The Town of Windham, a vibrant, diverse community in Eastern Connecticut is currently seeking an experienced, community-oriented, visionary leader to serve as its next Town Manager. The Town Manager is the chief executive officer responsible for managing and providing leadership in the administration of municipal services and the implementation of Town Council policies. The position manages a $30 million budget, 210 full-time municipal employees, and works collaboratively with municipal departments, civic leaders, community organizations, two (2) taxing districts, and Windham Public Schools administrators to identify and meet the Town’s needs.
The successful candidate will possess a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, finance, or a closely related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience as a city/town manager, assistant city/town manager, or senior municipal department director in a community of comparable size and complexity, including considerable exposure to public personnel and financial administration; or any combination of education and/or work experience deemed relevant and equivalent to achieve the successful performance of the job by the Town Council. The starting annual salary will be based upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.
To be considered, candidates should submit a confidential letter of interest and resume, including salary history to the Town Manager’s Office, attention Paul J. Hongo, Jr., Town of Windham, 979 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226.
TOWN OF WINDHAM
JOB DESCRIPTION
TOWN MANAGER
JOB SUMMARY
This is a responsible administrative position that manages the affairs of the Town of Windham, Connecticut, under the direction of the Town Council, and pursuant to Chapter 96, Sections 7-98 to 7-100, of Title 7 of the Connecticut Statutes, as well as applicable Town Charter, policies, and ordinances.
GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Town Manager serves as the chief administrative officer of the town, is the administrative head of all departments of Town government, and shall be responsible for the efficient administration thereof.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisory authority of general administration; personnel and labor relations; budgeting and finance; legal affairs; purchasing; public information; and facilities management.
Day-to-day administrative coordination of all town departments, including direct supervision and evaluation of any employees in the Town Manager’s Office.
Reviews organizational and staff management issues; reviews and develops new policies and procedures; and develops new strategic initiatives for the Town.
Recruits, hires, evaluates, directs, and, if necessary, disciplines and terminates Town employees, subject to the Town Charter, applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements, and/or personnel policies approved by the Town Council.
Provides support to the Town Council, including assisting in preparing meeting agendas, attending Council meetings, informing Council Members of appropriate statutory and regulatory changes affecting the Town, and carrying out decisions of the Town Council as directed.
Develops and manages the Town Budget, including coordinating budget preparation, presenting a proposed budget to the Town Council, serving as the Council’s liaison to the Board of Finance; monitoring expenses and revenues; enacting cost controls when possible; managing capital projects; and providing financial reports to the Town Council as specified, including an annual accounting of the Town’s finances.
Promotes economic development for the Town in coordination with Boards and Commissions, and through appropriate staff, as necessary.
Manages the supervision of all Town Buildings, including maintaining an inventory of all Town buildings and property, as well as managing repairs and maintenance.
Oversees purchasing functions through appropriate staff, monitoring the work of contractors, and serving as contractor administrator for the Town Council.
Seeks out and applies for alternative funding sources (such as grants, bonds, and loans) with the approval of the Town Council; manages, administers, and monitors any grants obtained.
Works with the Town’s Boards, Commissions, and Committees in an advisory or support capacity.
Represents the Town and the Town Council in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with other town, state, and national government agencies and organizations.
Monitors legislation, develops legislative priorities with the Town Council, and develops a program of ongoing communications with legislators regarding the Town’s legislative policy agenda.
Serves as the primary contact with the Town Attorney, coordinates communications between the Town Council, legal counsel, and Town Boards and Commissions on legal matters.
Acts on behalf of the Town Council, deals with all correspondence and citizen inquiries, and investigates and responds to all citizen complaints.
Regular attendance is a requirement of this position.
*****The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.*****
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS
Performs other duties as specified by the Town Council or the Town Charter.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of municipal management and public administration.
Thorough knowledge of municipal, state, and federal programs and decision-making processes.
Thorough knowledge of financial administration, debt financing, and financial accounting and reporting systems.
Thorough knowledge of public personnel administration, including the direction, supervision, and evaluation of staff.
Knowledge of benefit and compensation policies.
Knowledge of municipal purchasing practices.
Knowledge of municipal risk management practices.
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource allocation including collective bargaining, labor unions and labor relations, and the Municipal Employees Relation Act (MERA).
Ability to negotiate collective bargaining agreements, to develop persuasive written and oral proposals, and to conduct research and to gather information for negotiations, arbitrations, strategy development, and other servicing activities.
Strong problem solving skills, ability to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously, function well under pressure, delegate effectively, and ability to remain positive and constructive under stress.
Demonstrated experience in municipal economic development.
Demonstrated experience in capital projects, including roads, drainage, public utilities, and bridges.
Advanced computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, spreadsheets, databases, networks, and email.
Effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing to all levels of the organization including management, co-workers, and the general public.
Ability to give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner, as well as the ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly, and to develop ideas in logical order is required; information provided orally must be accurately recorded.
Effective conflict resolution skills.
Possession of public relation skills.
Ability to prepare Town budget and manage within allocations authorized; and the ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports and legal documents.
Ability to work effectively with municipal officials, employees, and the general public.
Ability to manage time effectively and handle several significant responsibilities effectively.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Must possess a valid State of Connecticut driver’s license.
ICMA Credentialed Manager, preferred.
Bilingual (English and Spanish), preferred.
Residency, preferred.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Must have a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience as a city/town manager, assistant city/town manager, or senior municipal director in a community of comparable size and complexity, including considerable exposure to public personnel and financial administration; or in lieu thereof, any combination of education and/or work experience deemed relevant and equivalent to achieve the successful performance of the job by the Town Council, as outlined above.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to speak; hear; sit; stand, use hands for computer use, reach or kneel to retrieve files; drive; get in and out of vehicles. The employee may occasionally have to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds of various files; may occasionally need to bend, stoop, or crouch when viewing special outdoor projects. The employee must have the ability to routinely use hands, fingers, and wrists for repetitive motion, to handle and/or feel equipment, objects, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may be required to climb stairs to various levels.
Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to hear normal sounds, distinguish sound as voice patterns, and communicate through human speech. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.
The employee must be able to work harmoniously, cooperatively, and courteously with others at all times. The employee must have the ability to maintain his/her composure with the public and co-workers in everyday, stressful, and emergency situations. The employee must be able to respond to difficult situations, ease tensions, and address disturbances.
*****The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.*****