City of California City, City Manager

The city of California City is looking for a city manager. For more information, please review the job brochure.

Filing Deadline: Oct. 18, 2026

About the City 

Located in the western Mojave Desert, California City offers a distinctive combination of affordability, open space, outdoor recreation and opportunity. With approximately 15,000 residents spread across more than 200 square miles, California City is one of the most geographically expansive communities in California, providing residents with a spacious, relaxed lifestyle that is increasingly difficult to find in the state.

The Position 

Reporting to the city council, the city manager provides executive leadership and general management of the city of California City’s departments, programs, and operations, carrying out the policies, priorities and directives established by the city council. The city manager
serves as the chief administrative officer and works closely with the mayor, city council, staff, residents, businesses and community stakeholders to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of municipal services.

The Ideal Candidate 

The city council is seeking an accomplished, collaborative and forward-thinking administrative professional with strong team-building skills to serve as California City’s next city manager. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator who builds trust and earns the respect of the city council, staff, residents, businesses and community stakeholders through sound judgment, knowledge, ethics and integrity. A confident yet approachable leader, the city manager will value collaboration, teamwork and staff empowerment while bringing creativity, versatility, and strong problem-solving skills to a dynamic environment characterized by diverse perspectives, personalities and complex issues. The successful candidate will also bring a strong background in municipal finance, budgeting, and economic development, with the ability to connect sound financial management to the city’s long-term goals and opportunities.

Compensation & Benefits

Qualified candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public administration, business administration, finance or a closely related field, along with at least four years of management or supervisory experience, preferably within a public agency or governmental setting. The annual salary for the city manager is $190,000.

For More Information

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Mr. Jon Lewis at: (916) 784-9080.