
Rebecca Bjork, the interim community development director in Santa Barbara, has been promoted to assistant city administrator.
Rebecca Bjork has been named the assistant city administrator in Santa Barbara.
Ms. Bjork has served as the interim community development director and will continue in that position until a permanent department director is appointed. She will begin her new role Jan. 30.
As assistant city administrator, Ms. Bjork will provide policy guidance to the Santa Barbara City Council and oversee several departments. She will also serve as the acting city administrator in the absence of City Administrator Paul Casey.
Ms. Bjork has worked with the city of Santa Barbara for 32 years and most recently served as the public works director, overseeing the largest city department for more than five years with nearly 300 employees and a budget totaling $138 million. Ms. Bjork directed staff and guided the city’s response during the most recent multi-year drought.
From 2007 to 2014, she served as the city’s water resources manager with responsibility for water and wastewater utilities, which included the operation and maintenance of the Cater Water Treatment Plant and the El Estero Wastewater Treatment Plant. She oversaw the introduction of ozonation at the water treatment plant to improve the quality and taste of drinking water.
— Gerry Fall