Assistant City Administrator Rebecca Bjork will take over as interim Santa Barbara City Administrator starting Sept. 11.
Paul Casey, who was been City Administrator for about six years, is leaving the job on Sept. 10.
Casey announced he was leaving in mid-July.
“It was a tough year,” Casey, 55, told Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina at the time. “I am ready to move on.”
Casey has worked at the city for 24 years. He was hired as Community Development Director in 2002 and spent years as the city’s top planner before moving to the City Administrator job in 2015.
Bjork has worked at the city for more than 32 years, most recently as Public Works Director and interim Community Development Director.
She was appointed to the city’s No. 2 staff position, assistant city administrator, in January.
The Santa Barbara City Council will start its search and recruitment process, which is expected to take about six months, according to the City Administrator’s Office.
Bjork was water resources manager at the city for seven years, and then worked as Public Works Director for five years, according to the city.
“I am honored to be asked to take on this very important role while the Council searches for the next City Administrator,” Bjork said in a statement. “I will work with our excellent executive team to continue to make improvements to City operations and services.”
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.