Mattoon, IL (16,666) – The City of Mattoon, Illinois is seeking an approachable, trustworthy, organized, and fair local government leader that is gifted in leadership, municipal finance, budgeting, strategic planning, capital planning, contract management, and labor relations to become its first City Manager in a newly organized statutory City Manager Form of Government. The City Council wants the City Manager to be a leader who is outgoing and people oriented but is also task driven.

Mattoon is strategically located along Interstate I-57 in Coles County, Illinois. Mattoon is a micropolitan city center in central Illinois known for its strong industrial, commercial, and healthcare presence. Mattoon is a hub for transportation in the region boasting the presence of US Highway 45, Illinois Rt. 16, and Illinois Rt. 121 along with a strong commercial and passenger rail presence and the Coles County Regional Airport. Mattoon offers excellent recreational opportunities with the presence of the recently built Emerald Acres indoors sports facility, Lake Mattoon, Lake Paradise, multiple youth athletic fields, and tremendous walking paths. Mattoon is two hours east of St. Louis, Missouri, two hours and thirty minutes west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and three hours south of Chicago, Illinois. Given its economically advantageous location Mattoon is experiencing significant growth.

Mattoon is home to several diverse large employers that contribute to the economic stability of the city and to the quality of life in the community. Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Lake Land College, Bimbo Bakeries, Ameren CIPS, Justrite Manufacturing, Mars Petcare, and Mattoon Precision. Mattoon is also the corporate headquarters for Consolidated Communications, First Mid Bank and Trust, and Rural King.

The City of Mattoon recently adopted the statutory City Manager Form of Government by local referendum where the City Manager is appointed by the Mayor and the City Council that is comprised of five council members. The City Manager is required to reside in the Mattoon Community School District #2 within 6 months of hire.

The City Manager is directly responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the city and for the effective administration of each department. The City Manager oversees the following departments: Administration, Community Development, Finance, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works, and Tourism. The City Manager is responsible for 135 full-time and 34 part-time/seasonal employees. The City Manager will manage a total budget of approximately $34,000,000.

Other essential duties of the City Manager include:

Supervise and/or perform research activities and provide policy recommendations.
Supervise daily operations across all city departments.
Assists Department Directors with program implementation and administration.
Keeps the Mayor and City Council advised on the financial condition of the city.
Oversee the city’s investment program.
Execute policies and directives established by the City Council.
Partner and coordinate with the Mayor in performing public relations functions for the city.
Collaborate with the City Council to set long-term objectives and strategies for the city’s growth and development.
Attend all City Council meetings with the right to participate in the discussions but have no right to vote.
Prepare and deliver oral and/or written reports as requested.
Receive citizens’ complaints and/or inquiries and attend to their disposition.
Coordinate with the Mayor in your service as a liaison with various federal, state, and local agencies including the media.
Oversee the human resources functions of the city and personnel actions, including staffing, hiring, promotions, demotions, salary increases, suspensions, dismissal, etc. in line with budget objectives.
Appoints and removes all city department directors.
Attend meetings at irregular hours and days.
Perform related work as outlined within 65 ILCS 5/5-3-7 as amended.
Participate in related community boards, committees, and activities.
Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution of the City Council.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, political science, engineering, law, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
Seven to ten years of organizational management experience, preferably in a local government setting.
A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to those mentioned above will be considered.

Ideal candidates will possess:

Strong financial management and budgeting skills.
The ability to build and maintain trust with the council, team, and the community.
Great communication skills and the ability to routinely follow-up and resolve citizen concerns.
The ability to educate the City Council and assist the organization through this change in governance.

Compensation and Benefits:

The beginning salary range is between $145,000 and $165,000 and will depend upon education and previous experience. This is a full-time, exempt position, serving at the pleasure of the Mayor and City Council. Benefits are highly competitive, and they include the following:

City paid professional training and membership dues.
City issued laptop.
Mobile phone monthly $100.00 stipend.
IMRF Retirement Plan.
An individual or family Health plan.
Paid holidays: 13.
Paid sick leave: 10 days on date of hire.
Paid vacation leave: 3 weeks on date of hire.
Severance: 3 months.
Relocation assistance if the candidate locates within the City of Mattoon.

City of Mattoon, Illinois - City Manager Brochure

Please electronically submit a cover letter, resume, and five professional references to james@arndtmunicipalsupport.com. Confidential inquiries should be directed to James W. Arndt, President and CEO of Arndt Municipal Support, Inc. at 217-500-0770. The City of Mattoon, IL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The first review of resumes will begin on February 21, 2025. Application Deadline: March 6, 2025.

City Administration jobs

City Manager - City of Mattoon, IL