City of Willits, City Manager

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

Filing Deadline: Open Until Filled 

About the City 

The City of Willits is an excellent location from which to enjoy the exceptional beauty of Mendocino County. Geographically, Willits is in the center of Mendocino County and provides much in terms of climate, recreation and cultural arts. To the north are the majestic redwoods and the beautiful Eel River watershed, to the south are award winning wineries, and to the west is the rugged Mendocino Coast. Willits has a population of around 5,000 and offers many resources to surrounding communities, including the county museum, a library, a Community College Campus, annual Frontier Days with the longest continuously running rodeo in California, the Skunk Train, and a new state-of-the art hospital.

The Position

The City of Willits has recently confronted a fiscal challenge, taking decisive action to realign its organization, reduce costs, and restore financial stability. Those efforts are resulting in a balanced budget, clearer priorities, and a committed, talented management team. With the hard reset complete, Willits is poised to shift from stabilization to strategic progress. This position offers a rare opportunity for a City Manager who thrives in moments of transition— someone ready to build momentum, strengthen operations, and partner with the City Council and community to shape the next chapter of Willits’ future.

Qualifications 

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

Education: Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in Public or Business Administration, or a closely related field, is desired. An ICMA Credentialed Manager would also be desirable.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively complex and responsible administrative experience in municipal government with at least one year as a City Manager, Deputy or Assistant City Manager, or a government sector department head. This work experience should include at least five years of supervisory or managerial experience.

Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid California Driver’s license.

Salary

The salary depends on qualifications. In addition, the City offers an attractive benefits package including:

Retirement: The City participates in CalPERS. For new employees covered under PEPRA, the retirement formula is 2% at 62 with an employee contribution of 7.75%.

Medical Insurance: The City offers a choice of two PPO, or HDP plans. The City contributes 100% of the health premium cost based on the category of coverage [employee, or employee plus dependent(s)].

Dental: City paid for employee and dependents.

Vision: City paid for employee and dependents.

Employee Assistant Program: City offered.

Deferred Compensation: Voluntary 457(b) plan.

Vacation: Earned at 4.62 hours per pay period.

Management Leave: 100 hours per year, pro-rated.

Holidays: 11 paid holidays per year.

Floating Holidays: 3 paid holidays per year.

Sick Leave: Earned at 3.08 hours per pay period.

Life Insurance and AD&D: City paid at a $115,000 policy.

For More Information

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call City of Willits Human Resources Department at: (707) 459-7176 or via email: jobs@cityofwillits.org