Rice Lake (est. pop. 9,010), located in Barron County in northwestern Wisconsin and just 100 miles northeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul, is a charming city known for its scenic beauty and vibrant community. Nestled along the shores of its eponymous lake, Rice Lake is a growing community and serves as a vital commercial and tourist center for the surrounding rural regions. The City offers a blend of small-town charm and modern amenities, with a vibrant downtown area featuring charming shops, local restaurants, and cultural attractions, including the Northern Star Theatre Company which hosts a variety of performances throughout the year. As a shopping, industrial, educational, and medical hub, Rice Lake supports the surrounding rural communities of Barron, Cameron, Chetek, Shell Lake, Cumberland, Spooner, Ladysmith and beyond.

Rice Lake’s picturesque landscape and variety of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking, make it a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy numerous parks, including Veterans Memorial Park and Moon Lake Park, or explore the Rice Lake Trail System (RLTS), which offers 9.5 miles of paved, off-road trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and more. The trails are equipped with benches, picnic tables, outdoor sports areas, pavilions, and gazebos, making them perfect for recreation and relaxation.

Rice Lake is seeking a strategic, visionary City Administrator to execute high-level administrative, technical, and professional duties in directing and supervising city government operations. This role involves directly overseeing the Building Inspector, City Planner, Human Resources Manager, and Computer Support Specialist, in addition to a team of over 30 employees, either directly or through subordinates. Key responsibilities include analyzing the City's capital plan, debt structure, and growth patterns to provide financing recommendations and promote development. Additionally, the Administrator will advise the Common Council on financial matters, support Department Heads with personnel issues, and develop essential reports and studies.

The salary range for this position will be $104,584 to $146,418. In addition, the City of Rice Lake provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes: participation in Wisconsin Retirement System, health insurance (no employee paid premium), longevity pay, generous paid time off, employee paid dental & vision insurances, tuition reimbursement, deferred compensation plans, Health Savings Account, employee wellness program, employee assistance program, life insurance and income continuation programs as well as reimbursement for dues in professional organizations. Relocation assistance is negotiable and residency within the City is encouraged.

The successful candidate will hold a master’s degree in public administration, business management, or a closely related field, and seven years progressively responsible experience. Any equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience, with additional work experience substituting for the required education, will fulfill the requirements for education. Candidates with ICMA Credentialed Manager status are preferred. The candidate must be a U.S. citizen and have access to personal transportation for City business. The candidate shall be able to successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation including driving, criminal and financial history.

This position is open until filled; however, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply no later than July 29, 2024. For more information, please contact Yolanda Howze at yolanda.howze@bakertilly.com or 312.240.3401. 

It is the policy of the City to ensure equal employment opportunity for all employees and appointed representatives. This commitment includes a mandate to promote and afford equal treatment to all employees and City appointees. To assure equal employment opportunity based on ability and fitness to all persons regardless of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability unless such disability effectively prevents the performance of duties required by the position and the City is unable to make a reasonable accommodation which would obviate the limitation created by the disability.