Summary
Job Description
This position is responsible for professional and administrative work assisting the City Manager with a variety of assignments relating to the planning, direction, control, and evaluation of the operations and programs of city government. Performs professional level management, leadership, budget, research, special projects and administrative functions for the city. Performs complex and difficult work assisting the City Manager in a variety of assignments relating to budget, research, special projects and administrative functions for the city; serves in the absence of the City Manager, does related work as required. Work is performed under the general supervision of the City Manager. Supervision is exercised over assigned subordinate personnel.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the needs of the organization.
- Assists the City Manager in the daily operations of City departments; acts in the absence of the City Manager; provides technical guidance to the Manager and the Council
- Provides direction, leadership, supervision and guidance to department heads and assigned staff.
- Communicates information to/between city departments regarding City Manager directives, City Council actions; and city projects and initiatives.
- Manages capital improvements projects for the City involving significant scope and expense for a variety of facilities and services.
- Interprets, explains, and answers questions on City ordinances and policies for the public, news media, and City Staff; performs or coordinates sensitive public relations projects.
- Serves as the American with Disabilities Act Coordinator.
- Responds to a wide variety of citizen issues and requests; conducts research as necessary and engages in problem-solving.
- Responds to and/or follows up on inquiries and complaints received by the City Mangers office from public and from City Council
- Responds to customers, the press, the public, civic groups and elected officials to resolve concerns and problems and answer questions.
- Assists the City Manager in developing agenda items, background materials and presentations for the council.
- Develops and administers various grants.
- Researches and drafts policies for consideration and implementation by the City Manager and the City Council.
- Responsible for strategic planning with emphasis on economic development initiatives and downtown revitalization.
- Special projects focused on revenue growth and operational efficiency.
- Lead and coordinate business development including recruitment, retention and expansion.
- Create initiatives that encourage private partners to attract new economic opportunities with emphasis on mixed use development.
- Build strong working relationship across public and private sectors.
- Performs related tasks as assigned.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university with a degree in public administration, business administration, economics or related field or four (4) or more years of progressive experience in managing a municipal government as an Assistant City Manager or Senior Executive; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in the private sector beneficial with emphasis on revitalizing downtown or mixed-use commercial districts. Strong background in media relations.
Special Requirements
- Valid N.C. driver's license and acceptable driving record.
- Must live in City limits.
Preferred Requirements
- Master’s Degree in a related field
- Professional certification from the International City Management Association (ICMA) or other leading professional certification bodies
- Completion of the Municipal/County Administration Course from the School of Government, UNC Chapel Hill
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge Of
- Operations, services and activities of a municipality.
- Advanced principles and practices of public administration and local government administration.
- Principles and practices of policy and program development, implementation and administration.
- Government, council, local and state legislative processes.
- Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of City programs, policies and operational needs.
- Principles and practices of fiscal and strategic planning.
- Methods of analyzing, evaluating and modifying administrative procedures.
- Principles and practices of municipal finance, budget preparation and administration.
- Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
Ability To
- Plan, integrate and direct a broad range of complex municipal services and programs
- Define complex public policy, management and operational issues
- Perform complex analyses and research, evaluate alternatives and develop sound conclusions and recommendations; present proposals and recommendations clearly and logically in public meetings
- Interpret, explain and apply city, state and federal laws and regulations governing the conduct of City operations
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Council, all levels of City management, other governmental officials, community and civic organizations, employee organizations, employees, the media and the public.
- Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with highly sensitive political, public policy, community and employee issues and situations.
- Develop and administer City-wide goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and internal controls.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
- Respond to inquiries or complaints and explain regulations and procedures to the general public, members of the business community and representatives of other agencies and organizations.
- Effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Physical Requirements
Most work is performed in an office setting. Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, feeling, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. Must have visual acuity to perform tasks requiring color and depth perception, and field of vision sufficient to perform tasks associated with the preparation and analysis of figures and data, operation of a computer, extensive reading and writing and operation of a motor vehicle. Vocal communication required for expressing or exchanging ideas. Hearing is required to listen and comprehend the spoken word from others.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office with a controlled environment without exposure to harmful conditions. Position may include travel to facilities, working after hours and on weekends.
Health, Dental And Vision Insurance
The City of Washington provides,
at no cost, employee only coverage for Medical (High-Deductible with H.S.A), Vision and Dental insurance. Coverage is available for all regular status full-time employees scheduled to work 40 hours. Employees may also choose to cover eligible dependents. Benefits begin on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of employment.
Paid Life Insurance
The City provides $15,000 of term life insurance and $15,000 of accident death insurance to all full-time employees at no cost. Employees may elect additional coverage, including dependent coverage, at their own cost.
Employer Paid Leave
Paid Vacation: Full-Time employees earn 8 hours of vacation leave per month. Leave accruals increase based on the number of years of City service.
(Ex: at 5 years increases to 10 hours per month)
Paid Holidays: The City of Washington observes 13 paid holidays per calendar year. The approved holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, 2 days at Thanksgiving and 3 days at Christmas.
Sick: Full-Time employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month (Fire Personnel earn 14.15 hours). Sick leave hours accumulate without limits and may be used toward credible service upon retirement from the NC Local Government Retirement System.
Retirement
The City assists our employees in securing their financial future during retirement by participating in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, administered by the State of North Carolina. Regular status employees, scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week, become members in the retirement system upon employment. As a member of this system, employees are required to contribute 6 percent of their gross salary on a tax-deferred basis.
Deferred Compensation Plans
To further assist employees in saving for retirement, the City offers two supplemental retirement savings programs. These programs offer employees an opportunity to save a portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis to supplement their retirement benefit. The programs offered are 401(k) Supplemental Retirement Income Plan and the 457 Plan through Prudential.
Cafeteria Plan / Supplemental Benefits
Realizing that each employee may have different insurance needs, the City offers its employees the opportunity to supplement City-provided benefits by selecting from the benefits listed below. These benefits are offered at employee's expense through payroll deduction:
- Supplemental Term Life Insurance
- Cancer Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Whole Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (Pre-tax basis)
Death Benefit
After one year as a contributing member of the Retirement System, a death benefit is provided that is equal to the highest 12 months' salary in a row during the 24 months before death, no less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. There is no cost to the employee for these benefits.
Pay Periods/Direct Deposit
City employees are paid bi-weekly, every other Friday through direct deposit.
Full benefit details may be viewed here: https://mymarkiii.com/cityofwashingtonnc/booklet
