The City of Trinidad is seeking a driven, ethical, and collaborative leader with the skills to guide the community’s growth and uphold the City Council’s high expectations as their next City Manager.

A distinctive southeastern Colorado community and the seat of Las Animas County, the City of Trinidad is rich in western-frontier history, stunning views of expansive mountain vistas, and abundant tourism attractions. Situated alongside the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains and the Purgatoire River, Trinidad’s origins date back to its early days as a trading post on the historic Santa Fe Trail. The railroad’s arrival and formal municipal incorporation in 1876 led to an economic boom and a flourish of commercial and residential buildings featuring classic red brick Victorian-style architecture.

Trinidad is a home-rule city with a council-manager form of government. Its Mayor and six City Council members are elected at-large on nonpartisan ballots, with the Mayor serving two-year terms and council members serving four-year, staggered terms. Each position has term limits of eight years, meaning a council member may serve two terms (excluding appointments), and a mayor may serve four.

Reporting to the City Council, Trinidad’s City Manager serves as the organization’s chief administrative officer, responsible for coordinating daily administrative activities and operations and advising and assisting the City Council.

Candidates should bring a strong background in municipal management, with knowledge of modern administrative methods, employee and labor relations, human resources, and the latest technological capabilities. A solid understanding of local government regulations and effective public relations will also be essential to maintaining positive relationships with elected and appointed leaders, staff, and residents.

Candidates should have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in government and/or business. A bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in public administration, business, or another applicable field is preferred. The Mayor and City Council are open to considering applicants who do not have local government experience but have managed other types of large, complex organizations.
Please note that the selected candidate will be asked to establish residency within six months.

The City of Trinidad is offering a starting salary range of $145,000 to $160,000 for this position, commensurate with experience and qualifications.