About the Department
THE COMMUNITY
As the Capital of Silicon Valley, San José is a global center for innovation, creativity, and technology. Home to more than one million residents, it is the 12th largest city in the United States and the third largest in California, serving as the cultural and economic heart of the Bay Area’s world-renowned
tech corridor.
San José offers a unique balance of urban vitality and community warmth. With a dynamic economy, a Mediterranean climate, a thriving arts and food scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City provides an exceptional quality of life. Residents enjoy more than 200 parks, over 60 miles of trails,
and proximity to both the Pacific coast and the mountains—making San José an extraordinary place to live, work, and innovate.
Guided by the Envision San José 2040 General Plan, the City is committed to smart growth, environmental stewardship, and equitable development. San José has earned national recognition for its leadership in climate action, digital equity, and data-driven governance, and it continues to push the boundaries of what a modern, connected city can be.
The City of San José government operates under a Council–Manager form of governance, with almost 7,000 employees and a $5.6 billion annual budget supporting a diverse and engaged community. As one of the most forward-thinking municipal organizations in the nation, San José is embracing technology as a cornerstone of service delivery—transforming the way residents move through the City, connect to resources, and experience government.
Within this environment, the Department of Transportation (DOT) plays a central role in advancing the City’s vision of a safe, sustainable, and technology-enabled mobility system. DOT is reimagining urban transportation through smart infrastructure, connected data systems, and real-time analytics that enhance traffic management, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and multimodal access.
For an innovative technology leader, San José represents an unparalleled opportunity to shape the digital backbone of a next-generation transportation network—one that reflects the spirit of Silicon Valley and the City’s deep commitment to public service, inclusivity, and innovation.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of San José is a full-service Charter City and operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of 10 council members elected by district and a mayor elected at large. The City Manager, who reports to the Council, and her executive team provide strategic leadership that supports the policy-making role of the Mayor and the City Council and motivates and challenges the organization to deliver high quality services that meet the community’s needs. The City actively engages with members of the community through Council-appointed boards and commissions.
In addition to providing a full range of municipal services including police and fire, San José operates an airport, municipal water system, a regional wastewater treatment facility, some 200 neighborhood and regional parks, and a library system with 24 branches. The City also oversees convention, cultural, and hospitality facilities that include the San José McEnery Convention Center, Center for the Performing Arts, California Theater, Mexican Heritage Plaza, Dolce Hayes Mansion and Conference Center, and the SAP Center San José – home of the National Hockey League’s San José Sharks.
City operations are supported by 6,999 positions and a total budget of close to $5.6 billion for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. San José is dedicated to maintaining the highest fiscal integrity and earning high credit ratings to ensure the consistent delivery of quality services to the community. Extensive information regarding San Jose´ can be found on the City’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov.
THE DEPARTMENT
With an annual Operating and Capital Budget of $464 million and 541 employees, DOT’s mission is to equitably serve our diverse community and enhance quality of life by planning and operating safe transportation systems, promoting sustainable transportation choices, and maintaining
resilient infrastructure.
In alignment with its mission and ambitious goals in the Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is focused on transforming the City’s transportation system to support a modern and vibrant urban environment through initiatives and projects such as the
following:
San Jose Regional Rail Projects: A transformative $10 billion regional investment in major transit including High Speed Rail, BART, Caltrain electrification, and the expanded Diridon Transportation Center.
Vision Zero San Jose: A cutting-edge traffic safety initiative to eliminate deaths and severe injuries on our roadways through rigorous crash data analytics, detailed street safety audits, engineering solutions, education and enforcement.
Pavement Maintenance and Complete Streets: The inclusion of progressive “Complete Street Standards and Guidelines” in DOT’s $128 million annual pavement maintenance program to create a street system that is safe, connected, and convenient for all types of users, ages and abilities including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists.
Smart City Initiatives: DOT is at the forefront of San Jose’s efforts and projects to enhance service delivery through technology and innovation initiatives such as Smart LED streetlighting, automated vehicle implementation, and advanced traffic signal management.
Position Duties
Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Transportation, the Information Technology (IT) Manager will plan, lead, manage, and execute the technology and innovation efforts of DOT.
This position is open until filled with a first review date scheduled for November 21, 2025.
The DOT Information Technology (IT) Manager will refine and manage the DOT information technology roadmap, which fuses departmental priorities and opportunities with technology and resource needs. The business plan includes coordination with the IT Department to assess centralized capabilities and opportunities for partnership and advancement of key strategies and systems. Some of the top priorities include:
Implementing innovative field technology improvements and integrated data systems – With the transportation and utility infrastructure spread across 178 square miles of the City, most of the Department’s work, particularly maintenance of the infrastructure, occurs in the field. With
the growth of advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) the City has an opportunity to strategically deploy innovations that could save time and resources, as well as improve response times. The IT Manager will work with the IT Department, the City Manager’s Office, and other City Departments to lead the assessment of existing processes and systems to identify, develop, and implement automated workflows to improve efficiency and productivity.
Automating, updating, and supporting multiple IT Systems – DOT has a number of important IT needs and coordination efforts that are identified and prioritized in the DOT IT Business Plan. These projects include the maintenance and development of feature request applications in our Salesforce Work Order platform, updates to the Geographic Information System (GIS), and upgrades of various administrative and engineering databases.
Coordinating Civic Innovation – The DOT IT Manager will also play a lead role in planning and implementing DOT’s Civic Innovation Projects. The transportation industry is dramatically changing around us with the emergence of Automated Vehicles, highly advanced traffic signal management systems, and complex data reporting and analytics capabilities. In alignment with the San Jose’s technology vision and in coordination with the Mayor’s and City Manager’s Office, the DOT IT Manager will build upon current momentum to make San Jose one of the most innovative cities. The IT Manager supervises and/or coordinates staff in the Information Systems Analyst, Senior Geographic Systems Specialist, Systems Applications Programmer, Network Engineer, Innovation Program Manager, and Network Technician classifications.
Key General Responsibilities:
- Develops, coordinates, guides, and maintains IT system strategic and tactical plans in support of the department’s overall direction and within the framework of Citywide IT protocols and standards.
- Plans, implements, and manages the department’s information technology operations ensuring efficient utilization of resources.
- Collaborates and coordinates with IT and other departmental stakeholders to assess centralized capabilities, opportunities for partnership, and advancement of key strategies in a way that maximizes the interoperability of systems between DOT and other departments.
- Utilizes in-depth technical knowledge and business requirements to design and implement technology solutions.
- Analyzes complex business needs and recommends technical solutions.
- Ensures technology projects and systems are adequately resourced with the appropriate levels of technology staff and line staff.
- Serves as a liaison with other departmental divisions and operations to identify and address technology needs.
- Negotiates and administers contracts and agreements with vendors and agencies.
- Supervises staff by hiring, selecting, training, evaluating, and making work assignments. May also coordinate and supervise the work of teams comprised of individuals in a variety of organizations.
- Leads and manages a staff of 12, and assists with budget management, personnel, and training matters.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in computer science, information systems, business administration, or closely related field
Experience
Five (5) years of experience managing, maintaining, and implementing technology programs, computer system infrastructure and design, network operations, security design, application development and configurations, and system/server administration, including three (3) years of supervisory experience over a technical team.
Certifications/Licenses
One or more credentials in Salesforce is desired, preferably certification as a Salesforce Administrator and/or Developer.
Possession of a valid license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California. The selected candidate will be enrolled in the Employer Pull Notice (EPN) program; an authorization for release of driver record information form must be signed as a condition of employment.
Other Qualifications
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a results-driven professional with previous experience as an IS/IT Manager. The successful candidate will be a highly effective communicator who is able to build solid working relationships with management, peers, and staff. Candidates should possess superior long-term planning and project implementation experience and a commitment to high quality, effective customer service. Experience in the rollout and maintenance of major new initiatives is expected, as well as the ability to translate complicated IT issues into understandable terms. The ideal candidate will have an appreciation for the complexities of DOT operations and will strategically assess the competing priorities of the Department’s IT projects, determine what is reasonable to implement, and clearly articulate the merits of keeping abreast of new technology improvements and efficiencies to Department leaders.
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. Demonstrates knowledge and experience in computer operations, networking, telecommunications, information technology management/administration, applications and system development.
Vision/Strategic Thinking – Supports, promotes, and ensures alignment with the organization’s vision and values; understands how an organization must change considering internal and external trends and influences; and builds a shared vision with others and influences others to translate vision to action.
Change Management – Demonstrates support for innovation and for organizational changes needed to improve the organization’s effectiveness; facilitates the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
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.
Project Management – Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.
Analytical Thinking – Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, and sequential approach.
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 – 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.
Constructive Energies - A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The approved salary range for this position goes up to $183,248. Employees in the Department Information Technology (IT) Manager classification will also receive an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay.
The actual salary will depend on the qualifications and experience of the individual selected. The City provides an array of benefits.
Retirement – Competitive retirement system with full reciprocity with CalPERS.
Health Insurance – The City contributes 100% towards the premium for the lowest cost plan. There are several plan options.
Dental Insurance – The City contributes 100% of the premium of the
lowest priced plan for dental coverage.
Personal Time – Vacation is accrued initially at the rate of three weeks per year with amounts increasing up to five weeks after 15 years of service. Executive Leave of 48 hours is granted annually with the ability to earn up to 40 extra hours annually based on performance. Sick Leave is accrued at the rate of 8 hours per month.
Holidays – The City observes 15 paid holidays annually.
Deferred Compensation – The City offers an optional 457 Plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts – The City participates in Dependent Care Assistance and Medical Reimbursement Programs.
Insurance – The City provides a term life policy equal to two times annual salary. Long-term disability and AD&D plans are optional.
Employee Assistance Program – The City provides a comprehensive range of services through the EAP.
For more information on employee benefits, visit the City’s benefits website at https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/ human-resources/benefits
APPLICATION PROCESS
This position is open until filled with a first review date scheduled for November 21, 2025.
Please apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cpshrrs/jobs/5126114/information-technology-manager. Include a resume that reflects the size of staff, budgets, and types of systems you have managed; cover letter with an indication of your preferred salary; and a list of six work related references (who will not be contacted without prior notice).
For further information, please contact:
Kristin Morris
Principal Consultant
CPS HR Consulting
Kmorris@cpshr.us
916-471-3405
