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and she was able to connect it to other department's systems to be able to assign the work correctly. John Alita
Worked with IT to implement. Also implemented a tracking system that aligns with the work order
system so that departments doing work in parks can be part of the tracking. Was able to get Monday, March 25, 2019 10:58 AM
computers for the work order system, the next manager worked with her to get the team tablets to
keep progress moving forward.
9. Please describe the roles in which you have had a relationship elected officials, and what your role
was in those examples. Can you provide an example of when you have had to research a regulatory
item and present your findings to the Council, Board, or Mayor?
Works with the elected daily, often must give presentations; gave the budget recommendation presentation in
front of Council last year, was an hour and a half presentation. Must be at every Council meeting. Is often
asked challenging questions, especially around homelessness and how parks can help. At one regional park,
they’ve had a lot of homeless sleeping there and they have had to work through the resultant damage;
researched putting an ordinance in place to protect nature and be able to cite anyone who is sleeping there.
Has had to respond to the media. Mayor and Council have empathy for homelessness, not trying to push
people out, trying to protect sensitive habitats. Branch
Communication, Collaboration, and Personnel Management
10. This position will interact with managers throughout the City as well as partner organizations and
individuals in the community. How do you evaluate whether your department is providing a good
level of customer service? What do you feel are some of the challenges to achieving a high level of
customer service?
Customer service is very important in this profession; civil service. Tracking and evaluating is critical.
Taking a hard look at this right now b/c not everyone wants to get a mailer or an email. Looking at
how to get the surveys completed right on site post program attendance, providing feedback
through text message, for youth looking at the best way to engage their feedback­feed them and
give them the paper eval forms on site. Annual debrief of programs and review the feedback and
how to improve. Updating the master plan currently; assessing what the community needs and
wants for parks; looking at the options and methodologies for how best to achieve that.
Closing
11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is her life not just a career. This is what she does and is very excited to have this opportunity;
it's like a dream.
12. If out of the area – Are you willing to relocate?
Overall Comments:
City of Sacramento
Director of Youth, Parks, and Community Engagement
Phone Screen Questions
General Questions
1. Why are you interested in the YPCE Director opportunity with the City of Sacramento? Why are you
actively or passively looking for a new position?
Richard reached out to John and he became interested; he is close by in Stockton and he was very
intrigued by the addition of the word Youth to the title. Has roots in Sac and just moved back there; is
aware of how the City is transforming and it is an exciting time to work there. Has been very happy
where he is at, but the position is very exciting. Spoke with a former City executive and she had lots
of positive to share.
2. Please describe your most recent position and day­to­day responsibilities.
4 and ½ years as Director of Community Services, in charge of library and rec services at Stockton; was
in a similar role at San Bruno. 2 Deputies; 16 library branches and 5 community services, 7 pools, 2
golf courses, and several other rec facilities that are contracted out. Came in to Stockton right before
City exited bankruptcy, started off with a decimated department and had to make due, had to deliver
services with limited resources, focused on core services, wasn't providing as extensive rec
programming for youth and had to pull back b/c wasn't doing as well as other services available;
implemented new technology to create a self­service environment; ballot measure for libraries went
through 2 years ago and has been in growth mode since then, hired 26 new staff and expanded hours,
created a new capital plan, continuing to be mindful...working on a combined library and rec, micro
libraries in community centers; been focusing on innovation.
3. How many employees do you supervise? Who do you report to?
4 Direct reports, 2 deputies, a program manager, and exec assist; total of 108 FTEs in the department
plus seasonal which grows in the summer
Position Specific Questions
4. Describe your experience with each of the three areas of the department: Youth, Parks, and
Community Engagement
Youth: Stockton follows the promise zone strategies, youth and youth success; very tuned in to the
rd
continuum of youth development, literacy and language acquisition for early childhood, 3 grade
reading level achievement—focus on components in library and rec to achieve the benchmarks like
th
reading achievement and 5 grade obesity rates, physical literacy markers; gaining knowledge of
youth development that can be measured and then creating programming around those; high school
look at A­G requirements and has supplemental programming; has staff from YMCA and other youth
based orgs that help direct the programming towards what young people are interested in; looking