Often in life there comes a time when one steps out of their comfort zone to try something new. Rachel Murdoch will soon be taking that step

Murdoch, the longtime Sedona Parks and Recreation manager, gave notice on Monday, Aug. 5, but agreed to stay on until the end of September to help with the transition of finding her replacement. In fact, she will be part of the hiring panel.

“I had to think it over for a while because I have so much history here,” she said of her decision. “I’m very comfortable here. Any time you know a job really well you become comfortable. I had to decide if this choice was going to be a good one for my family.

“I’m just ready to do something different. The idea of running an office is exciting, new and will challenge me in different ways and take me out of my comfort zone. I’m confident with my decision and excited about the change, but it still makes me sad when I talk about leaving.”

She will be the practice manager for Red Rock Dental in Sedona. The newly created position will be responsible for the front office as well as everything behind the scenes such as insurance alternatives, marketing, patient experience and overseeing the staff.

Word of her departure spread throughout city hall over the course of about two days. After that she began getting calls and emails from colleagues saying they’re sorry to see her go.

“It’s been really nice and actually a little sad,” she said. “They’ve said how much they appreciated working with you and how much they appreciated my positive attitude. They said I made meetings more fun and that they trusted the product I was putting out. Just really nice things.”

City Manager Justin Clifton said Murdoch has brought tremendous passion and ingenuity to the Parks and Recreation Department.

“She has continuously innovated and found new ways to serve the community,” he said. “She’s also been a great team member who can be counted on to work hard and she has always engaged in whatever assignment has been given to her. Without a doubt she will be very difficult to replace.” 

Assistant City Manager Karen Osburn echoed Clifton’s thoughts.

“Rachel has been a valuable, fun, quirky, smart, hard-working and dedicated member of our team for close to 12 years,” she said. “Her contributions are innumerable and her creativity unparalleled.

“She will be greatly missed and impossible to replace. Although my selfish side would love to see her stay, I also recognize that while public service can be rewarding, it can also be thankless, and that this is the right move for her right now. She will always have my support, respect and admiration.”

Murdoch joined the city staff nearly 12 years ago, starting as the recreation and aquatics manager and then being promoted to department head four years later. During that time, numerous programs have been created under her watch, which is something she’s very proud of.

“I have grown so much as a person during my time here with the city,” she said. “Plus, I have had so much freedom here to start new things from scratch. Plus, a lot of what I have learned over the years has been on-the-job training. All I had early on was initiative and a super positive attitude.”

She said she will miss her staff and city colleagues as well as the freedom to try new programs and events. But there is something else she will miss a great deal.

“I will miss riding in the golf cart — and that’s no joke,” she said, laughing. “My staff here knows I thoroughly enjoy riding in the golf cart at different events. It’s really fun.” And while most of her job has been fun and challenging, there are parts that were not always easy.

“It’s hard when people attack you personally because they’re not happy with something,” Murdoch said. “It’s challenging because of the multifaceted aspect of this job. Obviously there are more good days than bad, but I will not miss when people attack me personally, especially when my intention has always been to do what’s best for this community.”

Recreation Coordinator Ali Baxter has worked side-by-side with Murdoch since 2010 and said she will be missed.

“She has been a part of all of my major adult life events: graduating college, getting engaged, getting married, buying a home and having my babies,” she said. “While Rachel will be leaving her position as my supervisor, she will not be leaving me behind as a friend.”