News Summary
Huntington Beach is looking for an Assistant City Manager to aid in administrative operations following the appointment of City Manager Travis Hopkins. The ACM will be key in negotiating, managing projects, and coordinating with city departments. Candidates must possess a master’s degree and five years of relevant experience. The new ACM will join the Executive Leadership Team as the city continues to adapt its leadership structure. The city is also searching for a city spokesperson to ensure continuous effective communication.
Huntington Beach Seeks Assistant City Manager Amid Leadership Changes
The City of Huntington Beach is actively searching for an Assistant City Manager (ACM) as part of a leadership transition following the recent appointment of City Manager Travis Hopkins. This crucial position will support the City Manager in overseeing administrative operations and implementing city policies.
The new ACM will have a range of responsibilities that include participating in major negotiations, managing special projects, and coordinating efforts with other City departments and external agencies. The ACM will also be a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, which consists of elected and appointed department directors.
Position Details and Requirements
The City employs around 1,500 personnel to serve its population of approximately 200,000 residents. To be eligible for the ACM position, candidates must hold a master’s degree in Public Administration or a related field from an accredited institution. Additionally, applicants should have a minimum of five years experience in a high-level administrative or staff role within a public agency.
The salary for the ACM role ranges from $18,461.73 to $24,741.60 monthly. Interested candidates can submit their applications through the City’s official job posting webpage until the position is filled.
Recent Leadership Appointments
Travis Hopkins, who has held various positions within the City since starting in 2006, was appointed City Manager unanimously by the City Council. He is the first permanent city manager in over a year. His contract spans four years and includes an annual salary of $311,750. The contract does not provide for automatic salary increases; however, merit-based increases are permitted. In cases of termination without cause, his agreement stipulates a provision for severance amounting to six months of pay and benefits unless otherwise notified.
Alongside Hopkins, Jennifer Carey has been appointed as Deputy City Manager after serving as Acting Deputy City Manager for six months. Carey began her career with the City in 2021 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Communication from Arizona State University. Despite stepping down from her position to become Chief of Staff for Republican state Senator Tony Strickland’s office, she will continue to engage with the Huntington Beach community.
Future Role and Recruitment Efforts
As part of the ongoing transition, the City is also looking to fill Carey’s previous role by searching for a new city spokesperson, signaling a concerted effort to maintain effective communication and administrative leadership during this period of change.
This recruitment for an ACM and other leadership roles is critical as Huntington Beach navigates its administrative needs and future projects while seeking to enhance its service delivery to the residents.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Appoints Travis Hopkins as City Manager
- Wikipedia: Huntington Beach, California
- OC Register: Sean Crumby Named Interim City Manager of Irvine
- Google Search: City Manager California
- Public CEO: Huntington Beach Names Jennifer Carey Deputy City Manager
- Google Scholar: Huntington Beach City Manager
- Orange County Tribune: City Manager Appointment Election Decision
- Encyclopedia Britannica: City Government
- Daily Breeze: Rancho Palos Verdes Hires New Deputy City Manager from Huntington Beach
- Google News: Huntington Beach Leadership Changes
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA
The Costa Mesa Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, performances at the Pacific Amphitheatre, and community gatherings at The LAB Anti-Mall. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Visit Costa Mesa, plus leading businesses in retail, entertainment, and innovation that shape the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
