Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Supervisor - Happy Hollow Park & Zoo - PRNS
Salary
$112,563.36 - $137,220.72 Annually
Location
San Jose
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
202601597
DEPART
Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services
Opening Date
06/09/2026
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 here 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 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov.
About the Department
Are you ready to join the team that is "Building Community Through Fun?" Are you ready to make a difference?
The City of San José's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and visit. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS's strategic plan, envisions healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, and identity, and public life.
The Department creates and activates thriving public places, including over 40 community centers, 10 regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park
& Zoo, and over 65 miles of trail. We also offer diverse programming for all ages and abilities. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public's trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.
For more information, please visit sanjoseca.gov/prns.
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (HHPZ) is a 16-acre amusement park and an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo located in San José, California with the mission of connecting people to nature through play. HHPZ is open to the public year-round.
Supported by the Happy Hollow Foundation, HHPZ provides a variety of outdoor play experiences for all ages. In addition to an AZA accredited Zoo, HHPZ also offers a variety of nature play, nature-themed amusement rides, in-house and private events, and a robust animal education and wildlife conservation program.?For more information about Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, please visit our website at: www.hhpz.org.
Position Duties
The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Supervisor vacancy in the Parks Division at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.
The total salary range for the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Supervisor classification is $112,563.36 - $137,220.72 annually.
This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience.
The Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Supervisor at HHPZ plans, directs, coordinates, and supervises park operations (Parking, Admission, Membership, Guest Services, Food & Beverage, Entertainment, Celebrations, Admin services, Rides, Facility Maintenance, Park Maintenance), programs, budgeting, hiring, and contract management.
The Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Supervisor plays a critical role in developing the future strategic plan which includes managing facility improvement projects that support the mission of HHPZ. The Parks Facility Supervisor also supervises, trains, and evaluates park staff, including the Food & Beverage Supervisor and Amusement Park Supervisor and collaborates closely with the Zoo Manager and the Public Information Representative, under the guidance of the HHPZ Parks Manager.
The desired candidate is a proven leader in recreation and amusement park management and will be a key champion for the goals and objective of the park, cultivating and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders, agencies and partner organizations. We are seeking someone with a strong comprehensive safety background, who can create and promote a work environment and culture that reflects Happy Hollow's values and continually reviews and reinforces the mission and vision of Happy Hollow. The ideal candidate will accomplish this by mentoring, managing and providing inspired, forward-thinking leadership to park staff.
The Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Supervisor must have the ability to constantly adjust to changing conditions and deal with a wide variety of customers, agencies, departments, classifications and personalities. This position requires a person who is technically knowledgeable in a variety of subject areas.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Two (2) years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university (equivalent to 60semester units or 90 quarter units), and four (4) years increasingly responsible experience in themaintenance and operations of a park or administering recreation programs, including two (2) years in alead capacity.
Acceptable Substitution
Additional related experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for- yearbasis. A bachelors degree may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience. There is no substitution for the lead experience.
Required Licensing
As a condition of employment in some designated positions, possession of a valid State of California ClassB drivers license with applicable endorsements may be required in the performance of job duties.
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.
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.
Fiscal Management - Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.
Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.
Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
Project Management: Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.
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.
Vision/Strategic Thinking: Supports, promotes, and ensures alignment with the organization's vision and values; understands how an organization must change in light of internal and external trends and influences; builds a shared vision with others and influences others to translate vision to action.
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.
Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
Selection Process:
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicants 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 you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies at jaine.davies@sanjoseca.gov.
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 CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov 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 Citys benefits page 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 website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.
In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks site 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?
02
How many years of increasingly responsible experience do you have in in the maintenance and operations of a park or administering recreation programs? Please Note: One year of Full-Time experience = 2,080 Hours
03
Out of the experience in the above questions, how many years of experience do you have in a lead capacity?
04
An acceptable experience substitution for the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Supervisor position is a bachelor's degree which may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience. If you meet the acceptable substitution for the position, please describe your education. (There is no substitution for the lead experience).
05
This position requires a State of California Drivers License. Please select the applicable option that best describes your drivers license, or your ability to possess a valid drivers license.
06
Describe your experience managing and operating parks, comprehensive recreation programs, or complex, multi-function recreational facilities (e.g., zoo, amusement park, or similar destination). In your response, please include: a) Your role(s), employer(s), and duration of experience b) Types of facilities or programs managed and approximate customer/attendance levels c) Scope of operations (e.g., guest services, admissions, food & beverage, maintenance, programming, rides, playgrounds) Measurable outcomes (e.g., attendance, revenue, efficiency improvements, or service enhancements)
07
Please describe your experience in managing and supervising staff in relation to park and recreation operations and/or facility maintenance. Identify the number of staff supervised at each facility, their classifications, and the length of time supervised. In addition, please describe the various supervising methods you have used while managing staff.
08
Describe your experience with fiscal management, including the size and types of budgets you have overseen (e.g.,?operating, capital, or revenue-generating). Explain your approach to strategic use of funds, cost control, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
Required Question
Employer City of San Jose
Address 200 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, California, 95113
Phone (408) 535-1285
Website https://www.sanjoseca.gov/