Project Manager II - Sustainability and Resiliency

Salary : $110,136.00 - $141,972.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 25-066
Department: City Manager
Opening Date: 03/20/2025
Closing Date: 4/10/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
The current vacancy is for Project Manager II in the City Manager's Office, supporting the Sustainability and Resiliency program and projects. This is a full-time limited-term position with a duration of two years with full benefits. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Project Manager II vacancies throughout the City during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Under general direction, the Project Manager II leads, oversees, and performs a wide range of mid-management level project planning, monitoring, and controlling principles and processes to deliver product, service, or program solutions for areas with unique demands that require specialized project management expertise. This position plans, coordinates, administers, and manages project funding/budgeting, scoping, bidding, and the entire lifecycle from conception to completion, ensuring milestone deadlines are met and delivered. Conducts research and analysis and prepares reports; assists in the development and implementation of specialized project procedures or programs. This position also provides complex administrative, professional, and technical assistance to the Department Director, management, staff, and members of the public, including working closely with various City departments and internal and external stakeholders; and performs related duties as assigned.
If you are a professional who is adaptable and thrives in a fast-paced environment working on diverse and impactful projects, this job may be for you! Leverage your expertise in:

• Project management of complex, high profile projects
• Successful grant writing and administration
• Designing and conducting equitable community engagement
• Consultant procurement and contracting
• Research, synthesis and presentation of technical information
• Producing high quality and accessible deliverables
• Collaborating across departments, sectors, academia and nonprofit partners

Ideal Candidate:

• Sustainability and/or Coastal Resiliency Experience
• Project Management Experience
• Relevant Policy and Regulatory Knowledge/Relationships
• Excellent Public Relations Skills
• Strong Interpersonal Skills
• Analytical/Critical Thinker
• Successfully Navigates Shifting Priorities

To learn more about the City's Climate Action Program and explore our projects:
Recruitment 25-066

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 04/10/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.

Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 04/14/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment once all applications have been reviewed.
• Weeks of 04/21 and/or 04/29/25: Interviews will be scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exam.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Provides technical and functional lead direction to assigned staff; may lead work assignments; reviews and controls quality of work; serves as a resource to staff; performs project management duties.
• Trains employees in work principles, practices, methods, policies, procedures, and applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations; may participate in the selection and hiring of staff.
• Plans, organizes, manages, and administers complex and long-range City projects that encompass a wide range of specialized areas; develops, implements, and oversees quality control aspects of each project from conception to completion.
• Oversees diverse project teams composed of City staff, internal and external clients, contractors, consultants, designers, and regulatory agencies from a broad range of disciplines.
• Defines project objectives, deliverables, risk, resources, timelines, scope, and roles of each team and participants.
• Develops and administers project funds and budgets; monitors revenues and expenditures; reviews requisitions and/or invoices for proper project fund balance and expense reports; identifies and recommends resolutions for budgetary problems; makes necessary adjustments.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepare scopes of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with project specifications and service quality.
• Manages contracts, including amendments, time extensions and modifications of contract agreements; monitors process, recommends payments, and ensure contract compliance during the project lifecycle.
• Leads project teams and coordinates with stakeholders from project concept to completion; assists management in developing project objectives and specific project strategies that align with community needs and goals.
• Develops grant proposals, tracks funding and expenditures, and writes associated reports.
• Identifies and schedules project deliverables, milestones, and required tasks, including determining and implementing risk mitigation.
• Acts as liaison with other City departments, public agencies, businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations, and the general public, and serves on commissions and committees as assigned; provides technical and logistical project support; produces related reports and correspondences to achieve project outcomes.
• Coordinates public relations efforts as assigned by preparing press releases, public information material and newsletters; meets with citizens and community groups; responds to correspondence and requests for information; assists the public with questions; receives and responds to complaints relating to assigned areas of responsibility; reviews problems and recommends corrective actions.
• Translates, simplifies, and makes accessible regulatory requirements and strategic planning associated with assigned projects; fosters transparent project communication.
• Provides research, analysis, and monitoring of project issues by gathering information and data; conducts feasibility studies; maintains, compiles, analyzes, and projecting statistical data; coordinates material from various sources; and prepares reports, memos, and other forms of communication; makes recommendations.
• Develops, implements, maintains, and reports out on assigned projects.
• Keeps updated on new trends and innovations in project management and incorporates into projects.
• Ensures and observes compliance with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Performs other related duties that may be expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Primarily working inside, this position requires office work and may require field work depending on the project. Position requires standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting stooping and prolonged sitting in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Field work may occasionally require climbing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.Additionally, the position requires far and near vision when reading and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some driving is required. Additionally, off-site travel, attendance at multi-day off-site training sessions and various meetings. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, finance, economics, political science, or related field; and,
• Three (3) years of responsible experience in project or program coordination and/or management experience, and research and analytic work or policy analysis and program management; or one (1) year experience performing work comparable to a Project Manager I with the City of Santa Cruz.

OR

• High School diploma or tested equivalent; and,
• Six (6) years of responsible experience in project or program coordination and/or management experience, and research and analytic work or policy analysis and program management; or two (2) years of experience performing work comparable to a Project Manager I with the City of Santa Cruz.

Knowledge:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Principles and practices of program or project development, administration, evaluation, and management.
• Principles and practices of strategic planning.
• Principles and practices of contract and grant management and administration.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, report preparation, and presentations.
• Public agency procurement processes.
• Methods and techniques of developing technical and administrative reports, and business correspondence.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, document processing, and filing systems.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Abilities:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership, training, and work direction.
• Plans, manages, coordinates, and administers assigned projects.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Prepare and administer project budgets and funding.
• Prepare plans, specifications, and bid documents.
• Conduct strategic planning for assigned projects.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Research, locate, and compile appropriate data, information, and material; interpret and evaluate statistical data.
• Conduct complex research, analyze, and evaluate projects, programs, policies, and procedures; make and implement recommendations for comprehensive, systemic reforms and improvements; prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the City in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Prepare, maintain, and update accurate detailed records, files, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of City staff and community served.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

SALARY - The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website. Appointment may be made commensurate with experience. See the on the City website for further details on pay rates and practices.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
LEAVE

Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.

Sick - 12 days/year

Holidays - up to 11 days/year
Floating Holidays - 24 hours per year - prorated for part-time
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)

Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays at least 90% of the cost of coverage. Participating members make an additional $35 contribution per pay period towards health care benefits.

Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage. Pro-rated for part-time.

Life - City provides a $25,000 life insurance policy.

Long Term Disability - City provides a long term disability plan.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE/OPTIONAL BENEFIT PLAN

80 hours of additional vacation per year. A $1,300 (less than 10 yrs) or $1,500 (greater than 10 yrs) annual contribution may be used to purchase additional vacation, be place in deferred compensation account or be paid in cash (cashout limited to 20 hours).
RETIREMENT

All regular employees become members of PERS. Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 11.25% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Accident Protection Insurance

Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance

Direct Deposit

Discount Bus Pass Program

Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care

Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years)

In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month

Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
01

Your answers to the supplemental questions will help the screening panel determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and may make you more competitive in this recruitment. They will be utilized to help determine which candidates move forward in the process, so please be thorough with your answers. Any employers described here must be reflected in the work history section of your application. Incomplete answers such as "see resume" may disqualify you from this recruitment. I understand that failure to thoroughly respond to the following questions may result in disqualification or my application may rank lower because of vague answers or minimal effort. Please answer in your own words and refrain from using AI or other methods of computer-generated responses.

• Yes
• No

02

If you possess a Bachelor's degree or higher, please indicate your degree, field of study, and name of the accredited college or university from which you graduated. If you do not possess a Bachelor's degree, you may qualify with additional qualifying work experience. Please write "No Bachelor's."
03

If you possess a Bachelor's degree in one of the areas listed, the experience requirement for this position is three (3) years of responsible experience in project or program coordination and/or management experience. For those qualifying with a HS diploma or tested equivalent and additional experience, the experience requirement is (6) years. Describe in detail how you meet this requirement, including the names of your employers and the projects or programs you worked on or managed, the duration of each experience, and any other details that may make you more competitive in this recruitment.
04

Describe your experience in research and analytic work or policy analysis.
05

Describe your experience in the following areas 1) grant management and administration 2) public agency procurement processes.
06

The current vacancy is for Project Manager II supporting the Sustainability and Resiliency program and projects out of the City Manager's Office. Describe any experience or special interest you have in Sustainability and/or Coastal Resiliency. If you are not interested in this current vacancy and wish to be considered for placement on the eligibility list for future Project Manager II positions that may arise during the lifetime of this list, please write "Not interested in this vacancy."
Required Question