Rossmoor Seeks New General Manager

Rossmoor is looking for some new leadership.

After six years at the helm of the Rossmoor Community Services District, General Manager Henry Taboada announced plans Wednesday to step into a part-time consultant role until his replacement can settle into position. Responsible for overseeing trash pickup, street sweeping and parks and recreation in Rossmoor, the district also serves as the community’s de facto City Hall, where residents often air grievances and look for leadership on larger political issues. In Rossmoor, the major issue over the last decade has centered on annexation, cityhood or maintaining the community’s status as an unincorporated county island.

“I am an old- guy 72-years-old,” Taboada said Wednesday. “I have been here for six years.”

While Taboada plans to step into a part-time consultant role, he will stay to help the new general manager get acquainted with Rossmoor, politics and interactions with the county and the Local Agency Formation Commission, he added.

“The Rossmoor Community Services District is in the process of reorganizing its management of the District. As part of its succession planning, a decision was reached by the Board at a previous meeting to make a transition from HTGroup, an independent contractor, to an employee General Manager. Part of the reasoning was that state law now prohibits the use of an independent contractor in a position which should be filled by an employee,” Taboada explained in a written release.

The ideal candidate for the position is someone who has experience with city management, said Taboada. Because the position does not affect retirement for public employees, it’s ideal for retired city managers, he added.

The new general manager will have to be ready to work with the county and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on the effort to transfer police powers over to the district, following an opinion issued by California Attorney General supporting Rossmoor’s right to take on authority over local policing. The general manager will also have to guard against efforts by county officials to see the community’s Rossmoor shopping Village annexed into Los Alamitos, said Taboada.

“The ideal candidate would be a retired city manager who doesn’t mind rolling up their sleeves,” said Taboada. “Coming from a big city (Long Beach) I was used to having all kinds of support staff to do everything I needed doing. It’s a challenge getting used to emptying the trashcan and everything that goes with a small agency, but I’ve really liked it.”

The Rossmoor Community Services District posted the following job announcement:

GENERAL MANAGER-20 Hours per Week

Under general direction, of the Board of Directors, the General Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of Rossmoor Community Services District. The General Manager is responsible for the efficient administration and management of all District employees, activities and properties. He/she also serves as Secretary to the Board and CFO to the Public Improvement Finance Corporation.

The District is seeking a seasoned executive who has recent experience as a local government manager and possesses a wide breadth of experience in working with cities, counties, community groups and other units of government. Specific experience in public finance, budgeting, information technology, capital improvements, facility maintenance, parks, recreation and urban forest management is highly desirable. Knowledge of special district governance is preferable, but not required. The position will likely develop into full-time employment once a planned reorganization is fully implemented.

Desired qualifications include graduation from an accredited institution with a degree in political science, public administration or a related field. A masters degree is preferable.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter, citing the reasons you are qualified for this position, to Mr. Henry Taboada, Consulting General Manager at 3001 Blume Dr., Rossmoor, CA 90720. A list of three references should be included.

Highly qualified applicants will be interviewed and a selection will be made by the Board of Directors. The full job description, including salary and benefits, is available at www.rossmoor-csd.org. The District is a non-PERS agency. Resumes may be faxed to 562.431.3710, e-mailed to ldeering@rossmoor-csd.org or hand delivered to the above address. The District is an equal opportunity employer. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.