Wellness Program Manager

Role Overview

The County of San Mateo Human Resources Department is looking for a seasoned, strategic, and team-oriented professional to step into the Wellness Program Manager role. This is a meaningful opportunity to guide and expand an established countywide employee wellness program that promotes health, engagement, and overall workforce well-being.

About the Employee Wellness Program

The County’s wellness effort is built on the idea that a healthy workforce is key to delivering strong public service. The program is intended to help employees feel and function at their best, both at work and in everyday life.

Through wellness education, program design, policy support, and organizational initiatives, the program takes a whole-person approach that includes physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. It is designed to improve morale, strengthen engagement, support belonging, and equip employees with practical tools and resources to succeed.

Current program priorities include building a stronger health-oriented culture, expanding inclusive wellness activities and services, increasing access to Wellness Dividend opportunities, strengthening mental and emotional wellness offerings, and improving the wellness portal’s technology.

The Position

This specialized management position is responsible for recommending, designing, rolling out, and assessing countywide employee wellness strategies, programs, policies, and initiatives.

The role reports to the Deputy Director of Human Resources and partners closely with the Employee Benefits Program Manager on preventive care, chronic condition support, and employee assistance resources. It also works with the Engagement, Equity, and Safety Manager on efforts that promote workplace belonging.

The manager will supervise a Wellness Coordinator and coordinate with contracted Health Coaches, 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 encourage participation.

This is a high-impact opportunity for an innovative leader with wellness expertise, strong program management skills, excellent relationship-building ability, strong communication, and the analytical capability to measure outcomes.

Key Duties

• Design, organize, promote, run, and evaluate countywide wellness programs and initiatives.
• Arrange wellness activities such as fitness classes and health education sessions.
• Lead wellness fairs, training sessions, social gatherings, and recreational events.
• Develop engaging communications and program materials.
• Handle employee questions and concerns about wellness offerings and services.
• Work with county departments and agencies to advance wellness priorities.
• Give presentations to inform stakeholders and increase awareness of program services.
• Act as the main point of contact for vendors, benefits brokers, wellness committees, executive sponsors, and other partners.
• Recruit, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff.
• Represent the department in meetings with county leadership, labor groups, boards, committees, and community partners.
• Help shape short- and long-term strategic goals.
• Draft and update policies, procedures, and operational approaches for the wellness program.
• Prepare professional documents such as policies, procedures, executive summaries, board memos, reports, and statistical analyses.
• Support the selection, oversight, and contract compliance of vendors, consultants, and service providers.
• Assist with budget planning and budget tracking.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on participation, outcomes, and program effectiveness on a quarterly and annual basis.
• Recommend and carry out improvements to increase program value and impact.
• Partner with information systems staff to improve data systems and technology tools used by the program.
• Perform other related tasks as needed.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The County is seeking someone who brings a positive and approachable leadership style, political awareness, and the ability to earn trust across all levels of an organization. The ideal candidate is collaborative, customer-focused, service-minded, strategic, innovative, and results-oriented.

Strong oral and written communication skills are important, along with the ability to work effectively with executives, managers, employees, labor partners, vendors, and community stakeholders while encouraging teamwork. The successful candidate should stay composed under pressure, manage competing priorities well, make sound decisions, and demonstrate strong judgment, analytical thinking, and integrity.

Experience with trauma-informed practices and organizational development is preferred, along with a strong commitment to holistic well-being and positive workplace culture.

Education and Certification Preferences

A bachelor’s degree or higher in Psychology, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, or another closely related health-focused field is expected.

Helpful certifications include Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), and Wellness Practitioner Certification from the National Wellness Institute. Health Coach certification is strongly preferred. If a candidate does not already have this credential, it may need to be completed within 12 months of hire.

Qualification Path

Any combination of training and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. A typical qualifying background includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, or a similar health-focused field; three years of progressively responsible professional Human Resources experience in a public sector setting with responsibility for wellness program administration and development; and at least one year of supervisory experience.

About the Human Resources Department

The Human Resources Department works with county departments to recruit, develop, and retain the workforce through equitable, innovative services that create positive employee experiences and support a workplace where staff can grow and succeed while serving the community well.

The department emphasizes innovation and service. Its priorities include attracting candidates and building talent pipelines, encouraging continuous learning, improving succession planning, increasing employee engagement, and fostering an inclusive culture centered on whole-person well-being and employee support.

Application and Examination Process

This is an open and promotional recruitment, so any qualified person may apply. Current County of San Mateo employees who have at least six months of continuous service, or 1,040 hours, in classified regular, probationary, extra-help, or limited-term positions before the final filing date will receive five additional points on their final passing score.

The selection process may include an initial review of application materials, an application screening by subject matter experts, a panel interview, and placement on an eligible list for hiring consideration. Finalists may also be invited to a department interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the County may use an education-and-experience appraisal instead of some steps, or may conduct additional review of work history.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement to each stage. Unless otherwise stated, examinations will be held in San Mateo County, California, and candidates must attend at their own expense.

Applications are accepted only online. Candidates must submit the County of San Mateo Employment Application Form along with responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, which is part of the application form. A resume cannot replace the required application materials.

Recruitment Timeline

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 a high quality of life on the San Francisco Peninsula, with access to the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, urban amenities, scenic open space, diverse communities, and outdoor recreation.

With more than 750,000 residents, it is one of California’s largest and most diverse counties, serving communities with a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.

As an employer, the County is committed to equity, safety, and inclusion, and it aims to recruit and retain employees who reflect the diversity of the community. Applicants with varied backgrounds and lived experiences are encouraged to apply. In employee surveys, 80 percent said they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level.