OFFICER OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Salary : $125,939.57 - $174,109.79 Annually
Location : City of Stockton, CA
Job Type: At-Will
Job Number:
Department: City Manager's Office
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/11/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

DEFINITION
The City Manager's Office is seeking to fill one (1) vacancy for the position of Officer of People and Culture.

Under direction of the City Manager, the Officer of People and Culture develops, plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates citywide efforts to embed equity into policies, programs, services, investments, and organizational culture in a complex municipal environment; serves as a key advisor to the City Manager's Office shaping policy, guiding decision-making, and ensuring equity is incorporated into all of the City's operations and service delivery; provides measurable impact translating values into sustained systems change, operational excellence, and improved outcomes for communities; and performs related work as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This single-position, at-will, management class provides strategic leadership for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across all departments. This position is responsible for developing and implementing equity policies, advising executive leadership, and building partnerships with community organizations. The incumbent will guide departments to ensure equitable access to and delivery of the City's programs and services, identifying and addressing systemic inequities, and shape and advance policy solutions that promote better outcomes for all.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES (Illustrative Only)

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develops, implements, and evaluates citywide social equity-focused plans, that strategically identify core priorities for policy and process improvement and program development, with clear, measurable outcomes.
• Serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, and department directors on equity impacts of policies and programs.
• Leads organizational change initiatives that address institutional and structural inequities, including influencing executive leadership, aligning departments, and operationalizing equity across all systems.
• Monitors compliance with applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws and pertinent codes, regulations, and guidelines; analyzes legislation and regulatory developments, assessing impact on City programs and advising leadership on strategic responses and or policy changes.
• Coordinates cross-departmental initiatives, including housing, public safety, transportation, health, workforce development, and environmental justice through an equity lens.
• Conducts equity impact assessments to promote inclusion, prevent disparities, and inform decisions regarding proposed policies, budgets, programs, and legislation.
• Develops performance measures and dashboards to evaluate equity outcomes to identify trends, and drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Builds partnerships with nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, school districts, and community leaders.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of assigned staff.
• Facilitates community engagement and builds trust with historically underserved and marginalized communities, translating community voice into policy and practice.
• Designs and delivers comprehensive equity, inclusion, and anti-bias training modules for leadership and employees.
• Prepares executive-level reports and presentations for the City Council, commissions, and the public.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Theories, principles, and practices of effective management, public administration, and local government operations and techniques, including organizational transformation, budget and policy development, program management, and maintenance of public records;
• Principles, frameworks, and practices of social equity and social justice program planning, implementation, management, and evaluation, including data analysis and performance measurement;
• Theories, principles, and practices of change management, including framework models and methodologies for institutional change;
• The regional and local landscape, including the intersections of race, immigration, disability, gender, and the various social, political, cultural, legal, technological, and environmental issues that affect people from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to social equity, including Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity laws;
• Principles, practices and techniques of effective supervision, training, and employee evaluation; and
• Practices and techniques related to community outreach and engagement; effective interpersonal and communication principles, public speaking and presentation techniques, and conflict resolution methodologies.

Skill in:

• Leading organizational transformation, advising executive management on the development and evaluation of equity-related policies and programs;
• Managing multiple high-profile initiatives, analyzing complex policy issues, and using data to identify disparities and evaluate outcomes;
• Identifying, defining, and navigating complex equity, human rights, and other politically sensitive issues;
• Mobilizing, engaging, and building consensus among internal and external stakeholders to achieve equity goals and understanding the impact of structural racism on policies and programs;
• Building trust with diverse communities, communicating effectively with audiences from diverse backgrounds and facilitating difficult conversations.
• Interpreting and applying comprehensive federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and public policy;
• Representing the City effectively with governmental and regulatory agencies, outside consultants and counsel, businesses, and advocacy groups; and
• Operating and using modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software.

Education:
Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in sociology, human resources, public administration, ethnic studies, organizational development, political science, or a closely related field. A Master's degree in the above areas is desirable.

Experience:
Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience demonstrating proficiency in the development and management of community-based public policy or administration, equity, civil rights, educational, or social justice programs, including three years of management-level experience, preferably within local government.

Physical/Mental Abilities:

• Mobility - Frequent sitting for long periods of time while operating a keyboard; occasional walking, bending, squatting, climbing stairs, climbing ladders, kneeling, and crawling and twisting;
• Lifting - Occasional lifting and/or carrying up to 25 pounds or less;
• Vision - Constant use of overall visual capabilities, reading fine print and PC screens; reading and producing printed material, frequent need for use of color perception;
• Dexterity - Frequent typing, occasional holding, grasping, pushing, pulling, and repetitive motion;
• Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing and talking of normal speech in person and on the telephone; frequently over noise, and ability to detect specific noises and proper equipment operation;
• Special Requirements - Must be willing to attend meetings outside of normal working hours; may require frequent weekend, night, or evening work; may require occasional driving;
• Emotional/Psychological - Continuous concentration, decision making and public contact; frequent ability to exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful situations; and ability to work alone;
• Working Conditions - Primarily performed in an office environment, which is typically quiet; may be also performed outside of City Hall.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.
UNREPRESENTED - CONFIDENTIAL

NOTE: Employee Benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation benefits currently in effect,
01

All applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter as part of the application process.
DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE FINAL FILING DATE.
Failure to submit the required documents may result in the rejection of your application.
You may submit the required documentation in the following ways:
1. Scan and attach to online application (preferred); or
2. Email to recruitment@stocktonca.gov (use "Officer of People and Culture" in the subject line of the email).
Do you understand and agree with this requirement?)

• Scan and attach to online application (preferred);
• Email to recruitment@stocktonca.gov

02

Application Authenticity
The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the application process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your official employment application. Do not indicate "see resume" as an answer to any of these questions.
I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

• Yes
• No

03

Education Requirement:
Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in sociology, human resources, public administration, ethnic studies, organizational development, political science, or a closely related field.
To verify that you meet the educational requirement, you must submit a copy of your degree or unofficial transcript by the final filing date You must submit a copy of your degree or unofficial transcript by one of the following methods:
1) Scan/attach to the online application
2) Email to andrelyn.petate@stocktonca.gov (Include "Officer of People and Culture" in the subject line of your email.)

• I understand that I must provide the City of Stockton a copy of my degree or unofficial transcript which verifies that I meet the education requirement of this position. I further understand that this document(s) must be submitted by the final filing date. Failure to submit the appropriate documentation within the time frame will result in rejection of my application

04

*ACCREDITATION: Accredited colleges or universities are those that have been examined by a third-party accrediting agency to ensure acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation ensures that a degree obtained outside of the United States is equivalent to a degree obtained within the United States.
The City of Stockton requires degrees from educational institutions that have been accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency in the United States that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or U.S. Department of Education as a "reliable authority as to the quality of postsecondary education."
If you have received your postsecondary education from an institution that may not be accredited in the United States, it is your responsibility to provide proof of U.S. accreditation by the closing date and time of this recruitment.
You may contact the City of Stockton Human Resources office for an illustrative list of organizations that evaluate foreign colleges.
I understand this requirement and will provide the necessary documentation if required.

• Yes
• No

05

Experience Requirement: This position requires seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience demonstrating proficiency in the development and management of community-based public policy or administration, equity, civil rights, educational, or social justice programs, including three (3) years of management-level experience, preferably within local government.List the name of your employer, job title, employment dates and a description of duties performed to confirm you meet the requirement above.
Required Question