Project Manager II - Sustainability and Resiliency

The Position

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

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.