Division Manager - Homelessness Response Division

Job Description

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

The City of San José Housing Department is a leader in the production of affordable housing and the implementation of homeless services. Our mission is to strengthen and revitalize the community through housing and neighborhood investments. With an operating budget of approximately $119 million annually and 112 employees, the department administers multiple local, state, and federal funds, including approximately $40 million annually in federal grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive work environment that prioritizes social and racial equity and inclusion.

Position Duties

The Housing Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Division Manager vacancy in the Homelessness Response Division.

The salary range for this classification is: $146,901.30- $232,531.00.

This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

This Division Manager role reports directly to the Deputy Director of the Housing Department and oversees the City’s Homelessness Response Division. The role is responsible for leading a significant portfolio of homeless programs and services, including managing interim housing, safe parking, and outreach. The selected candidate will manage a division of 29 full-time employees and oversee contract management, auditing, and compliance reporting related to city, county, regional, state, and federal funding sources.

The selected candidate will:

• Drive collaborative solutions with external stakeholders, public agencies, and internal city departments
• Develop and implement homeless programs in coordination with City departments, including the City Manager’s Office, Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement, Environmental Services, Parks and Recreation, City of San Jose Police Department, Public Works, and the City Attorney’s Office
• Develop strategic initiatives in leading the City’s efforts to achieve ‘functional zero ’unsheltered homelessness and work to implement strategies that move residents in a positive direction on the housing continuum, helping them achieve positive outcomes towards permanent housing.
• Lead the City’s efforts to achieve the goals in the regional strategic framework, the Community Plan to End Homelessness, and align these efforts with clear, measurable objectives and key results so that homelessness becomes rare, brief, and non-recurring.
• Ensure that all programs advance the City’s equity, inclusion, and belonging priorities while also providing leadership in implementing these values in service delivery
• Manage contracts and performance metrics for nonprofits and service providers, including overseeing audits, data collection, and reporting obligations
• Develop and oversee the division’s budget, aligning financial resources with program outcomes
• Mentor and lead Division staff in providing shelter portfolio and program oversight
• Oversee the development of program evaluations to ensure program effectiveness, continuously identifying opportunities for improvement
• Partner and collaborate within the Department and across the City, contributing to the City Focus Area of Reducing Unsheltered Homelessness.
• Proactively identify and solve potential operational issues, working closely with internal teams and external service providers
• Guide and oversee the drafting of City Council, Committee, and Commission memorandums and presentations
• Deliver and support presentations to the City Council, its committees, and other public forums, as necessary
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external service providers, advocates, and key partners such as the Office of Supportive Housing, the Santa Clara Housing Authority, and non-profit partners.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as urban planning, political science, sociology, public or business administration, or a related field.

• A master’s degree is highly desirable.

Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in implementing and developing homeless programs, including three years of supervisory experience.

• Experience with large, complex government agencies is highly desirable.

Form 700 Requirement: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

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.

Collaboration- Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Initiative- Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promote job performance.

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 support and direction.

Multi-Tasking- Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Political Skill- Intaking action, demonstrates an understanding of and consideration for how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas within the organization.

Problem Solving- Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of the problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome. Aware of trauma informed decision making and programmatic design principles to assist unhoused residents.

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.

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 applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. 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 Ellesia Janto at Ellesia.Janto@sanjoseca.gov. The application deadline is Tuesday August 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

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 City's benefits pagefor 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 siteto 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.

Closing Date/Time: 8/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific