A national search is underway to attract a strategic, engaging, and seasoned police executive with advanced leadership skills to serve as the next Police Chief for the City of San José. With nearly one million residents, San José is Northern California’s largest city, the 12th largest city in the nation, and one of the most diverse large cities in the United States. San José’s quality of life is unsurpassed. Surrounded by the Diablo and Santa Cruz mountain ranges and enjoying an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, residents have easy access to the beaches along the California coast, including Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel; Yosemite and Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada; local and Napa Valley wine country; and rich cultural and recreational life of the entire Bay Area region. With a 2023-2024 budget of $530.6 million, SJPD employs 1,173 sworn officers and 577 civilian employees responsible for delivering core police services to the community. Reporting to the City Manager, the ideal Chief is not just a law enforcement executive but a skilled communicator and systems thinker who is genuinely empathetic, engaged, collaborative with, and responsive to the community. Any combination of training and experience equivalent to completing two (2) years of post-graduate course work at an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Police Administration, or closely related field, plus five (5) years as a captain or above is qualifying. Candidates must have a proven track record of working effectively in a culturally and ethnically diverse community. Advanced training such as the FBI National Executive Institute, FBI National Academy, Southern Police Institute, or the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police is desirable, as is advanced training in relationship-based and/or community-based policing. The ability to speak another language prevalent in the San José community, such as Spanish, Vietnamese, or Chinese, is also considered desirable. The annual salary range for this at-will position is $237,300 to $370,903. Placement within the range will be based on qualifications. This position also qualifies for five percent (5%) non-pensionable pay, four percent (4%) non-pensionable retention pay, and 3.75% non-pensionable Crisis Intervention Training pay. The City provides an excellent array of benefits. Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately by emailing a comprehensive resume, compelling cover letter, and list of professional references to apply@publicsectorsearch.com. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Candidates should apply by July 12, 2024. This position will be considered open until a final selection is made.
Public Sector Search & Consulting will conduct preliminary screening interviews as applications are received. Only the most highly qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the selection process in early August 2024. After a selection has been made, an offer will follow, contingent on successfully completing the remainder of the City hiring process. The selected candidate is anticipated to join the City of San José in September 2024, or a mutually agreeable date after City Council confirmation.
Candidates should direct inquiries and questions regarding this position or the recruitment process to:
Mr. Gary Peterson, Chief of Police (ret.) – President/CEO
Public Sector Search & Consulting, Inc.
916.789.9990 (office)
916.622.5323 (mobile)
gary@publicsectorsearch.com
www.publicsectorsearch.com
