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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeputy City Manager August 2026 City of Port Townsend Job Description Deputy City Manager Classification title: Deputy City Manager Working title: Deputy City Manager Department: Administration Union: No FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 633 Hours: Full Time Effective date: August 2026 Reports to: City Manager Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY Under general direction of the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager serves as the chief operating partner to the City Manager and assists in executive leadership, planning, administration, and coordination of City operations. The Deputy City Manager provides strategic leadership across multiple departments, directs organizational initiatives, special projects, and serves as a key member of the executive leadership team in advising the City Manager, other departments, and City Council on all relevant City matters. The Deputy City Manager provides highly responsible professional, administrative, and policy support to the City Manager; assists in implementing the policies, priorities, and projects established by the City Council; coordinates activities among City departments; and advances strategic initiatives related to organizational effectiveness, economic vitality, community development, infrastructure planning, and long-range organizational priorities. The Deputy City Manager fosters collaborative relationships with employees, elected officials, community organizations, regional partners, governmental agencies, and the public. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Assist City Manager in planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating City operations to ensure efficient, effective, and responsive municipal services.  Assist in the development and implementation of the City’s strategic priorities, Comprehensive Plan, organizational initiatives, and long-range planning efforts.  Collaborate with regional partners, businesses, community organizations, and governmental agencies to support economic vitality, business retention and expansion, workforce development, tourism, and community investment initiatives.  Serve on boards as an appointed position representing the City.  Create a positive work environment emphasizing teamwork, training, and collaboration.  Be a visible and accessible leader to all staff and the public.  Attend and participate in professional group meetings, maintaining an awareness of current trends and developments in the fields related to this position; incorporate new developments as appropriate and ensure related processes, policies, and practices are applied consistently and effectively.  Provide executive leadership for and supervise assigned department directors, managers, and organizational functions as delegated by the City Manager. Support leadership development, accountability, and performance management practices throughout the organization. Deputy City Manager  Provide executive-level support toward prevention, preparedness, planning, mitigation, and coordination related to emergency management, continuity of operations, and recovery.  Assist in identifying funding opportunities and coordinating grant strategies that support City priorities and organizational initiatives.  Serves as Acting City Manager in the absence of the City Manager as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: Principles and practices of executive leadership, public administration, and municipal government.  Council-Manager form of government and the respective roles of elected officials and executive leadership.  City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.  Organizational leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development.  Municipal budgeting and administration, fiscal management, capital planning, and fiscal accountability.  Policy analysis, program evaluation, and performance management.  Human resource management, labor relations, employee development, and organizational culture.  Intergovernmental relations and public engagement principles.  Emergency management, continuity of operations, and risk management.  Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and municipal policies.  Modern management practices, technology, and continuous improvement methodologies.  Current social, political, and economic trends and operating problems of municipal government.  Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs. Skilled in:  Political acumen, including effective engagement with elected officials and organizational leadership, like boards of directors.  Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people.  Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness.  Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite of programs and other technology systems.  Effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, the public, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience, and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.  Absorb and analyze complex technical information quickly, draw logical conclusions, and make sound decisions of major scope with full awareness of technical, legal, and financial consequences.  Address multiple types of public audiences and communicate openly and directly at all levels on technical subjects and sensitive topics in a clear, objective, and persuasive manner.  Manage projects with time-sensitive deadlines, challenging situations, and monetary budget Deputy City Manager constraints.  Foster a goal-oriented environment that exhibits tangible results while maintaining attention to the details. Abiltiy to:  Provide visionary, collaborative, and ethical leadership in a complex municipal environment.  Analyze complex organizational, financial, operational, and policy issues; develop practical solutions and make sound recommendations.  Exercise independent judgment, political awareness, discretion, and confidentiality in sensitive situations.  Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse audiences on complex or sensitive topics.  Facilitate collaboration, resolve conflict, and build consensus among individuals with differing perspectives.  Lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.  Develop organizational goals, performance measures, and operational priorities.  Manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and high- quality customer service.  Foster a workplace culture that values accountability, innovation, inclusion, professionalism, and employee development.  Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, elected officials, community groups, other agencies, volunteers, customers, and the public. QUALIFICATIONS Required  Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Organizational Leadership, Finance, Community Development, Engineering, Planning, or a closely related field, or equivalent years of experience.  Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible management or executive leadership experience in municipal government or another complex public organization, including three years of supervisory responsibility managing professional or management staff.  Experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, budget administration, policy implementation, and cross-functional project management.  Experience working with elected officials, executive leadership, and diverse community members.  Valid Washington Driver’s License and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier. Preferred  A Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.  Experience serving as an Assistant or Deputy City Manager in a Council-Manager form of government.  Executive leadership training, professional certification, or demonstrated experience leading organizational change and strategic initiatives. Deputy City Manager  Experience in economic development, strategic planning, housing initiatives, community development, or intergovernmental relations. WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed mostly in an office environment and often requires sitting at a desk or in meetings for extended periods of time, and repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Occasional field work and reconnaissance in rugged terrain may be necessary. Physical hazards may occur from exposure to traffic and heavy equipment, rugged terrain, and utility operations. Frequent local travel is required using City-owned vehicles. Occasional statewide or out-of-state travel may be required. 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. 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. All employees must comply with all City policies and procedures relevant to their position as a condition of City employment. 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.