenance of landscaping, swimming pools, athletic and park facilities, two (2) years of which in a supervisory capacity.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTION

• Graduation from high school or equivalent AND additional years of increasingly responsible experience in construction, repair, and maintenance of landscaping, swimming pools, athletic parks and facilities in a supervisory capacity may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s license is required at the time of hire and for the duration of hire.
• Certified Arborist Certification issued by the International Society of Arboriculture or Qualified Applicator Certificate in categories B (Landscape Maintenance), C (Right of Way) and F (Aquatic) issued by the Department of Pesticide Regulation is required within one year of appointment.
• Additional license(s) and/or certification(s) that may be required by future regulation during the duration of employment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Park Management, Business or Public Administration, Forestry, Horticulture, Civil Engineering, Landscape Design or Architecture, or a related field is desirable;
• Certificate of completion of the Certified Playground Safety Inspector course administered by either the National Recreation and Park Association or California Parks and Recreation Society is desirable;
• Possession of an Agricultural Pest Control Adviser License is desirable;
• Certificate of Completion from the National Recreation & Parks Association, Park & Recreation Maintenance Management School, or California Parks & Recreation Pacific Southwest Maintenance Management School is desirable;
• AutoCAD, computer software maintenance and troubleshooting is desirable;
• Public Sector Experience is desirable.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

May be required to work unusual hours in shift assignments, in emergency situations, and to be on an “on-call” basis as assigned.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.

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 City Manager’s Directive 100.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

The City of Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 [phone] or [e-mail].