The City of Albuquerque is moving forward with its transition process following Mayor Tim Keller’s reelection. The administration is focusing on filling open positions and making key appointments to maintain stability for the upcoming term.
Recruitment efforts for high-level management roles are ongoing both locally and nationally. The third-term administration aims to promote a new generation of leaders who prioritize public service, innovation, equity, and safety.
“We are all deeply grateful to the people who choose to serve our community and show up for Albuquerque every day,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “As we move through a period of transition, we’re focused on lifting up the next wave of leaders who are ready to carry this work forward so our neighborhoods feel secure, and Albuquerque continues to move ahead. The future of City leadership is already taking shape.”
Mayor Keller has re-nominated Samantha Sengel as Chief Administrative Officer. Following the retirement of the Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department, Cecily Barker has been appointed as Interim Chief for APD. Emily Jaramillo has been re-nominated as Chief of Albuquerque Fire and Rescue. Lauren Keefe will serve as Interim City Attorney, and Ethan Watson will take on the role of interim City Clerk, in accordance with city charter requirements before the new year.
The city is also recruiting for various other positions across departments such as Health, Housing and Homelessness, Animal Welfare, Transit, Municipal Development, and Finance (CFO). Opportunities can be found on the city’s employment portal.
Vacancies remain on several Boards and Commissions. Residents interested in serving can apply to any of the 58 boards that provide advice to city officials on topics including arts, environment, planning, public safety, libraries, among others. Applications are available online.
For those seeking volunteer opportunities within municipal programs or advisory boards like One Albuquerque Volunteer Advisory Board, information is accessible at OneAbqVolunteers.com.
The City of Albuquerque operates under a charter system that defines its government structure and responsibilities such as setting goals and approving budgets; these duties are managed by an elected council representing nine geographic districts in New Mexico (official website). Council members elect leadership annually (official council history), and policy decisions reflect long-standing traditions since its founding in 1706 (city’s historical timeline). Over time, developments like the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s transformed Albuquerque from a farming village into a transportation hub (city’s rail yards history). Today it remains a central part of New Mexico’s civic landscape.
Albuquerque also supports cultural heritage through sites such as KiMo Theatre—a community landmark since 1927 that features Pueblo Deco architecture (theater’s history page)—and works with organizations like the State of New Mexico for historic preservation projects (arts and culture page).
