About the City
Marin County’s first incorporated city, San Rafael has a population of approximately 60,000 and lies midway between San Francisco and California’s famous wine country. At 22.51 square miles, San Rafael serves as the county seat and is the county’s premier economic, financial, cultural, and service center. As a regional transportation hub, San Rafael is at the center of highway and transit access to west Marin, Sonoma County, the East Bay, and San Francisco.
The City of San Rafael offers both a small-town atmosphere and a lively urban environment. It is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, surrounded by open space and the bay, making it a vibrant city in an incomparably beautiful natural setting. Famous for its favorable climate, San Rafael provides a central base for taking day trips to scenic locations such as the Napa/Sonoma wine country, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods. San Rafael’s many attractions include its namesake Mission San Rafael Arcangel, the landmark Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center, Victorian architecture, a lively downtown, China Camp State Park, and more.
San Rafael has a varied and rich economy fueled by high tech, biotech, entertainment, financial, service-oriented, and industrial businesses. The city is home to major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, BioMarin, and is home to the County of Marin’s government offices and courts, and offers residents and visitors an array of regional retailers in addition to unique local shops. The community is primed for growth with the adoption of the General Plan 2040 and Downtown Precise Plan and multiple development projects slated throughout the City.
San Rafael is also one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in Marin County. The City’s residential neighborhoods are distinctive, each with its own history, character, and identity. There is a wide diversity of housing ranging from historic to new homes, apartments, multi-family units, and condos. The City has two public school districts with seven elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Dominican University of California, a private liberal arts college, offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs. For more information on this dynamic city, please visit the City of San Rafael’s website at www.cityofsanrafael.org.
About the Organization
San Rafael, the “City with a Mission,” was incorporated in 1874 and became a charter city in 1913. It is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government. San Rafael has an elected Mayor and four district-based elected City Council Members who serve four-year terms. The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment. The mission of the City is to enhance the quality of life and provide for a safe, healthy, prosperous, and livable environment in partnership with the community. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity and desires to sustain the beautiful natural environment through informed and active residents, and to be a responsive, innovative local government.
The City of San Rafael has a staff of more than 400 employees and a total annual budget for fiscal year 2023/2024 of $172 million. The City’s Departments and Divisions include the offices of the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk, Community and Economic Development, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Library & Recreation, Public Works, Human Resources, Finance, Parking Services, Digital Services and Open Government, and Sustainability. In 2022, the City was voted one of the top three “Best Places to Work” in local government by ELGL, a nationally recognized organization.
The City’s internal cultural and organizational environment is collegial, respectful, inclusive, and champions the staff-developed and led initiative "Together San Rafael", which seeks to bring staff and management together, encourage cross-departmental collaboration, empower employees, and celebrate innovation. Together San Rafael is a City-wide effort to improve service delivery through six guiding principles, where diverse, creative, and engaged employees work to best serve the needs of the community.
In addition, for Managers and Directors, the City’s Let’s Lead Together core values highlight the expectations and accountability measurements held by and for City leaders in their work to move the City and organization forward with purpose, heart, and inclusion.
About the Division
San Rafael is committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable city where every resident has the opportunity to thrive. With this in mind, the City is establishing a new Community Services Division of the City Manager’s Office. The Division is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all residents, with a special focus on disadvantaged, historically underserved, and vulnerable populations. This Division is at the forefront of addressing critical social issues, including homelessness response, and other services that uplift community members in need.
The Division’s mission is to develop and implement innovative strategies and programs that provide comprehensive support to those in need, ensuring access to vital resources, fostering community resilience, and promoting overall well-being, with a focus on equity.
As a leader in this dynamic and evolving field, the Community Services Division works collaboratively with local agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders to deliver services that are compassionate, effective, and responsive to the unique needs of our community.
About the Role
The newly created Community Services Division Director position is an exciting and unique opportunity to build a new division of the City of San Rafael.
The Community Services Division Director will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading the City of San Rafael's efforts to address critical social issues, particularly focusing on homelessness at this time. Reporting directly to the Assistant City Manager, the Division Director will oversee and develop the newly created Community Services Division, ensuring the effective development and implementation of programs that improve the quality of life for residents in need.
In this role, the Division Director will manage a broad range of responsibilities, from strategic planning and policy development to budget management and interdepartmental and interagency coordination. They will be a key liaison between the City and our County partners, and various other stakeholders, including public agencies, community organizations, and residents. Their work will involve close collaboration with other City departments, public and private partners, and community groups to advance initiatives that address homelessness and related services.
In their first year, they’ll work to develop the City’s first homelessness strategic plan, setting priorities and policies to guide the City’s work in this space for the next five years.
One of the key, immediate priorities the Division Director will oversee is the implementation of the City’s $6M Encampment Resolution Fund Grant. This includes leading the contractor and staff team operating the City’s planned Sanctioned Camping Program and spearheading the identification of a site for a future interim shelter and/or transitional housing. In addition, they’ll also coordinate the implementation of the City’s Camping on Public Property ordinance.
The Community Services Division Director will directly and indirectly lead a dedicated team, guiding their efforts to deliver high-quality services that meet and respond to the needs of the community. The Division Director will also be responsible for securing and managing funding, developing and maintaining partnerships, and ensuring that the Division's programs are both effective and sustainable. This role requires a dynamic, adaptable, creative leader who is passionate about public service, skilled in strategic planning, and committed to making a positive impact on the community.
