City Manager

San Fernando offers an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished municipal executive who values the personal connections, visibility, and direct community impact that distinguish leadership in a smaller city. Proudly independent within the San Fernando Valley, the City combines a rich cultural heritage, established neighborhoods, and an engaged community with the challenges and opportunities of delivering modern municipal services.

The next City Manager will play a pivotal role in implementing San Fernando Vision 2031, the City’s adopted five-year strategic plan. This includes strengthening organizational leadership and workforce capacity, modernizing infrastructure and technology, supporting long-term fiscal stability, enhancing public safety, and building community trust.

San Fernando seeks an experienced executive who can translate Council direction into visible, measurable results while honoring the City’s identity and traditions.

The next City Manager will help implement San Fernando Vision 2031 while strengthening the organizational foundation needed to deliver essential services. The plan identifies opportunities to clarify governance roles, improve departmental coordination, address staffing capacity and succession, modernize processes and technology, and maintain a capable, supported workforce.

Long-term fiscal sustainability and public assets are central priorities. The City Manager will guide financial planning and forecasting, revenue diversification, economic development, and effective grant management while advancing water-system improvements, capital planning, asset management, and deferred-maintenance strategies.

Equally important will be advancing public safety and maintaining community confidence. The successful candidate will build productive relationships with the Council, employees, residents, businesses, and regional partners; encourage meaningful engagement; and turn the City’s adopted priorities into practical, measurable accomplishments. 

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in finance, business administration, public administration or related field. A master’s degree in business administration, public administration or related field is preferred; AND

Experience: At least seven (7) to ten (10) years of management and administrative experience in a municipal government or similar public agency setting, at least five (5) of which were at a department head level or higher, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Prior City Manager or Assistant City Manager experience is highly desirable.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of municipal operations, public finance, personnel administration, labor relations, economic development, capital improvement planning, and intergovernmental relations. Political acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to work effectively with elected officials and a diverse community are essential. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is highly desirable.

The City Council reserves the right to select any combination of experience, education and work history that will provide the highest level of service to the City Council, the organization and the community.

For additional information, contact:

Henry Garcia, Executive Recruiter | 951.999.1617 | Henry@hrdpm.com

Rhonda Strout-Garcia, Executive Recruiter | 951.905.0025 | Rhonda@hrdpm.com

Salary: The current compensation for this position is $277,568 annually. A mutually agreeable employment contract will be negotiated with the selected candidate, dependent upon qualifications.

CalPERS Retirement: 2% @ 55 plan for Classic members; and 2% @ 62 for PEPRA members. The City also participates in Social Security.

Medical/Dental/Vision: Cafeteria plan monthly flex-dollar allowance for family coverage is $2,814.09 per month. City contributes $150 per pay period to a designated retiree medical trust or savings plan. Voluntary flex spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care available.

Deferred Compensation: $500 per month to the employee’s 457 plan; additional voluntary contributions and/or Roth IRA enrolment available.

Paid Leave: 13 paid holidays, 160-240 hours of annual leave based on years of service; 120 hours (15 days) of management leave annually prorated in the first year.

Life Insurance and Disability: $50,000 basic life and AD&D coverage. City-paid short and long-term disability insurance plans provided.

Auto/Cell Phone Allowances: $400 per month automobile allowance and $125 per month cellphone allowance.

Education/Wellness: Up to $3,000 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement; and up to $750 per fiscal year for qualifying wellness expenses.

Professional Dues: City-paid.

Longevity Pay: 3% after 10 years of service.

Bilingual Pay: $100 per month for qualifying employees.