The City of Ceres, California, is seeking its next City Manager who is a pillar of the community, upholds the mission and priorities of the City Council, and develops winning strategies to meet the needs of a developing community. The City Manager will be an experienced public administrator, well-grounded in city fiscal management practices, economic development, budget oversight, staff leadership, and employee and community relations. Additionally, the next City Manager will be resilient, a strategic organizational leader, demonstrate confidence, all balanced with humility and empathy for others. The successful candidate will create and support an organizational culture that embraces diversity and fosters professionalism, honesty, creative thinking, and an enjoyable work environment. Interested applicants should have a desire and passion for public service, embrace and engage with our community, and take an interest in Ceres’ culture, history, and vision.
The City Manager is appointed by, and reports to, a five-member City Council and oversees all general administration and oversight of City departments, an approximate annual operating and CIP budget of $131 million, and a direct staff of 10 and indirect staff of 180 who work in finance, human resources, economic development, engineering, planning & building, public works, police, and recreation departments. The City Manager also works effectively with contracted services, businesses, chamber, nonprofits, school district, the County, and other jurisdictions.
The City Manager will ensure cross-departmental collaboration and organizational efficiency and play a key role in community and economic development. They will strive to accomplish Council’s goals and objections and demonstrate political savvy, emotional intelligence, and excellent communications skills. They will be a creative and strategic thinker, problem solver, and effective leader.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate should be external facing, hardworking, passionate about serving the public and providing good municipal governance and economic development, and interested in becoming part of the community through community engagement and relationship building. The ideal candidate will also have experience as an executive/department head, preferably with a background in development, and/or have experience as an Assistant City Manager or City Manager/Administrator. This candidate has municipal budget, grant, and finance experience. They will be creative and forward thinking, find opportunities for shared partnerships that will support City projects and initiatives, and bring demonstrated experience working with developers, businesses, and economic development strategies. The successful candidate will demonstrate emotional intelligence, value community and employee engagement, and build upon a culture where people love to work.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, economics, or related field
10 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government, including five years as a department head or Assistant City Manager
Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, a valid driver’s license by the time of appointment
Desired:
Master’s degree
Salary and Benefits:
Annual Salary: Up to $210,000 DOE/DOQ | The City Council is committed to being competitive while also being fiscally responsible. In addition to salary, the City offers an attractive benefits package.
HOW TO APPLY: for first consideration APPLY by October 19th at:
The first round of interviews will be virtual and held on November 13th. Finalists will move forward to in-person interviews on November 27th. Candidates invited to interview will need to be available for both days.
Please contact your recruiter, Wendi Brown, with any questions:
