H-1B Visa City Manager Jobs
City Manager jobs with H-1B visa sponsorship are available at municipalities, counties, and regional authorities that require a master's degree in public administration, urban planning, or a related field, satisfying the specialty occupation standard. Employers file a certified LCA and I-129 petition before you start, covering an initial three-year status period.
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ABOUT THIS POSITION
The City of Phoenix seeks a knowledgeable and collaborative leader to fill the position of Deputy City Manager. This executive-level position works under the general direction of the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager(s) and is assigned to lead departments and their management teams toward the achievement of their organizational objectives and the objectives of the city as a whole. Assigned departments are rotated from time to time among several Deputies, so the successful candidates must be capable of providing direction in a variety of municipal services and programs.
The Deputy City Manager consults with and advises the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager(s) about community and program needs, works closely with the City Council, prepares and presents programs for approval by the City Manager and City Council, works as a member of the City Manager’s executive team to ensure effective and seamless delivery of City programs and services, oversees the implementation of complex projects, and coordinates the development of the annual budget for assigned departments and functions. Deputy City Managers meet and correspond with various residents, professionals, businesses, governmental agencies, and other groups to resolve complex issues and problems, to respond to questions and requests, and to secure their input and support in carrying out various programs.
This is a non-classified position and is not covered under the Civil Service rules.
This recruitment may be used to fill other vacancies across the City of Phoenix.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate should be able to effectively communicate with the City Council, the public and all levels of the organization; excellent oral, written, presentation and listening skills will be essential. This person needs to be an innovative leader with the ability to solve problems, think strategically, identify alternative courses of action and provide recommendations. The ideal candidate should be thoughtful, effective and responsive with an ability to identify community and organizational needs through an equity lens. Analytical skills and the ability to effectively use data to make decisions and relay information are essential, including the ability to communicate complex data in understandable terms.
The ideal candidate should have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to build strong relationships with the City Council and across the organization. This person should be able to create a positive atmosphere for employees in the organization and must adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards, display transparency, and commit to PHXRespect.
SALARY
Hiring and Pay Range: $256,796.80 to $351,755 annually.
Pay Range Explanation:
- Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
- Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
- The City contributes 9% of salary into 457/401(a) plans with no matching required. $6,000/annual car allowance and $1,440/annual cell phone allowance.
BENEFITS
A comprehensive Executive benefits package is offered which includes:
- Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, for more details: Pension Information
- 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
- Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
- Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
- Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
- Dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Employer paid long-term disability
- Free Bus/light rail pass
- Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
- Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
- Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ten years of experience in municipal management positions with authority for program direction and budget administration, or coordination and supervision of such functions.
- Master's degree in public or business administration, engineering or a related field.
- Other combinations of experience and education which meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
- All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
- Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:
- Experience managing and/or advising on broad organizational programs and services in a large urban environment.
- Experience working with elected officials to implement programs and policy.
- Experience leading organizational innovation and change.
- Experience working effectively with a diverse community to anticipate and resolve problems.
- Experience developing diverse management teams and leading them to accomplish ambitious goals.
- Experience evaluating the effectiveness of programs and service delivery in meeting the needs of all customers.
Only the highest qualified applicants will be considered.
RECRUITMENT DATES
Recruitment closes November 23, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.
This recruitment and any interview process as a result of this recruitment may be used by multiple hiring managers and multiple departments throughout the City to fill any related current or future vacancies; other recruitments and appropriate eligible lists may also be considered.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
- Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
If you are in need of computer resources, for free options.
Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance, for more information.
Explore other Employment Opportunities with the City of Phoenix.
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If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
REFERENCE
Deputy City Manager (NC), JC:06080, ID# 63499, 11/06/2026, USM, MA, Benefits: Executive
Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.
DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork
City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a City Manager
Frame your credentials around specialty occupation
City Manager roles qualify as specialty occupations when tied to a master's degree in public administration, urban planning, or public policy. Document your degree field and coursework explicitly in your resume so the employer's LCA and I-129 petition align with USCIS specialty occupation requirements from the start.
Look up prevailing wages before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to find the wage level your employer must certify for your worksite's county and job title. Knowing the prevailing wage floor before salary conversations prevents your offer from being structured below the LCA-certified wage, which would delay the DOL certification process.
Target government employers with prior H-1B history
Municipal and county governments sponsor H-1B visas less frequently than private employers, so targeting jurisdictions with prior filing history matters. Search Migrate Mate to identify public-sector employers who have certified LCAs for City Manager or related government administration roles in your preferred region.
Clarify the LCA worksite before accepting an offer
Each physical worksite requires its own certified LCA. If your City Manager role involves overseeing operations across multiple locations or administrative buildings, confirm with the employer which address appears on the LCA before signing, since an unlisted worksite can trigger a compliance violation after you start.
Verify your O*NET classification supports the petition
City Manager maps to a specific Standard Occupational Classification code in O*NET, which USCIS uses to evaluate specialty occupation status. Confirm your employer's HR team is using the correct SOC code on the I-129 petition, not a broader or less specific administrative classification that could invite a Request for Evidence.
Understand the timing gap between offer and start date
H-1B status is granted for up to three years and requires USCIS to approve the I-129 before you can begin work. Build at least 60 to 90 days into your expected start date to allow for LCA certification at DOL and standard I-129 adjudication, unless your employer opts for premium processing.
H-1B Visa City Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a City Manager role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, City Manager positions typically qualify when the employer requires at least a bachelor's degree, and more commonly a master's degree, in public administration, urban planning, or a directly related field. The specialty occupation standard is met when the theoretical and practical application of that specific discipline is a normal requirement for entry into the position, which most municipal governments can demonstrate through their job postings and hiring history.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for City Manager jobs?
Municipal governments, county administrations, regional planning authorities, and quasi-governmental organizations are the most common sponsors. Some city management consulting firms and public-private partnership entities also sponsor. Because public-sector H-1B sponsorship is less common than in tech or finance, finding employers with prior filing history is the most efficient approach. Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA filing history for government administration roles so you can focus your applications on proven sponsors.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new city government employer mid-status?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to begin working for a new sponsoring employer once they file a new I-129 petition, without waiting for approval, as long as your previous status was lawful and the petition is non-frivolous. The new employer must file a fresh I-129 and a separately certified LCA for the new worksite location, even if the jurisdiction is nearby or the role is nearly identical to your previous position.
How long does H-1B sponsorship last for a City Manager position?
USCIS grants H-1B status for an initial period of up to three years, which your employer can extend for another three years, reaching a six-year maximum. Extensions beyond six years are possible only if your employer has initiated a permanent residence process, such as PERM labor certification, at least 365 days before your six-year limit and the case remains pending.
What documents should I prepare before asking an employer to sponsor my H-1B?
Gather your academic credentials, particularly your master's degree transcript and diploma showing your field of study, along with any professional certifications relevant to public administration. A credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization helps if your degree was earned outside the U.S. You should also prepare a detailed description of your job duties that maps to the specialty occupation definition, since employers and their attorneys will use this when drafting the I-129 and LCA.