What are the responsibilities and job description for the City Administrator position at City of Cleveland Heights?
Background
The City of Cleveland Heights is an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland, Ohio with a population of just under 45,000 people and a combined 2023 budget of over $123M. Cleveland Heights is a dynamic city with a legacy of intentional economic, racial, and cultural diversity and inclusion. Cleveland Heights was established as a city in 1921 and operated under the Council-Manager system of government for 100 years. In 2019, the people of Cleveland Heights voted to amend the city’s Charter to create a directly elected, strong Mayor to lead the executive branch of government.
Our first duly elected Mayor took office in January 2022 and appointed the city’s first City Administrator in March 2022. Since then, the partnership between the Mayor and the City Administrator has resulted in successes related to development in the city, and improvements in government efficiency and effectiveness; but due to an upcoming vacancy in the City Administrator position, Mayor Kahlil Seren is now seeking well qualified and experienced candidates who will have an opportunity to continue the exciting work of designing, creating, and improving on a new administration in a new form of government in Cleveland Heights.
Summary of Position: The City Administrator position reports exclusively to the Mayor of Cleveland Heights, with delegation of authority granted by and through the executive. Subject to the supervision and control of the Mayor, the incumbent acts as the chief operating/administrative officer of the city and manages the operation of departments in their fulfilment of the functions and responsibilities of the city government.The City Administrator serves as a primary advisor to the Mayor of Cleveland Heights in the administration of the Mayor’s Office, the creation of the Mayor’s annual recommended budget, the establishment of municipal policy, and the implementation of the Mayor’s strategic vision.
- Assists the Mayor in the creation of a strategic plan for the administration and the development of an organizational process improvement and performance management program.
- Provides advice and counsel to the Mayor and direction to department directors and other division heads on issues relevant to the efficient operation of the City.
- Provides oversight to the budgeting and finance operations.
- At the direction of the Mayor, assists with the negotiations and administration of the collective bargaining contracts with the City's bargaining units. Assists, manages, and provides oversight to the grievance procedure process while working with bargaining units to bring cases to resolution and/or settlement.
- Oversees the Public Works, Finance, Community Services, and other departments as assigned by the Mayor, providing support as needed. Manages and conducts special studies and projects including researching, analyzing, and recommending strategies relating to organizational, administrative, and operational issues throughout the City. Participates in teams and committees in support of these efforts.
- Ensures adherence to state and federal laws such as ADA, EEO, FMLA, and OSHA as well as other applicable rules and legislative requirements. Similarly ensures that subordinates adhere to and meet federal, state, and local laws applicable to their positions.
- Incumbent is expected to collaborate with Human Resources regarding the City's performance measurement/metrics and training programs, providing assistance and oversight to staff as deemed necessary by the Mayor. May oversee the disciplinary review process and subsequently make recommendation of appropriate discipline to the Mayor or designee, exercise supervision of personnel in related areas of responsibility, and perform other tasks as requested.
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.)This position requires analytical skills, organizational skills, customer service abilities, as well as oral and written communication skills. Incumbent must manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment; the ability to create work-product and meet deadlines with minimal supervision required.
Knowledge of: Management principles; public administration and governmental operations; accounting and financial management principles; applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, rules, and regulations; program development and administration principles and practices; project management principles; conflict mediation principles; budgeting principles.
Skill in: Using computers and related software applications; written and verbal communication; managing employees; managing public programs (including research, planning, communication, marketing, and evaluation).
Ability to: Monitor and evaluate employees; prioritize and assign work; provide leadership; analyze and develop policies and procedures; interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules and regulations; prepare and administer budgets; plan, analyze, and evaluate programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints; analyze problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals; speak in public; resolve conflict; manage change and sensitive topics; communicate and use interpersonal skills to interact with coworkers, the general public, etc. to sufficiently exchange or convey information. Incumbent may be called upon to develop public and media engagement, branding strategies, and communication plans.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with focus in Public or Business Administration or related field; Master’s Degree or higher preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience in government administration.
- Commitment to public and customer service, commitment to innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to maintaining high ethical standards.
- Familiarity with and respect for the delineation between executive powers/administrative structure and the legislative/budgetary authority of City Council.
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong understanding of government operations and political landscape including how best practices can be implemented to achieve high service levels. Familiarity with the issues affecting the City. Demonstrated ability to work across departments and organizations to achieve results.
- Exemplary leadership qualities, with expertise in leadership improvement, building effective teams, coaching, and ensuring professional growth for all team members. Demonstrates skill in the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with all levels of executive and managerial personnel, various governmental agencies, and other key stakeholders.
- Proven track record in change-management and leading and executing large-scale projects. Demonstrates a sense of urgency and ability to work expeditiously in a deadline driven environment. Understands how to use multiple sources of data to inform strategy.
- Strong communicator with excellent speaking, listening, and writing skills. Can communicate easily across all levels of government. Ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders around a clear vision for serving the City and its residents.
- Knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, and adept use of technological tools. Ability to set goals and develop strategies and schedules for meeting goals. Ability to perform duties with tact, discretion, and confidentiality. Possess and demonstrate good problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to relate to and work effectively with persons of diverse racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Understanding of climate change and the integration of environmental and climate justice into strategic planning and implementation.
- Experience in labor negotiations/relations, human resources, public technology, media relations, and performance measurement.
CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:
Applicant must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Ohio Driver’s License.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work environment and 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.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Light Work: 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.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to
adverse environmental conditions.
