After a months-long recruitment, candidate screening, and an extensive interview process, the City has selected Scott Archer to serve as Deputy City Manager, overseeing Salem’s Community Services Department. Effective July 1, 2023, the Community Services Department includes parks and recreation, the Library, Center 50+, youth development, neighborhoods, Salem’s response to sheltering and homelessness, and other community programs and services. With preparations for the new department underway, Mr. Archer is expected to begin serving as Salem’s Deputy City Manager for Community Services on May 22, 2023.
Scott Archer most recently served as City Administrator for the City of Canby, Oregon. Until 2020, Scott was Director of the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District serving 122,000 residents in one of the largest parks and recreation districts in Oregon. Prior to that, Scott was the Community Services Director for Oregon City and the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Medford. Scott received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance/Sport Science and Management from Portland State University and is completing his credential with International City/County Management Association (ICMA-CM).
“Scott is a seasoned professional with decades of experience serving communities across the State of Oregon,” said Mayor Chris Hoy. “Scott is a solid choice for leading Salem’s new Community Services Department. Our community can expect the City to continue its focus on our quality of life through recreation opportunities, parks and open spaces, housing, and livable neighborhoods. ”
“We’re grateful to the community, staff, and the Executive Leadership Team for their input into this process,” said City Manager Keith Stahley. “Scott is the perfect fit to lead our Community Services department, and provide a clear vision for creating synergies within our community to increase the effectiveness of programs and services offered by the City.”
About the Deputy City Manager Position
This new Deputy City Manager role for Community Services will oversee parks and recreation, the Library, Center 50+, youth development, neighborhoods, Salem’s response to sheltering and homelessness, and other programs. This position – and the equivalent Deputy City Manager for Enterprise Services – are not new but are existing positions, re-classified to reflect better the scope of the duties and the service impact to our community.
One Deputy City Manager position was created when the Community Development and Urban Development departments were merged under Kristin Retherford’s leadership. The other was created by re-classifying the Enterprise Services Director position into a Deputy City Manager position for internal support service functions, under Krishna Namburi’s leadership.
The Deputy City Managers report directly to Keith Stahley, Salem’s City Manager.
The Deputy City Manager for Community Services leads a wide variety of community programs and functions that will include the Salem Public Library, Parks and Recreation programs, Center 50+ (senior center), Public Art Commission, Neighborhood Associations, ADA, youth educational programs, homeless response initiatives, etc. Support the City of Salem’s Department of Community Services in its mission to promote community involvement in neighborhood and city affairs that enhances the quality of life for Salem area residents through access to human services, recreation opportunities, housing, parks and open spaces, and livable neighborhoods.
