Camarillo appoints former Port Hueneme city manager as administrative services director

Carmen Nichols will be the new Director of Administrative Services for the city of Camarillo.

A former Port Hueneme interim city manager has been hired for a top post in Camarillo.

Carmen Nichols, 45, of Camarillo, who most recently worked as the deputy city manager of Goleta, was appointed the new administrative services director by Camarillo City Manager Dave Norman. 

Nichols' appointment to the position in Camarillo was announced Nov. 30. She succeeds Richard Petropulos, who is retiring at the end of the year.

The director of administrative services will oversee 14 employees and five city departments: library operations, information systems, human resources, fleet maintenance and facilities management.

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Prior to her work in Goleta, Nichols spent 22 years working her way up the ranks of administrative roles in the city of Port Hueneme. Nichols began as a public works technician and later worked as a payroll services specialist, a human resources administrator, an assistant to the city manager, the deputy city manager and finally interim city manager in 2016.

She earned her bachelor's degree in organizational management and her master's degree in public policy and administration while working in Port Hueneme.

After she left Port Hueneme, Nichols filed a claim against the city in October 2017, alleging misconduct by council member Jim Hensley and other employees who she claimed let him and others' treatment against her continue unabated. The case hasn't been resolved.

In a statement, Norman praised Nichols' experience as an asset for hiring her.

“Carmen’s breadth and depth of experience in many areas of municipal practice, including human resources and risk management, organizational development, information technology, community services and engagement, library services and more, will provide the organization with a talented and energetic executive with a diverse palette of experience and interests that reach well beyond her job description,” he said.

Nichols, a resident and homeowner in Camarillo, also shared her excitement for the new position.

“I look forward to working with the City Council, Mr. Norman, the staff and the community on implementing new and enhanced ways to engage and serve the needs of the community,” Nichols said in a statement.

Nichols will receive a salary of $199,000 and a total annual benefits package of $112,178.50.

Petropulos earned an annual salary of $208,896 and received a benefits package worth $121,483.38.

Nichols will take over the director position beginning on Dec. 18.