The City of Banning, CA, is seeking an experienced, progressive, community oriented municipal administrator to become the City’s new City Manager.

The City

The City of Banning is located just 80 miles east of Los Angeles, 24 miles west of the popular desert community of Palm Springs, and is accessible to nearby Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles counties. Nestled between Southern California’s two highest mountain peaks, Mt. San Jacinto and Mt. San Gorgonio, the City’s picturesque and scenic vistas, good air quality, abundant outdoor desert and mountain recreation activities, charming and friendly community, abundant and affordable housing, and plentiful community amenities make Banning a highly desirable place to work, have fun, and raise a family. The City’s 26,000 residents are proud of a rich heritage that has contributed to a spirit of pioneer resourcefulness and the prevalent "can do" attitude. The City is poised for rapid residential, light industrial and commercial growth.

The Organization

Incorporated in 1913, the City of Banning is a full-service general law city operating under the Council-Manager form of government. Council members are currently elected at-large to four-year terms with the Mayor selected from among its members for a one-year term. The City Clerk also is elected. The City Council appoints the City Manager and the City Attorney.

The City has a $59 million fiscal year 2002/03 all funds budget and 167 highly dedicated employees assigned to twelve City departments: Administration, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Treasurer, Police, Fire (Contract), Finance, Public Works/ Public Utilities, Community Development, Economic Development/Redevelopment, Community Services, and Human Resources. The City enjoys a balanced budget in all its funds and has a number of resources to build on.

The City Manager reports directly to the City Council and is an at-will contract employee. As the City’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency, he/she provides policy-based program and financial decision-making advice and support to the Council; implements Council directives and initiatives; appoints all City department heads and support staff; nurtures and trains staff; develops, recommends and administers the City’s budget; provides leadership to City employees to meet the Council’s ambitious goals and objectives; and serves the citizens through the City Council to provide efficient services to the community.

Responsibilities

The City Manager has primary responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the City. He/She works closely with the City’s senior executive team in formulating strategic, community, public safety, and economic development plans and programs; developing management and personnel policies and procedures; establishing performance standards and measuring performance; evaluating employee effectiveness; negotiating labor contracts; conducting organization and financial analyses and audits; monitoring revenues and expenditures; and ensuring that the City has sound management, fiscal, personnel, and information systems. The City Manager is an important link between the City Council, City staff, citizens, the school district, businesses, community and special interest groups, and other cities, special districts, and various State and Federal regulatory agencies. The City Manager is responsible for promoting community participation and involvement in City government and encourages staff involvement in community activities.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Public/Business Administration or a closely related field and 5 years of progressively responsible municipal management experience with an emphasis in personnel administration, financial management, economic development, community development, redevelopment, and organizational development. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing a city equal to or larger than Banning; be a proven, capable executive with an unblemished record of integrity; be recognized as progressive, imaginative, and an innovator; be open, straightforward, and direct with all Council members; be computer literate and have experience assessing and implementing information technology systems; be able to set performance goals and objectives and manage projects; and have experience building regional relationships, community support, and public/private partnerships. In addition, the successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills; have experience marketing a community’s strengths and addressing weaknesses in a tactful and constructive manner; understand the emergence and potential impact of regional government on a community, specifically in the areas of air quality, economic development, transportation, natural resources, housing and land use; have experience in planning and developing affordable housing, attracting and retaining businesses; and have broad experience in all of the traditional local government disciplines and operations necessary to supervise and direct the work of department heads.

Personal Characteristics

· A Proven Administrator and Leader.

· A Visionary.

· A Strategic Thinker.

· Open, Accessible and Responsive to the City Council, Staff, and the Community.

· An Excellent Communicator.

· Customer Service Oriented.

· A Team Player and Builder.

· Collaborative.

· A Self-Starter.

· Resourceful.

· Enthusiastic and Hardworking.

· Ethical, Trustworthy, and Loyal.

· Politically Sensitive but Apolitical.

· Diplomatic.

Salary and Benefits

The proposed salary range for City Manager is $115,000 to $131,000. Appointment may be made within the range, depending on qualifications.

The City also offers a competitive management benefits package that includes:

· Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2.5% at 55. City pays 7% of the 8% employee contribution. Employee pays 1% on a tax deferred basis.

· Deferred Compensation plan with 6% contribution to one of the City’s deferred compensation programs.

· Section 125 Flexible Spending Account.

· Health Insurance with fully paid premiums for employee and dependents, including vision and dental.

· Life Insurance with fully paid premiums equal to annual salary.

· Generous vacation, sick leave, and personal leave benefits.

· City Vehicle.

· City paid professional association memberships.

· City participates in Social Security.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Banning is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity.

Candidates who require a reasonable accommodation in the selection process should state their needs in writing when submitting an application package.

Application Process

RJA Management Services, Inc. has been contracted by the City to solicit a strong candidate pool and administer all application procedures. An application package consisting of two (2) copies of your resume with a cover letter outlining qualifications, an RJA supplemental questionnaire, and a list of five (5) professional references is required for consideration. A questionnaire can be obtained by calling RJA at (626) 447-3318. Completed application packages should be sent to:

Additional Information