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The City of Santa Rosa lies 55 miles north of San Francisco, and with approximately 160,000 residents, is the largest city between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. Located in the heart of Sonoma County wine country the city boasts a thriving downtown lined with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. Santa Rosa is an economically, politically, and culturally diverse community offering a wide variety of recreational and cultural activities. The City is well known for its excellent schools, Mediterranean climate, an abundance of trees and beautiful parks. Among its recently named awards are: one of the 50 greenest cities in the United States; one of the top five mid-sized-city downtowns in California; and a National Civic League All-America City. Appointed by a seven-member City Council, the City Manager will oversee a full-service city staff of 1,346 and 2009/10 Total Expenditure Budget of $315M with a General Fund Budget of $114M. The ideal candidate will have proven local government leadership experience; strong communication and interpersonal skills; and a solid understanding of municipal budget and finance. An individual who is visible in the community and will ensure that the City Council is kept equally well informed will excel in this position. Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration or a related field is required; Master’s degree is highly desirable. Salary is DOQ supplemented by an attractive benefits package including 3% @ 60 CalPERS.
Located just 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Rosa is the seat of Sonoma County and the center of trade, government, commerce and medical facilities for the North Bay area. The surrounding area is home to over a hundred wineries and vineyards, many beautiful parks and recreational facilities as well as 16 golf courses.
Santa Rosa has many attractions akin to large cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions and internationally-recognized restaurants, but still retains the warmth and small-town feel of decades past.
With fine schools that include a renowned junior college, a wealth of businesses and services, a nearly endless array of recreational opportunities, including spas, and a superb climate in which to enjoy them, Santa Rosa is a combination of elements that create a vibrant community. The City is in the center of a nationally recognized cycling area.
Santa Rosa is home to the Sonoma County Museum, which hosts a variety of exhibits throughout the year, and the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, a tribute to the life and art of one of our most famous citizens. As the weather warms, the Wednesday Downtown Market can be found on Fourth Street, featuring an array of booths with food, agricultural products and arts and crafts.
On summer evenings, there are outdoor concerts in Juilliard Park and Courthouse Square that fill the air with music. Live theatre is available at the Santa Rosa Junior College Summer
Repertory Theatre, or by attending events at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts or the 6th Street Playhouse. Santa Rosa also hosts a Civic Artwalk - a walking tour of artwork on loan to the City for display and changed each year.
Last but not least, Santa Rosa is the chosen spot where famed horticulturist, Luther Burbank, experimented with plants for most of his 50-year career. His home, greenhouse and gardens, as well as the Gift Shop and Museum, are a well-loved City treasure.
Santa Rosa is a charter City. The City Council is comprised of seven members, elected at large who serves four year overlapping terms. The City Council selects the Mayor (following its election) from among its members to serve a two-year term. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney.
The City of Santa Rosa has an adopted FY 2009/2010 operating budget of $314 million. The City has 1,291 budgeted positions. Operating departments within the City include; Community Development, Public Works, Recreation Parks and Community Services, Utilities, Finance, Police, Fire, Human Resources, Transit, and Economic Development and Housing.
Like most California cities, Santa Rosa has been affected by the recession. The economic downturn has resulted in a number of issues including; job losses, decreased discretionary spending, and a fluctuating revenue base causing budget reductions for multiple services. This brings the finances for the City of Santa Rosa to the forefront of opportunities for the City Manager to make a progressive and sustained impact. The City of Santa Rosa views budget issues as ones that can be addressed and resolved through a variety of mechanisms. Current measures to address the City’s finances include: pursuing grants from multiple entities for the continuation of programs and services, reviewing possible options to increase revenue through various tax increases, employee lay-offs, and enhanced Economic Develpment strategies, which focus specifically on creating jobs and growing consumer spending. There will be a continuing need to closely monitor revenues and expenditures to ensure the future financial health of the City through pursuing sustainable budgeting practices. Economic development needs to be sensitive to the community and environmental concerns of the citizens of Santa Rosa.
The City of Santa Rosa is dealing with gang activity through the use of a Gang Prevention Task force, which offers resources for curbing gang activity. This is an area that needs to continue to be a focus of the City.
Additionally, the City of Santa Rosa prides itself on its environmental awareness. Every day Santa Rosa works to make the City a better place to live by being responsive, competent stewards of the environment for the benefit of citizens and visitors through their Green Building Program and participation in Sonoma County’s Community Climate Action Plan. This Plan hopes to reduce GHG’s by 25% from 2000 levels, by 2015. The Mayor’s creation of a Climate Change and Sustainability Task Force has focused on this specific goal. The environmental stewardship of the City should be at the forefront of City operations. The City still has opportunities for improvement in sustainability and environmental consideration.
The City Council is looking for a candidate who shares their vision regarding the role of the City in working on issues directly affecting the residents of the City. The City Council sees the need to actively engage the community in solving matters affecting the community. The ideal candidate will be ready to roll up his/her sleeves and tackle finance and economic development issues head on, with open, collaborative communication. An individual who has an assertive and thought out approach to economic development and financing will be essential for this position. The ideal candidate will keep the City Council equally well informed regarding issues facing the City.
The City Council is looking for a candidate who is excited by the challenges the City is currently facing, and the successes the City has had in continuing to be a leader in education, community, and environmental sustainability. The City of Santa Rosa has implemented a number of successful programs tackling gang activity, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. The City Council would like a candidate that keeps these issues in focus for the advancement of the City.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated the ability to listen to and understand a variety of viewpoints, facilitate discussions and address complex issues pragmatically with respect for all parties and views. The City Manager will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills to address issues facing the City. An individual who will facilitate community involvement, participation and create a positive atmosphere will be valued in this position.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of modern municipal administrative methods and procedures, organizations and functions; current social, political and economic trends and operating problems of municipal government; applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations regarding local government operations; principles of effective public relations and interrelationships with community groups and agencies, private businesses and firms and other levels of government.
Typically candidates applying for this position will possess a Bachelor’s degree. Education equivalent to a Master’s Degree with major course work in public or business administration or a closely related field is preferred.
The salary for the City Manager is open depending on qualifications and experience. The City also offers an attractive benefits package including:
Retirement – PERS 3% @ 60 (Single Highest Year). City provides voluntary 457K and 401K plans.
Health Benefits – 87.5% City paid. Current max $1,322.81/mo (family/highest plan).
Dental and Vision Plan – The City pays the monthly premiums for Dental and Vision.
Life Insurance – $250,000 with AD&D. Provided by the City.
Vacation Leave – 80 hours up to completion of 4th year, with increases in 5th, 12th, and 25th year. Vacation sell back options provided.
Sick Leave – 12 days (96 hours) per year. At retirement a portion of sick leave can be cashed out or converted to retirement credit.
Administrative Leave – 20-80 hours annually.
Holidays – City provides 12 (8 hours each) paid holidays with three floating days (24 hours).
Other Benefits – Long Term Leave, Bereavement Leave, Supplemental Life Insurance, Expense Reimbursement plans.
Following the closing date, résumés will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates will be invited to personal interviews with Bob Murray and Associates. A select group of candidates will be asked to provide references once it is anticipated that they may be recommended as finalists. References will be contacted only following candidate approval. Finalist interviews will be held with the City of Santa Rosa. Candidates will be advised of the status of the recruitment following selection of the City Manager.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Bob Murray or Amanda Urrutia-Sanders at: (916) 784-9080
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