San Carlos (pop. 29,403) has a long-standing reputation for stable governance, strong fiscal stewardship, and strategic investment in public infrastructure. City leadership places a high value on community engagement, thoughtful planning, and preserving this San Francisco Peninsula community’s small-town character while embracing innovation and responsible growth. Municipal services are delivered by 104 FTEs and supported by a FY 2025–26 budget of $129.1 million ($69.7 million General Fund), along with a five-year Capital Improvement Program totaling $164 million.
 
The ideal candidate will exhibit a collaborative spirit and forward-looking perspective along with the proven ability to help an organization and community navigate an exciting period of opportunity. The City Council seeks an inclusive leader capable of building trust and working seamlessly with highly engaged stakeholders and partnering effectively across the organization. A visionary professional with demonstrated success in the execution of priorities and a history of achieving notable results is expected. Competitive candidates will possess at least five years of relevant executive-level experience along with a master’s degree.
 
The City is committed to offering competitive compensation. The starting salary is anticipated to be near $350,000 DOQE. Recruitment closes 11:59pm on Sunday, January 25, 2026. For more great reasons to consider the City of Good Living, check out this video https://bit.ly/whysancarlos!