When San Jose selects its next director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, it should conduct an open, competitive national recruitment — not presume the position will be filled from within the department. Qualified internal candidates who have demonstrated success in change management and possess relevant operational skills should be encouraged to apply and be evaluated fairly. But San Jose residents also deserve assurances that the city will consider the strongest available candidates before entrusting a new leader with hundreds of parks, community centers, recreation programs and other essential public services, along with a significant annual budget. If San Jose...