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The City of Carson will be hiring a new City Manager this fall, replacing current Manager Ken Farfsing.
Farfsing came to Carson from Signal Hill, where he served in the same capacity for 19 years. He was also the City Manager for the City of South Pasadena from 1991 to 1996 and the Assistant City Manager for the City of Downey from 1988 to 1991.
Farfsing came to the city at a tumultuous time, in which the city had fired three previous City Managers in just two years prior to Farfsing’s hiring.
Now the city will conduct a search for the next City Manager. In a listing with CPS HR Consulting the city notes “The ideal candidate will be a visionary, strategic and high-energy leader.”
The current City Manager annual salary is $240,000 a year, plus a $500 monthly car allowance and various retirement, health and insurance benefits. The city is advertising the compensation for Farfsing’s replacement as “Depending on Qualifications.”
Among the qualifications the city is pursuing: a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, or related subject and a minimum of ten years of administrative and executive experience in public sector employment is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
Applications are due Sept. 21.
So What Exactly Does the City Manager Do?
Carson operates as a “council-manager” form of government, similar to the vast majority of cities in California and across the United States.
In this structure, the City Manager is essentially the Chief Executive Officer of the city, responsible for planning, directing, and managing all activities and operations of the City of Carson, ensuring that all public services are delivered in an efficient and effective manner.
The City Manager is appointed by the city council and manages the day-to-day operations of the city, including supervision of city staff across many departments.
They also play a key role in developing the city’s budget and advancing the city council’s policy priorities.