Wellness Program Manager (Open and Promotional)

Job Description:

Wellness Program Manager (Open and Promotional)

Description

Description

The County of San Mateo Human Resources Department is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative professional to serve as its next Wellness Program Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and further develop an already robust Countywide employee wellness program that supports the health, engagement, and overall well-being of the County workforce.



About the Employee Wellness Program

The County of San Mateo's Employee Wellness Program reflects the County's belief that a healthy, productive workforce is essential to delivering high-quality public service. The program is designed to help employees be their healthiest and best selves, at work and in their day-to-day lives outside of work.

Through wellness programming, education, policy development, and organizational initiatives, the Employee Wellness Program supports whole-person well-being with an emphasis on physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness. The program aims to strengthen morale and engagement, build a culture of belonging, and support employees with the tools and resources they need to thrive at work and in life.

Current and emerging program priorities include:

• Creating a culture of health and well-being
• Promoting total-person wellness through inclusive activities and services
• Expanding opportunities related to the Wellness Dividend
• Increasing mental and emotional well-being offerings
• Enhancing technology through the wellness portal

For comprehensive information regarding the Employee Wellness Program please go to:
Employee Wellness Program Overview Ebook.

The Position

The Wellness Program Manager is a specialized management position responsible for recommending, developing, implementing, and evaluating Countywide employee wellness strategies, initiatives, policies, and programs.

This position receives direction from the Deputy Director of Human Resources and works closely with the Employee Benefits Program Manager on initiatives related to preventive care, chronic condition support, and employee assistance resources. The position also collaborates with the Engagement, Equity, and Safety Manager to support initiatives that foster belonging in the workplace.

The Wellness Program Manager supervises a Wellness Coordinator and collaborates with contracted Health Coaches, as well as County departments, employees, labor organizations, committees, health care providers, consultants, and vendors.

The position is based in Redwood City, California, and requires travel throughout San Mateo County to support the program and increase employee engagement.

This highly impactful role is ideal for an innovative leader who combines wellness subject-matter expertise with strong program management, relationship-building, communication, and analytical skills to measure program results.

Examples Of Duties

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

Program Development and Implementation

• Develop, plan, promote, implement, and evaluate Countywide wellness initiatives and programs.
• Coordinate wellness activities such as on-site fitness classes, and health education programs
• Lead wellness fairs, trainings, social events, and recreational events.
• Create engaging program materials and communications.
• Respond to employee questions and concerns related to wellness services and offerings.
• Collaborate with County departments and agencies to advance wellness initiatives.
• Deliver presentations to educate stakeholders and promote program services.
• Serve as liaison to vendors, benefits brokers, wellness committees, executive sponsors, and other stakeholders.
• Interview, select, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff.
• Represent the department in meetings with County leadership, labor organizations, boards, committees, and community partners.

Program Management

• Participate in the development of short- and long-range strategic goals.
• Draft and review policies, procedures, and operational methods related to the wellness program.
• Prepare professional written materials, including policies, procedures, executive summaries, Board memoranda, reports, and statistical analyses.
• Assist in the selection, management, and oversight of vendors, consultants, and service providers, including contract compliance.
• Assist with program budget development and monitoring.

Program Performance

• Gather, analyze, and report data to assess program participation, outcomes, and effectiveness on a quarterly and annual basis.
• Recommend and implement improvements to strengthen program effectiveness and impact.
• Partner with information systems staff to evaluate and improve program data systems and technology tools.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate

The County is seeking a candidate who is:

• A positive, approachable, and politically astute leader.
• Skilled at building trust, credibility, and strong working relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Customer-focused, collaborative, and service-oriented.
• A strategic and innovative thinker with an orientation to producing strong results.
• An effective oral and written communicator.
• Comfortable working with executives, managers, employees, labor partners, vendors, and community stakeholders and cultivates teamwork
• Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• A sound decision-maker with strong judgment, analytical ability, and integrity.
• Knowledgeable in trauma-informed practices and organizational development.
• Passionate about holistic well-being and creating healthy workplace cultures.

Ideal Education and Certifications

Education:

• A bachelor's or higher degree in Psychology, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, or another closely related health-focused field

Certifications such as:

• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
• Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)
• Wellness Practitioner Certification through the National Wellness Institute

A Health Coach certification is highly desirable. Candidates who do not already possess this certification may be expected to obtain it within 12 months of employment.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify could include:

• A bachelor's Psychology, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, or another closely related health-focused field;
• Three years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in Human Resources within a public sector environment, including responsibility for the administration and development of wellness initiatives and programs; and
• At least one year of supervisory experience.

About the Human Resources Department

In collaboration with County departments, the Human Resources Department focuses on people in our approach to hiring, developing, and retaining the County's workforce by delivering equitable and innovative services that promote positive employee experiences and an organizational culture where staff can grow and succeed while providing exception services to the community.

The Department is committed to innovation and customer service. Key priorities include attracting candidates and building talent pipelines, promoting continuous learning and development, strengthening succession planning, increasing employee engagement, and fostering an inclusive organizational culture focused on whole-person well-being through employee-centered support strategies.

Application/Examination

This is an Open and Promotional recruitment. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, extra-help, or limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will include the following steps:

• Initial Review of Application Materials - Applications will be reviewed for completeness, relevant qualifications, and adherence to application instructions. Supplemental responses may also be evaluated for clarity, grammar, spelling, and relevance.
• Application Screening - A panel of subject matter experts will evaluate application materials and supplemental responses to determine which applicants will advance.
• Panel Interview - Selected candidates will participate in a Civil Service panel interview, which may include a written and/or performance exercise administered immediately before the interview.
• Eligible List and Department Interview - Candidates who pass the panel interview will be placed on an eligible list for hiring consideration. Finalists may be invited to a departmental interview.

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examination steps, or additional review of work history may be conducted to further evaluate qualifications.

All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through each stage of the recruitment process. Unless otherwise announced, examinations will be held in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

Important: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please apply at: https://jobs.smcgov.org.

Applicants must submit a completed County of San Mateo Employment Application Form and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, which is part of employment application form. A resume will not be accepted in place of the required application materials.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

Final Filing Date: July 16, 2026, by 11:59 PM

Application Screening: Week of July 20, 2026

Panel Interviews: July 30, 2026, and/or August 3, 2026

About San Mateo County

San Mateo County offers an exceptional quality of life on the San Francisco Peninsula. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley, the County is home to vibrant communities, scenic open space, a diverse population, and a strong regional economy. Residents enjoy a unique blend of urban amenities, coastal beauty, and outdoor recreation.

With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Chet Overstreet (07022026) (Wellness Program Manager - D245)

Salary:

$140,462.40 - $175,510.40 Annually