City Manager - Kingfisher
Listing Title:
City Manager: Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Listing Description
The City of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, is currently soliciting resumes for the position of City Manager. Kingfisher operates under a charter and functions as a council-manager form of government, while managing a combined municipal budget of approximately $27.9 million annually. The City Commission is composed of four Commissioners and a Mayor. Terms for the four Commissioners are staggered, in that every year one of the four seats is up for election (with two seats open this year, due to an unexpected vacancy). Commissioners’ terms are limited to two consecutive terms in office. The Mayor serves a four-year term. The City Commission sets policy for the City, approves the annual budget, and enacts legislation to provide for the safety and welfare of the City. The elected governing board members of the City Commission also serve as the Trustees of the Kingfisher Public Works Authority, Kingfisher Special Projects Authority, and Kingfisher Recreation Authority.
The area that is now known as Kingfisher was opened for settlement by the federal government during the land run. Settlers in the Kingfisher area formed two communities: Kingfisher City, on the north side of the settlement and Lisbon, on the south side. The two merged on June 14, 1890, and the town has kept the name Kingfisher ever since. The City is also situated on part of the Chisholm Trail, over which millions of Texas longhorns were driven to railheads in Kansas in the years immediately following the Civil War.
In present day, Kingfisher is located as the county seat of Kingfisher County, Oklahoma. The population was 4,903 at the time of the 2020 census and is the former home and namesake of Kingfisher College. The City is roughly 4 square miles, and is situated between Oklahoma City, Enid and El Reno, making Kingfisher a distinctive community serving as the gateway to northwest Oklahoma City from the OKC-metro area. The Kingfisher School District is a highly rated public school with approximately 1,306 students in grades PK-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1, according to www.niche.com.
The City Sales Tax rate is 3.5% with 2% for the general fund, 1% for the hospital construction bond through 2035, and 0.5% (for 10 years) dedicated for a new fire/EMS station and street improvements.
Overall, the City has a strong supportive community that values historical pride while always moving forward with growth and development.
Kingfisher is a full-service municipal corporation that provides water, wastewater, electric distribution and generation, library, police, fire/EMS, indoor aquatic center, leased golf course, the only hard surface runway airport in Kingfisher County, outsourced sanitation with OEMA, and parks and recreation services to the citizens of Kingfisher.
The selected candidate will perform responsible management, administrative, and professional duties as the chief executive officer of the City. The employee is expected to exercise a high degree of independence, initiative, and professional expertise in administration and day-to-day management of the City in accordance with policies established by the City Commission, State Statutes, and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines. As the City Manager, the candidate will have overall responsibility for all City departments. They will also provide administrative oversight of the Commission appointed positions. The City Manager shall provide a vision, innovative leadership, supervision, and general directions for the City management teams, including department heads, to coordinate their efforts toward achieving their departmental objectives.
The City Manager does not need to be a resident of the City or state at the time of appointment, but shall reside in the City within one year of appointment.
The City Commissioners, by a majority vote of their total membership, shall appoint a City Manager for an indefinite term and shall be appointed solely on the basis of education and experience in the accepted competencies and practices of local government management. The minimum qualifications are:
•A Master's Degree is preferred, with a concentration in public
administration or related discipline, and two years of experience
in an appointed managerial or administrative position; or
•A Bachelor's Degree and five years of management experience; and,
•Adoption and compliance with the ICMA Code of Ethics.
The City of Kingfisher is offering a competitive salary range, from $110,000 to $125,000 annually, depending upon qualifications and experience. The City's benefits package also includes medical, dental, life insurance with vacation and sick leave along with an Employee Assistance Program.
The City participates in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) with a 7.5% employee contribution and 12.5% employer match; employees are vested after eight years. It should be noted that an OkMRF CMO Plan, Mission Square and other similar retirement plans may be considered for negotiations with the selected candidate.
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, five work-related references and salary history to OMMS, Kingfisher City Manager Executive Search, 7633 East 63rd Place, Suite 507, Tulsa, OK 74133, or by email to recruiter@okmms.org, no later than July 15, 2026.
The City of Kingfisher provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard of race, color, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or sexual orientation or any other terms, conditions or privileges of employment with applicable Federal and State laws to include Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(Job) Location:
Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Website Address (please do not delete the http://):
//https://www.okmms.org/jobs
Contact Information -
Company/Municipality Name:
OMMS
Street Address
7633 East 63rd Place, Suite 507
City
Tulsa
State
Oklahoma
Zip Code
74133
Phone Number
9187438018
Contact Job Title:
Executive Director
First Name
Steve
Last Name
Whitlock
Email Address
executivedirector@okmms.org
Listing Expiration Date:
07/15/2026