Howard is a small rural community in eastern South Dakota with approximately 900 residents, an aldermanic form of government including 6 City Council member and the Mayor. Its annual operating budget is approximately $1,538,139 with $3,594,905 Budget of 5 Enterprise Funds.

Role Description The City of Howard, South Dakota is seeking an experienced, hands-on City Administrator who will carry out the City Council's decisions and oversee all city employees. The City Administrator executes policies, budget development and management, economic development, and supervises personnel.

This role oversees daily city operations—including streets and parks, water and sewer, electrical utilities, seasonal recreation and office staff. The ideal candidate will build strong working relationships, promote accountability, and coordinate with department heads toward shared priorities while supporting a rural community environment. A critical dimension of this role is financial leadership: the City Administrator must be capable of managing the annual budget while simultaneously developing and maintaining long-range capital and infrastructure financing strategies that align with the City’s debt capacity and revenue outlook over 5, 10, 15, and 20-year horizons.

Qualifications

Strong foundation in public administration, public policy, or a related field, with the ability to navigate municipal processes and regulations.
Experience or demonstrated interest in economic development, including community planning, business attraction, and sustainable growth strategies.
Knowledge of finance and budgeting, with the ability to prepare, track, and manage budgets and financial reports responsibly.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly to diverse audiences and facilitate meetings.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with local officials, internal teams, and community member while demonstrating professionalism and respect.
Master's or Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Urban Planning, or a related discipline preferred; relevant experience in municipal government is highly valued.
Comfort working on-site in Howard, SD, with a commitment to community engagement and responsiveness to local needs.

For more information and to apply contact Dave Evertsen at:

https://media.base44.com/files/public/69efcacb8090022a86a85144/67cc76e9d_HowardSD_CityAdministrator-

City of Howard, SD jobs

City Administrator