HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager Job Description Update rev 010719
City of Port Townsend Job Description
City Manager
Classification title: City Manager Working title: City Manager
Department: Administration Union: No
FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: Non-Bargaining
Hours: Full Time Effective date: Rev October 2018
Reports to: City Council Civil Service: No
JOB SUMMARY
Serves as the administrative head and chief executive officer of the City government responsible for the
direction and effective coordination of all City services, operations, and implementation of City Council
policy as referenced in RCW 35.18.060. Serves as the chief advisor to the City Council. Serves as
the City representative in intergovernmental relations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assess community and resident needs and ensure objectives and priorities are focused on meeting
needs effectively, efficiently and with high-quality municipal services.
• Provide general supervision over the administrative activities of the city; develop and implement
internal policies, programs and operating objectives; and take necessary actions to improve
operations.
• Coordinate day-to-day operations and administration. Delegates authority and responsibility as
necessary to accomplish objectives, including risk management, personnel and labor relations,
preparation and administration of the City Budget and Capital Improvement Program, land use
planning, developmental services, building inspection, police services, parks, recreation and
community services, library, public works, water resources, wastewater treatment, biosolids, streets,
sewer and stormwater.
• Assist the city council in developing long-term financial planning policies and goals for the city;
implement the city’s financial policies to accomplish the city’s goals and objectives related to
provision of city services.
• Coordinate and supervise the preparation of the preliminary budget for submittal to the city council
and administer the final budget after its adoption.
• Keep the city council fully advised of the financial condition of the City and its future needs.
• Regularly attend Council meeting and act as the city’s representative at meetings with other
governmental officials, agencies, boards and commissions, attends conferences, conventions, and
seminars related to public management.
• Provide leadership and works with the management team to develop and retain highly competent
staff and create a service-oriented work environment. Supervise department directors. Monitor and
evaluate performance, provide coaching and take disciplinary action to address performance
deficiencies in accordance with City’s personnel policies and rules.
• Keep city council informed of the status and result of departmental operations and projects, develop
and make policy recommendations to the City Council, organize and implement adopted Council
policy.
• Act to resolve operational conflicts, decide and implement alternative courses of action, formulate
and administer policies, and otherwise make decisions to assure the maximum efficiency of the
general operations of the city.
City Manager, October 2018
• Provide information and advice to the city council, other public officials, and the public concerning
the city’s operations.
• Interprets City Council instructions and requests, interprets City ordinances, codes and applicable
laws and regulations.
• Appoint and remove city employees and contractors, except members of the council, subject to the
provisions of applicable law, rule or regulation relating to civil service;
• Ensure all laws and ordinances are faithfully executed, subject to the authority which the council
may grant the mayor to maintain law and order in times of emergency.
• Perform other duties as the council may determine by ordinance or resolution.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public policy administration with an understanding of
national policy issues affecting local government practices and funding.
• Knowledge of public financing and municipal budgeting.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing the administration and
operations of a municipality.
• Knowledge of the City’s political environment and sensitivities with the ability to function
effectively within that environment.
• Ability to shape the City’s future direction in response to changing community needs and develop,
implement and communicate a vision for appropriate plans and action steps.
• Ability to articulate and promote the City’s strategic positions, including its core values, to a
diverse audience.
• Ability to prepare and update short and long range strategic plans to ensure alignment with the
City Council’s overall mission and planning strategies.
• Ability to negotiate agreements and/or reach consensus with diverse and disparate interests.
• Demonstrated skill in delivering effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications
to individuals and groups, in a public or legislative forum.
• Demonstrated skill in facilitating and collaborating with senior level managers to determine the
most effective and efficient approach to delivering services and solving City-wide issues.
• Ability to identify, implement and refine the City’s organizational structure to generate desired
results as efficiently as possible.
• Ability to exercise sound and ethical judgment in decision-making processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, quality,
creativity and teamwork.
• Ability to provide leadership and to effectively delegate responsibility to subordinates.
• Ability to absorb and analyze complex information rapidly, draw logical conclusions and make
sound decisions of major scope with full awareness of technical, legal and financial
consequences.
• Ability to resolve departmental, operational and administrative conflicts and problems; decide
alternative courses of action; interpret policies; and otherwise make decisions which are in the
best interest of the City of Port Townsend.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain effective working
relationships with City officials and employees, the general public and representatives of other
agencies in the capacity of agent for the City Council.
City Manager, October 2018
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with highly sensitive political, public policy,
community and employee issues and situations.
• Technical competence in a variety of computer applications including word processing,
spreadsheets, and other applications.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, finance,
accounting, business administration or related field.
• A minimum of five years progressively responsible experience in the management and
administration of a municipal government.
• Per RCW 35A.13.050, must reside within or relocate to the city limits of Port Townsend within 6
months of start date or as otherwise negotiated with City Council.
Preferred
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, finance,
accounting, business administration or related field.
• Ten years experience as a City Manager, Assistant City Manager or City Department Head.
• Experience in planning or economic development in an historic and/or coastal community.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires the ability to read and interpret complex data, and mental acuity to ensure thorough
analysis in a fast-paced environment. Regularly required to perform mathematical reasoning, and to
work on multiple, concurrent tasks with constant interruptions under intensive deadlines. Sitting for
extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and phone; .
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. Must have the ability to hear at a
normal level, verbally communicate in person and by telephone and to effectively interact with upset
individuals. This position typically requires movement around the office, reaching, pushing, grasping,
finger dexterity, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally,
and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move
objects. Requires physical ability to drive an automobile and evening and/or weekend work for
meetings, presentations and out-of-town travel.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
OTHER CITY REQUIREMENTS
• Punctual and consistent attendance
• Possess a Washington Drivers License and maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s
insurance carrier.
• Dress and grooming appropriate to the position.
• Safety attire, equipment and practices appropriate to the position.
City Manager, October 2018
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees
The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains,
promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job-
related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied
without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation
(including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic
information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee
occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any
other job related duties requested by their supervisors.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee
and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.