The City of Cleveland Heights is an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland, Ohio with a population of just under 45,000 people and a combined 2023 budget of over $123M. Cleveland Heights is a dynamic city with a legacy of intentional economic, racial, and cultural diversity and inclusion. Cleveland Heights was established as a city in 1921 and operated under the Council-Manager system of government for 100 years. In 2019, the people of Cleveland Heights voted to amend the city’s Charter to create a directly elected, strong Mayor to lead the executive branch of government.
Our first duly elected Mayor took office in January 2022 and appointed the city’s first City Administrator in March 2022. Since then, the partnership between the Mayor and the City Administrator has resulted in successes related to development in the city, and improvements in government efficiency and effectiveness; but due to an upcoming vacancy in the City Administrator position, Mayor Kahlil Seren is now seeking well qualified and experienced candidates who will have an opportunity to continue the exciting work of designing, creating, and improving on a new administration in a new form of government in Cleveland Heights.
Summary of Position: The City Administrator position reports exclusively to the Mayor of Cleveland Heights, with delegation of authority granted by and through the executive. Subject to the supervision and control of the Mayor, the incumbent acts as the chief operating/administrative officer of the city and manages the operation of departments in their fulfilment of the functions and responsibilities of the city government.The City Administrator serves as a primary advisor to the Mayor of Cleveland Heights in the administration of the Mayor’s Office, the creation of the Mayor’s annual recommended budget, the establishment of municipal policy, and the implementation of the Mayor’s strategic vision.
- Assists the Mayor in the creation of a strategic plan for the administration and the development of an organizational process improvement and performance management program.
- Provides advice and counsel to the Mayor and direction to department directors and other division heads on issues relevant to the efficient operation of the City.
- Provides oversight to the budgeting and finance operations.
- At the direction of the Mayor, assists with the negotiations and administration of the collective bargaining contracts with the City's bargaining units. Assists, manages, and provides oversight to the grievance procedure process while working with bargaining units to bring cases to resolution and/or settlement.
- Oversees the Public Works, Finance, Community Services, and other departments as assigned by the Mayor, providing support as needed. Manages and conducts special studies and projects including researching, analyzing, and recommending strategies relating to organizational, administrative, and operational issues throughout the City. Participates in teams and committees in support of these efforts.
- Ensures adherence to state and federal laws such as ADA, EEO, FMLA, and OSHA as well as other applicable rules and legislative requirements. Similarly ensures that subordinates adhere to and meet federal, state, and local laws applicable to their positions.
- Incumbent is expected to collaborate with Human Resources regarding the City's performance measurement/metrics and training programs, providing assistance and oversight to staff as deemed necessary by the Mayor. May oversee the disciplinary review process and subsequently make recommendation of appropriate discipline to the Mayor or designee, exercise supervision of personnel in related areas of responsibility, and perform other tasks as requested.
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.)This position requires analytical skills, organizational skills, customer service abilities, as well as oral and written communication skills. Incumbent must manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment; the ability to create work-product and meet deadlines with minimal supervision required.
Knowledge of: Management principles; public administration and governmental operations; accounting and financial management principles; applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, rules, and regulations; program development and administration principles and practices; project management principles; conflict mediation principles; budgeting principles.
Skill in: Using computers and related software applications; written and verbal communication; managing employees; managing public programs (including research, planning, communication, marketing, and evaluation).
Ability to: Monitor and evaluate employees; prioritize and assign work; provide leadership; analyze and develop policies and procedures; interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules and regulations; prepare and administer budgets; plan, analyze, and evaluate programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints; analyze problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals; speak in public; resolve conflict; manage change and sensitive topics; communicate and use interpersonal skills to interact with coworkers, the general public, etc. to sufficiently exchange or convey information. Incumbent may be called upon to develop public and media engagement, branding strategies, and communication plans.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with focus in Public or Business Administration or related field; Master’s Degree or higher preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience in government administration.
- Commitment to public and customer service, commitment to innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to maintaining high ethical standards.
- Familiarity with and respect for the delineation between executive powers/administrative structure and the legislative/budgetary authority of City Council.
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong understanding of government operations and political landscape including how best practices can be implemented to achieve high service levels. Familiarity with the issues affecting the City. Demonstrated ability to work across departments and organizations to achieve results.
- Exemplary leadership qualities, with expertise in leadership improvement, building effective teams, coaching, and ensuring professional growth for all team members. Demonstrates skill in the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with all levels of executive and managerial personnel, various governmental agencies, and other key stakeholders.
- Proven track record in change-management and leading and executing large-scale projects. Demonstrates a sense of urgency and ability to work expeditiously in a deadline driven environment. Understands how to use multiple sources of data to inform strategy.
- Strong communicator with excellent speaking, listening, and writing skills. Can communicate easily across all levels of government. Ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders around a clear vision for serving the City and its residents.
- Knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, and adept use of technological tools. Ability to set goals and develop strategies and schedules for meeting goals. Ability to perform duties with tact, discretion, and confidentiality. Possess and demonstrate good problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to relate to and work effectively with persons of diverse racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Understanding of climate change and the integration of environmental and climate justice into strategic planning and implementation.
- Experience in labor negotiations/relations, human resources, public technology, media relations, and performance measurement.
CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:
Applicant must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Ohio Driver’s License.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work environment and 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.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Light Work: 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.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to
adverse environmental conditions.
Salary : $98,788 - $158,138
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