City of Los Altos

Meet Jaime Chew, our Parks & Recreation Deputy Director who brings over 20 years of public sector experience in parks & recreation. Jaime began her career as a lifeguard and swim instructor with the City of Milpitas. Later, she progressed to a Program Coordinator with the City of Union City and a Recreation Services Supervisor with the City of Milpitas before coming to the City of Los Altos in 2016. Jaime now has the privilege of serving the Los Altos community by leading and supporting the recreation division within the Parks & Recreation department in creating community through people, parks, and programs.   For AANHPI Month, Jaime shared a cherished childhood memory that is tied to her heritage.   “As a third generation Chinese American, one of my fondest childhood memories was making dumplings to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The celebrations were always held at my grandparent’s house as they had the space to accommodate our very large family. We would all sit around a large table—my grandmother, my aunties, and my cousins. Together, surrounded by stacks of wrappers and bowls of filling, we would work to create piles of delicious dumplings. The hard part was waiting for them to finish cooking so we could enjoy their yumminess! In retrospect, this experience really instilled in me the importance of family and tradition, and to this day we still gather at my grandmother’s house each year to make dumplings. Additionally, it also makes me appreciative that the City of Los Altos and the Parks & Recreation department supports cultural events like the Lunar New Year, Juneteenth, Iftar, and Diwali, just to name a few, to assist in celebrating the many cultural facets of the Los Altos community.”

Meet Sergeant Kam, a law enforcement professional with nearly two decades of service in the South Bay. For AANHPI (Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) Heritage Month, Sergeant Kam shared his path into law enforcement, discussing how his upbringing, education, and early aspirations ultimately led him to pursue a career dedicated to serving the community. “I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. I am Cambodian and Chinese. I graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Although I was attending college for a business degree, I had always dreamt of becoming a police officer. Growing up in an Asian household where your parents help make decisions for you, I was only given the option to major in business administration or computer engineering. But I just could not live with myself not knowing if I could have made it as a police officer. So I secretly applied for a police officer position with the San Jose Police Department while I was attending college. I graduated SJSU in December of 2006 and was hired two weeks later in January of 2007 with the San Jose Police Department. I then came to the Los Altos Police Department in June of 2008 and have been here for the past 18 years. Growing up in an Asian community, most people were terrified of the police and always wanted to avoid making eye contact. I personally did not understand why they were so fearful. The single biggest reason on why I chose to become a police officer was to give back to my community by bridging the gap between police officers and the Asian community. I wanted to show them that police officers were approachable and there to help.”

AANHPI Heritage Month is here, and we’re celebrating by sharing the stories of team members whose experiences and leadership make a meaningful impact. To start, meet Jessie Kim, our Finance Director who brings over 15 years of experience in finance across both the public and private sectors. Jessie began her career in the public sector in Korea, later transitioned into the private sector as a CPA after moving to the United States, and eventually returned to the public sector, where she found a deeper sense of purpose. She started as an audit intern and has since grown into a leadership role dedicated to financial stewardship, accountability, and serving the community. For AANHPI Month, Jessie shared how her heritage has influenced her work and continues to shape it every day. "Growing up in Korean culture, I was raised with a strong sense of responsibility to others, respect for community, and the importance of perseverance. Those values have shaped how I approach my work, whether it’s ensuring transparency in financial decisions or supporting my team with a long-term mindset. Starting my career here as an intern, I learned early on the value of continuous learning and accountability. Over the years, I’ve carried those lessons with me, along with a deep appreciation for community. To me, public service is not just about numbers. It’s about trust, stewardship, and contributing to something larger than yourself. AANHPI Heritage Month is a reminder of the journeys many of us have taken and the importance of representation, resilience, and giving back to the communities that have supported us along the way."

✨ Ready to make an impact? We’re looking for a Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator 📣 to bring fresh ideas to our City’s website and social media 💻📱. With great benefits and exciting new projects, this is your chance to help shape our story—while having fun along the way 🎉. This full-time, professional-level role is ideal for an independent, innovative, and creative communicator 🎨 who can develop and manage engaging content, initiatives, and public outreach strategies 🤝. You’ll play a key role in strengthening communication with Los Altos residents, businesses, and the broader community while working closely with the City Manager’s Office 🏛️. As we update our City website, this position will be instrumental in shaping the site from development through launch—and ensuring its continued success and relevance 🚀. Apply today (www.losaltosca.gov/jobs) and help us tell the story of Los Altos!

