POSITION SUMMARY CITY ADMINISTRATOR
The City Administrator is appointed by a majority vote of the Council, shall serve at the discretion of the Council, and shall be subject to removal by a majority vote of the Council. The City Administrator shall be a person competent by education and experience to perform the duties imposed upon such a person. The Council shall set such terms, conditions and requisites of employment from time to time as it may deem appropriate.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR
- Act as chief administrative officer for the City.
- Supervise enforcement and execution of City laws.
- Attend all meetings of the Council unless excused by the Mayor.
- Recommend to the Council such measures as may be deemed necessary or expedient for the good government and welfare of the City.
- Have general supervision and direction of the administration of City government, and appoint, with Council approval, such administrative assistants as deemed advisable.
- Be directly responsible to the Council for the administration of municipal affairs as directed by the Council; bring before the Council any City departmental administration matters requiring Council attention.
- Supervise the official conduct of all officers of the City, and oversee the electric, water, street, garbage, and sewer departments.
- Supervise the performance of all contracts for work to be done for the City; make all purchases of materials and supplies and ensure they are received and meet the quality and character called for by the contract.
- Employ, reclassify, suspend or discharge all employees, fix their compensation, and direct any City department or division to perform work for another department or division — subject to Council approval — except for the positions of City Clerk, Police Chief, and Fire Chief. For those excepted positions, report to and advise the Council or Mayor, as appropriate, on performance and make employment recommendations as seems appropriate.
- Have the power to summarily suspend any officer, appointee, or employee the Administrator has the power to appoint or employ, subject to the Veteran’s Preference Law (Code of Iowa, Chapter 35C); administrative assistants to the Administrator hold office at the discretion of the Administrator.
- Supervise the construction, improvement, repair, maintenance and management of all City property, capital improvements and undertakings of the City, including surveys, maps, plans, drawings, specifications and estimates for capital improvements, except property and improvements managed by the Hospital Board of Trustees.
- Study possible arrangements with municipal boards and commissions and make recommendations for mutually acceptable arrangements; coordinate these activities and cooperate with and assist the Hospital Board of Trustees, Library Board of Trustees, Airport Commission, Park Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and any other administrative agency, board, commission or committee of the City.
- Summarily and without notice investigate the affairs and conduct of any department, agency, officer, or employee under the Administrator’s supervision.
- Provide for and cause records to be kept of the issuance and revocation of licenses and permits authorized by City law.
- Keep the Council fully advised of the financial and other conditions of the City and of its future needs.
- Assist in the preparation of all City budgets and be responsible for their submission to the Council; prepare and submit to the Council annually the required budget and administer it upon receiving Council approval.
- Conduct the business affairs of the City and cause accurate records to be kept using modern and efficient accounting methods.
- Report to the Council, not later than the second regular Council meeting each month, on receipts and disbursements for the preceding month, and ensure copies of financial reports are available at the Clerk’s office for public distribution.
- Assist with writing grant applications and required follow-up.
- Communicate with the city attorney per the direction of the Mayor and City Council.
- Represent the City, as directed by the Council, in all negotiations with employees, contractors, architects, engineers, and other independent contractors in matters in which the City might have an interest.
- Assist with bids and public contracts and advertise bids and contracts as required by state law.
- Assist the City Clerk in the preparation of ordinances and resolutions.
- Serve as alternate city representative to the Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission.
- Serve as a member of the Discovery Daycare Board, the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Commission Board, and any other Board as needed.
- Act as Zoning Administrator, with responsibility for enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance and performance of the powers and duties prescribed therein.
- Perform other duties at the discretion of the Mayor or Council.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR CITY ADMINISTRATOR
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skill and abilities.
- Knowledge of and ability to accurately apply generally accepted accounting principles.
- Ability to competently perform basic business mathematics.
- Ability to compile and analyze financial reports.
- Ability to consult technical sources: city ordinances, the Code of Iowa, and administrative regulations.
- Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records.
- Ability to operate a variety of office equipment: computer, fax, copier, adding machine, and telephone.
- Interacts and exchanges information courteously with the public and other city employees.
- Knowledge of the organization and functions of municipal government.
- Knowledge of state laws and regulations relating to municipal government, including but not limited to the following: legislative process; open meetings and open records; finance; budgeting; accounting; taxation; property assessment; revenue financing; contract letting; bonding; urban renewal; economic development; and zoning.
- Ability to work independently and in consultation with other public officials and boards.
- Creative problem-solving through teamwork, partnerships, sound judgement, and decision-making to effectively manage.
- Strong communicator, consensus builder, detail-oriented, technologically savvy, and outcome-driven.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Education/Training:
- Four-year degree in public administration, business, or related fields, with progressive experience (4-7 years).
- An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Intermediate to advanced experience with computer programs.
Required licenses and certifications: None
Required post-offer physical: None
Required drug testing: None (Random may be ordered if drug use is suspected)
Residency requirement: None
WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR CITY ADMINISTRATOR
- Most work is performed indoors in an office setting.
- Attendance at city council meetings and other committee meetings will be required.
1. Marginal functions of the position incidental to the performance of essential job duties have been excluded from this job description.
2. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective employees and incumbents are encouraged to discuss possible accommodations with the Mayor/City Council.
3. Job descriptions in no way state or imply that the description includes every duty to be performed by the employee in the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Mayor/City Council.
4. The Mayor/City Council may change or reassign job duties or combine positions at any time.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
