City Manager

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Chico, CA is embarking on an exciting search for its next City Manager – a visionary leader ready to guide a vibrant, fast-growing community at the heart of the North State. Framed by tree-lined streets, a thriving downtown, and the natural beauty of Bidwell Park, Chico offers the unique opportunity to shape a city known for innovations, resilience, and high quality of life.

The City is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and forward-thinking executive who can champion community priorities, organizational excellence, and lead Chico into its next chapter of progress. For leaders who value impact, partnership, and possibilities, Chico is a place where your leadership can truly make a difference.

The City of Chico, with a population of approximately 114,000, is the largest city in Butte County. Home to Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipally owned parks in the nation, Chico has many recreational opportunities in the area. With an average of 172 sunny days a year, Chico provides quick access to hiking, skiing, boating, hunting, and fishing. California State University-Chico continues to be a significant influence on the local community and is a key employer and contributor to the local economy.

The city offers a learning community with a rich culture and a young spirit. Chico is known as a well-managed city that values quality infrastructure and services and maintains a special sense of community and small-town living as it has developed into a vibrant regional center for business, recreation, and cultural activities. Chico is a magnet for individuals seeking an environment where you can live and work while enjoying unparalleled access to outdoor recreation and the social spirit of an involved community.

The City of Chico is a charter city, and the City Council consists of seven council members elected at large to staggered four-year terms. The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are chosen directly by Council and serve a two-year term. The City of Chico is a full-service city with a FY 2025-26 General Fund of over $74.1 million and an allocated staff of 478 FTEs.

City operations are headed by the City Manager who oversees an executive management team comprised of eleven operating departments:
Building and Development Services, Capital Projects, the City Clerk, Finance, Fire, General Services, Housing and Neighborhood Services, Human Resources & Risk Management, Information Systems, Planning Services, and the Police Department.

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 department heads and six administrative employees. Key responsibilities include working in a creative and careful manner to allow the Mayor, City Council, and management to accomplish their goals and objectives;

proposing an annual budget and providing for the balancing of revenues and expenditures; enforcing and administering the provisions of the laws and ordinances governing the City; coordinating the general activities of the City government with other governmental agencies; and maintaining and enhancing the positive relationships that currently exist with the workforce.

The City Manager must be a solid municipal leader with a style characterized by collaboration and partnership. Under the direction of the City Council, this position serves as the City’s chief executive officer. The ideal candidate will possess a deep knowledge of municipal government and be skilled in effectively leading a vibrant local government entity. This experienced professional will also have excellent communication skills, a solution-driven approach, and an ability to leverage technology to maximize operational efficiency and service levels.

The City of Chico offers a competitive compensation and benefits program. The anticipated starting salary for the City Manager position is +‑ $250,000 annually DOQ. Chico’s excellent benefits program includes CalPERS…