The Assistant to the City Manager is a confidential executive staff position in the City Manager’s Office responsible for coordinating City Manager-directed initiatives, tracking progress on City Commission goals, preparing executive briefings, supporting agenda follow-up, and facilitating communication among departments and external partners. The position serves as a project coordinator, policy analyst, and intergovernmental liaison for assigned matters, including military-community partnerships, regional coordination, and strategic initiatives. The position may coordinate information, track assignments, and manage assigned projects.
The Assistant to the City Manager does not serve as Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Acting City Manager or department head, and does not have routine line authority over personnel, department directors, City Attorney, Municipal Judge, or other authorized officials. Also, all policy, legal, budgetary, personnel, and operational decisions remain with the appropriate elected officials, City Manager, department heads, City Attorney, Municipal Judge, or other authorized officials. The Assistant to the City Manager may represent the City Manager’s Office at meetings as assigned but has no authority to bind the City unless expressly delegated in writing.
Essential Functions
Executive leadership
-
Serves as the principal advisor to the City Manager on strategic initiatives, policy implementation, and organizational priorities.
-
Coordinates and monitors the execution of City Manager-directed projects and initiatives across all municipal departments.
-
Conducts research, prepares recommendations, and develops reports for the City Manager or Deputy City Manager.
-
Coordinates assigned special projects and tracks milestones, risks, responsible departments, and deliverables.
-
Assists in developing long-term strategic plans and organizational performance measures.
-
Represents the City Manager at meetings, conferences, and public events as assigned.
Organizational Coordination
-
Facilitates communication and collaboration among City departments to ensure effective delivery of services.
-
Tracks and reports departmental progress on assigned City Commission goals and City Manager priorities.
-
Coordinates cross-functional initiatives involving multiple departments and external partners.
-
Develops and maintains executive briefings, presentations, agendas, and official correspondence.
-
Analyzes operational issues and recommends process improvements to increase organizational effectiveness.
Government and Intergovernmental Relations
-
Serves as a coordinating point of contact for assigned intergovernmental matters, without displacing designated City officials, department heads, or legal counsel.
-
Builds and maintains productive relationships with elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and regional stakeholders.
-
Coordinates governmental affairs consistent with adopted legislative priorities and direction from the City Manager and governing body.
-
Represent the City in regional committees, task forces, and advisory boards.
Community and Public Relations
-
Represent the City Manager in meetings with community organizations, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and civic groups.
-
Promotes collaborative partnerships that support community development and economic growth.
-
Coordinate public outreach efforts related to City initiatives and strategic priorities.
-
Responds to inquiries and coordinates responses to issues requiring executive-level attention and elevates policy, legal, budgetary, or personnel matters to the appropriate official.
Administrative Management
-
Prepares executive reports, policy memoranda, briefing materials, and presentations.
-
Coordinates City Commission agenda items and follow-up actions as assigned.
-
Manages confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
-
Tracks assigned budgets, contracts, grants, and IGAs for status deadlines, and compliance milestones; does not approve expenditures, contracts, amendments, or legal terms unless separately authorized.
-
Coordinates administrative compliance tracking in consultation with the City Attorney, City Clerk, Human Resources, Finance, and responsible departments.
Emergency Management and Special Assignments
-
Supports the City Manager during emergency operations, disaster response, and continuity of government activities.
-
Coordinates interagency communication during emergencies and critical incidents.
Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
Minimum Required Qualifications
-
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, political science, emergency management, organizational leadership, communications, or closely related field.
-
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in local government, public administration, military-community relations, intergovernmental affairs, project management, or executive administration.
-
Demonstrated experience coordinating complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
-
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
-
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
Preferred Qualifications
-
Experience working in Kansas municipal government
-
Experience working with elected officials, city/county departments, military installations, regional partners, and/or state/federal agencies.
-
Experience with agenda preparation, policy research, grant/contract tracking, public-sector performance management, or emergency coordination.
-
Familiarity with KOMA, KORA, and public records requirements.
Ability to obtain credentials for access to Fort Riley if required for assigned duties
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
-
Strong understanding of military-community partnerships and intergovernmental relations.
-
Leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
-
Ability to build relationships with military leaders, elected officials, community stakeholders, and governmental partners.
-
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
-
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
-
Ability to exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality, and work independently.
-
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other business applications.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position.
-
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent use of computers, telephone, and standard office equipment.
-
Ability to read documents and analyze data.
-
Ability to sit or remain stationary for extended periods.
-
Ability to stand, walk, or otherwise move throughout City facilities and project sites as needed.
-
Occasional lifting and carrying of up to twenty (20) pounds.
-
Ability to travel to various locations within the City and surrounding regions for meetings, site visits, and events.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation
The City is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The City is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation may be available in the application process, during employment, or in performing the essential functions of the position, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on City operations. Requests for accommodation should be directed to Human Resources.
Disclaimer
This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The City reserves the right to revise this position description at any time to meet operational needs.
