After six months of steady interim leadership, Chris Escobedo has officially been named the new city manager of Palm Desert, following a unanimous vote by the City Council during its September 11 meeting.
Escobedo, 42, stepped into the interim role in March after the departure of former city manager Todd Hileman, who left to lead the City of South Pasadena. Previously serving as Palm Desert’s assistant city manager since 2022, Escobedo has more than two decades of experience in local government, including a leadership role in community resources for the City of La Quinta.
The council’s decision to promote Escobedo without conducting an external candidate search was driven by confidence in his performance and extensive knowledge of the city’s ongoing initiatives. Under his new contract, Escobedo will earn a $285,000 annual salary, along with a $600 monthly car allowance and full healthcare and pension benefits.
Mayor Jan Harnik praised Escobedo’s approach during council deliberations:
“During every difficult meeting we may have had and every easy meeting we had, there was always a lot of thought and listening to understand…which is a great strength…and I know Palm Desert will benefit from his leadership.”
A Key Vacancy to Fill
One of Escobedo’s first major challenges as permanent city manager will be hiring a new Economic Development Manager, a pivotal position following the recent departure of Eric Ceja, who served the city for 11 years before accepting the same role in Indian Wells.
The vacancy comes at a critical moment for Palm Desert, with several high-profile projects in motion, including expansive housing development and public safety service upgrades in the city’s North Sphere, continued efforts to grow the scope and value of the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, tourism and hospitality sector developments and the long-awaited mall redevelopment. The incoming economic development leader will play a central role in shaping the city’s economic future.
According to the city’s recruitment materials, the ideal candidate will bring at least six years of progressive experience in economic or community development, including three in a leadership capacity. A Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, public administration, or a related field is required, and a Master’s degree or professional certification is highly desirable.
The position offers a salary range of $125,590 to $172,328, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes CalPERS retirement, a 2% City match to a 401(a) plan, and up to $5,000 in relocation assistance.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through Mosaic Public Partners at www.mosaicpublic.com/careers, with recruitment expected to close once a strong candidate pool is established.
Chris Escobedo’s Vision
Escobedo, a UC Berkeley graduate with a master’s in public administration from CSU San Bernardino, resides in the Coachella Valley with his wife and two daughters. Since joining Palm Desert, he’s been focused on building a high-performance culture within City Hall and accelerating key strategic initiatives.
“I’m honored by the council’s trust,” Escobedo said in a statement. “Palm Desert is on the move, and I look forward to working with our community and staff to build on that momentum.”
As Palm Desert continues to evolve as a hub for tourism, innovation, and high-end development, Escobedo’s leadership and his next key hire will help define the city’s path for years to come.
