THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Orange, one of Southern California’s most desirable communities, presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced executive to lead a well-respected organization through a pivotal financial turnaround. With its rich history, strategic location, and strong sense of community, Orange blends the charm of a small town with the potential of economic vitality of a thriving metropolitan hub. However, like many cities, Orange faces financial challenges that require disciplined leadership, operational efficiencies, and a focus on sustainable revenue growth. The next City Manager will play a critical role in stabilizing the City’s fiscal foundation while preserving its high quality of life, ensuring Orange remains a safe community where businesses thrive, residents are engaged, and public services excel.

THE CITY OF ORANGE

The City of Orange was incorporated in 1888. It has grown to more than 20 times its original geographic size yet managed to maintain the small-town values upon which it was founded. Today, more than 140,000 residents call Orange home within the 27 square miles that make up the City. Its prime location offers direct access to five major freeways, a commuter rail network, one major outlet mall and ample public transportation. Orange is convenient to half a dozen major airports, harbors and ports, amusement parks, and at least ten major shopping malls.

CITY GOVERNMENT

The City of Orange operates under a Council-Manager form of government with a seven-member City Council. The City Council is elected by district for four-year overlapping terms with a two-term limit. The Mayor is elected at large for a two-year term with a three-term limit. The Mayor pro-tem is selected by the Councilmembers.

The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer and head of the administrative branch of the City government. Orange provides a full range of services through 12 Departments: Police, Fire, Public Works, Community Development, Finance, Community Services, Library Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, City Clerk’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and City Manager’s Office. The City’s 2024-2025 fiscal year budget is approximately $285 million. The adopted General Fund budget includes $148 million in total revenues and $156 million in total expenditures, yielding a structural deficit of $8 million. Orange is currently funded for 753 full-time equivalent positions.

THE POSITION

Under policy direction from the City Council, the City Manager plans, organizes, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all City functions and activities, as well as provides policy guidance and program evaluation to the City Council and management of 8 department heads and 6 administrative employees. Key responsibilities include directing and coordinating the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and programs for the City Council and the City; overseeing the preparation of the annual budget for the City and providing information regarding the financial condition and needs to the City Council; preparing and recommending long-and short-term plans for City service provision, capital improvements, and funding; overseeing the administration, construction, use, and maintenance of all City facilities and equipment, including buildings, parks, facilities, and other public property; and responding to the most complex, difficult, and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assisting with resolutions and alternative recommendations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Education: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in Public or Business Administration, Public Policy, Finance, or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desired.

• Experience: A minimum of ten years of management or administrative experience in a public agency setting as a City Manager, Assistant City Manager, or in a related administrative/managerial capacity involving responsibility for planning, organization, and implementation.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The Orange City Council will negotiate a highly competitive salary and executive benefits package that is considerate of the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The annual base salary for the incumbent City Manager is $313,862. The City contributes an additional 3% on top of salary which can be taken as cash or placed into a 401A Money Purchase Retirement Plan. Employees with a Master’s degree or higher are eligible to receive $500 per month of Education Pay.

Retirement is provided by CalPERS. The City of Orange is one of a few cities in Orange County in which an employee who is a Classic Member of CalPERS (or other reciprocal retirement system), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ 55 formula with one-year final compensation. Classic Member employees contribute 8.0%. Employees who are new CalPERS members (PEPRA - those obtaining initial membership on or after January 1, 2013), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ 62 formula with three-year final compensation. New member employees currently contribute 7.75%.

In addition, the City of Orange observes an on-site 9/80 work schedule from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. with City Hall closures every other Friday.

Interested candidates are encouraged to review additional benefit information in the detailed recruitment brochure by clicking on the .pdf link on this page.

SELECTION & APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should apply no later than Monday, March 24, 2025, but the City may close the recruitment at any time once a suitably strong group of candidates has been established. Submit a comprehensive résumé and compelling cover letter below.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Greg Nelson | greg@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100

Bryan Noblett | bryan@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100