Last week, our executive team treated city staff to a homemade breakfast to say a special thank you. Many departments, from Parks to Police, gathered around the table to share updates, celebrate accomplishments, and strengthen the teamwork that empowers our community. It was a morning of gratitude and connection that reminded us how collaboration fuels great public service!

☀️ 2026 Summer Internships - City of Los Altos ☀️ Are you looking to get hands-on experience with local government? We’re seeking five motivated students to work on meaningful city projects across the City Manager’s Office, Communications, Development Services, and Finance. This is a valuable opportunity for students to explore the rewards of a career in public service, both personally and professionally. This program reflects the City’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of public servants. We look forward to welcoming our interns and supporting their growth this summer. Join us in making a difference and exploring a career in public service! 👉 Apply today (www.losaltosca.gov/jobs) and kickstart your career! #Summerinternship #cityoflosaltos #jobs #internship #marketing #communications #finance #developmentservices #economicdevelopment #applynow

🚧EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITY — ASSISTANT ENGINEER🚧 Do you want to build cities and make a real impact in your community? Our Assistant Engineer position offers an exciting chance to play a key role in projects that enhance mobility, safety, and quality of life for residents in a community known for its beautiful surroundings and engaged citizens. In this dynamic role, you’ll contribute to a wide range of transportation and infrastructure projects, supporting them from early planning and design through construction and final delivery. You’ll work alongside a highly collaborative team that values innovation, professional growth, and excellence in public service. ✨ Upcoming projects include: • San Antonio Streetscape improvements (Foothill Expressway to El Camino Real) • Annual Streets Project (Mill & Overlay) • Annual Slurry Seal Program • Annual Striping Improvements • New traffic signal installation at Fremont Avenue & Springer Road This is your opportunity to help shape the future of transportation, improve everyday travel, and create lasting community impact. 👉 Apply today (www.losaltosca.gov/jobs) and join a transportation team dedicated to building projects that keep the community moving! #NowHiring #AssistantEngineer #CivilEngineering #Transportation #PublicWorks #Infrastructure #CityCareers #EngineeringJobs & 🌟JOB OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE — CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR🌟 Are you passionate about construction, infrastructure, and making a real impact in your community? Here’s your chance to play a vital role in shaping the future of Los Altos! The Public Works team is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Construction Inspector to help deliver high-quality infrastructure projects that residents rely on every day. This is more than just a job — it’s an opportunity to take pride and ownership in projects that leave a lasting legacy. In this role, you’ll be at the center of dynamic public works initiatives, collaborating with contractors, engineers, and the community to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with specifications. From annual street improvements and slurry seal programs to transformative downtown reconstruction efforts, your work will help build a stronger, more connected city. ✨ If you have experience in public works construction and are motivated to make a meaningful difference, we highly encourage you to apply. Join a team that is dedicated to excellence, innovation, and community impact — and be part of projects that truly matter. 👉 Apply today (www.losaltosca.gov/jobs) and help build the future of Los Altos! #NowHiring #ConstructionJobs #PublicWorks #Infrastructure #CityJobs #CareerOpportunity #BuildTheFuture

🚨 We’re hiring a Senior Accountant! 🚨 The City of Los Altos is seeking a knowledgeable and detail-focused Senior Accountant to become an integral part of our collaborative and high-achieving Finance team. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a stable, respected organization that proudly serves a vibrant community. If you’re ready to make an impact in local government finance, we encourage you to apply today! 👉 Apply now: www.losaltosca.gov/jobs

As we celebrate Black History Month, we will be spotlighting more of our employees whose leadership and experiences strengthen our organization and the community we serve. To start us off, meet Kalah Gaskins, who proudly serves as the Human Resources Manager in the Human Resources Department. In this role, she is committed to serving the community with integrity, compassion, and a continuous desire to learn and grow. Kalah brings over 8 years of public-sector HR experience and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, along with a Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Leadership Development from Capella University. For Black History Month, Kalah shared a quote from Maya Angelou that reflects her approach to public service: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou “Black History Month is a time to honor voices that have uplifted generations and continue to guide us forward. This quote resonates with me as a reminder that growth and progress are essential to meaningful public service, and it inspires me to lead with resilience, purpose, and excellence.”

Happy National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day! Sending a huge shout out to all the officers who protect and serve every day, and an extra warm thank‑you to the team supporting Los Altos every day. Thank you 💙 #NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay