Assistant to the City Manager

JOB About the City of Laguna Woods The City of Laguna Woods occupies approximately three square miles of land that was once a part of South Orange County’s expansive Moulton Ranch.
Prior to the 1960s, dry farming and cattle grazing dominated the area, with a few scattered ranch dwellings and barns.
On March 24, 1999, the City of Laguna Woods was incorporated as Orange County’s 32nd city.
It is a general law city with a Council-Manager form of government and 10.
25 full-time equivalent employees.
In addition to being one of California’s safest and fiscally healthiest cities, the City of Laguna Woods is unique in that the average age of its 17,644 residents is greater than 75.
The City of Laguna Woods is bordered by the cities of Aliso Viejo, Irvine, Laguna Beach, and Laguna Hills, as well as the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and other open space areas.
Nearby transportation corridors include Interstate 5, State Route 73, and State Route 133.
The Pacific Ocean is located approximately five miles to the west.
Notable land uses include the private gated community of Laguna Woods Village, several senior-oriented residential communities, a number of commercial centers, and three public parks.
More information about the City of Laguna Woods is available on the City’s website.
About the Position The City of Laguna Woods is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented professional to fill a new, full-time Assistant to the City Manager position.
The successful candidate will provide managerial and highly complex administrative, analytical, professional, and technical support to the City Manager and Administrative Services Director/City Treasurer.
The successful candidate will be responsible for a diverse portfolio of assignments and projects that may involve any aspect of the City of Laguna Woods’ operations (e.
g.
, significant work plan items included in the Budget & Work Plan and programs included in the General Plan Housing Element), with an initial emphasis on housing and information technology.
Core responsibilities are also anticipated to include research, evaluation, and analysis; grant writing; and, developing studies related to potential new and modified programs, projects, and services.
The successful candidate will regularly represent the City of Laguna Woods, City Manager, and Administrative Services Director/City Treasurer to external parties and engage in public relations, community outreach, event planning, and external partnership development-related work (e.
g.
, pursuing partnerships with nonprofit organizations to offer local housing mobility counseling, housing mediation, foreclosure assistance, multilingual tenant legal counseling, and vocational counseling services).
Applicants should have strong writing skills and be comfortable speaking in public and interacting with residents, businesses, community groups, and elected officials.
Essential duties are further described in the Assistant to the City Manager job classification.
Education and Experience Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for this position is qualifying.
A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, public policy, business administration, or subjects applicable to the assignment, and five years of increasingly responsible full-time work experience involving relevant operations and activities.
Possession of a master’s degree; prior experience administering programs, projects, or services for a municipal or other government agency, preferably in a City Manager’s Office; and, prior experience in a supervisory position are highly desirable.