POSITION SUMMARY:

The City Administrator serves as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the City, responsible for the overall

leadership, coordination, and administration of municipal operations. Under the guidance and supervision of the

elected City Council, the City Administrator ensures the effective implementation of policies, objectives, and

programs while managing day-to-day operations. This role involves overseeing all municipal departments,

ensuring compliance with city ordinances, regulations, and applicable laws, and providing strategic direction to

foster the City’s growth, efficiency, and service delivery to the community. The City Administrator is also

responsible for maintaining effective communication with the City Council, staff, and residents, while ensuring

alignment with the City’s mission, goals, and priorities.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees and enforces the administration of municipal affairs, ensuring compliance with City Council

regulations, resolutions, ordinances, and applicable laws.

• Develops and implements the annual adoption of the City Council’s goals, policies, and work plan

priorities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

• Ensures the City Council receives timely and accurate information to support effective decision-making

processes.

• Provides regular reports and updates on municipal services, projects, and issues to the City Council.

• Supervises the activities of all municipal department heads and personnel, providing leadership in the

administration of municipal policies, with the authority to recommend hiring, transfers, discipline, and

termination actions.

• Continuously monitors the effectiveness of City services and promotes ongoing improvements to service

delivery.

• Attends and actively participates in all City Council meetings and other required board and commission

meetings.

• Advises the City Council on policies and actions necessary to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of

the community, and to enhance the efficiency of municipal government operations.

• Prepares the City’s annual Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for City Council approval and ensures

adherence to the approved financial guidelines, regularly reporting on the financial status of municipal

accounts.

• Develops City Council agendas and provides timely information and recommendations to the City Council.

• Coordinates personnel functions in alignment with City Council policies, negotiates labor contracts for

presentation to the City Council, and establishes compensation guidelines that support the City’s ability to

attract, develop, and retain qualified personnel.

• Represents the City at official functions and maintains positive public relations with the community to

foster a strong connection between the City and its citizens.

• Serves as the City’s purchasing agent, overseeing all procurement activities in accordance with the

approved municipal Budget and financial policies.

• Manages and coordinates municipal programs and activities as directed by the City Council.

• Oversees all consultant and contract work for the City and supervises the activities of the City Attorney to

ensure compliance with City policies and objectives.

• Delivers oral and written presentations, including media interviews for newspapers and cable television,

to effectively communicate City activities and initiatives.

• Stays informed of Federal, State, and County programs and regulations that affect the municipality.

• Collaborates with public and private agency officials as needed and provides leadership on State and

Regional issues impacting the community.

• Performs other responsibilities as required by law or as prescribed by City ordinance or resolutions

adopted by the City Council.

KNOWELDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to quickly acquire a comprehensive understanding of laws and regulations impacting the

municipality.

• Knowledge to plan, develop, and implement municipal projects, analyze data for reporting to the City

Council, and establish efficient operational standards and procedures.

• Knowledge of municipal operations in Public Works, Fire, Police, Parks and Recreation, Engineering,

Utilities, Community Development, Human Resources, and Finance.

• Ability to delegate authority and responsibility effectively while maintaining confidentiality when

required.

• Strong understanding of municipal government operations, including procedural processes, public

relations, finance, purchasing, and other administrative functions critical to the effective operation of a

municipality.

• Ability to oversee all City operations, coordinate the efforts of City personnel, and foster their confidence

and trust.

• Knowledge of management principles and practices in the public sector, including personnel management

and organizational development.

• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and precisely orally and in writing, including presentations.

• Ability to work as part of a team and establish and maintain good and positive working relationships with

the general public, City Council, contractors, businesses, staff, and other government agency personnel,

displaying political agility and discretion.

• Strong sense of initiative with the ability to work independently and provide self-direction to plan and

perform duties with minimal supervision.

• Ability to identify issues and proactively address them to position the City in a positive manner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Studies, or a related field.

• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government.

• Must be able to physically perform all essential duties of the position.

• Valid Driver’s License with a good driving record.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s and/or Graduate degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Studies, or a

related field.

• 10+ years of experience in management capacity in a municipal environment.

• Direct experience in the areas of Community Development, Engineering, Finance, Public Works, Parks and

Recreation, and Police and Fire services.

• Previous experience as a City Administrator/Manager.

• Experience in organizational development, labor relations, strategic and long-range planning, budgets and

capital improvement plans, public infrastructure and public policy, and technology and innovation.

SUPERVISION:

Position is responsible for direct supervision of City Engineer, Community Development Director, Park & Recreation Director, Public Works Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Clerk/Executive Assistant, Sr. Communication Coordinator, and Deputy Admin/Finance Director. This position works independently with little supervision and is responsible for leading the City operations for the organization.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The typical work hours for this position are 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Other hours will be required, as this position is responsible to attend City Council meetings and other meetings as necessary.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environmental and Physical Conditions:

Indoor and outdoor environments; exposure to computer screens; working closely with others; frequent interruptions. Possible exposure to inclement weather conditions, exposure to working with moving objects/vehicles. Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, walking for prolonged periods of time; kneeling, climbing, bending, and stooping, moderate lifting and carrying; general manual dexterity; adequate hearing, vision, and speech required; and must be able to operate assigned equipment and vehicles.

City of Champlin

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