CITY MANAGER $175,000 - $195,000. Plus Excellent Benefits. Apply by March 20, 2016 (open until filled)

Transcription

1 CITY MANAGER $175,000 - $195,000 Plus Excellent Benefits Apply by March 20, 2016 (open until filled)

2 WHY APPLY? Located in south Lake Washington, just 10 minutes east of Seattle and 10 minutes west of Bellevue, Mercer Island offers easy access to the big city, while giving its residents the enjoyment of a relaxing island community consisting of high quality residential areas, preserved parks, open space, and miles of stunning, developed shoreline. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced public sector manager to make a difference in an active community. This position offers the right candidate a chance to work with a dedicated City Council and staff to achieve the City's goals and provide outstanding services to its citizens. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career opportunity, this is the right position for you! THE COMMUNITY Located in the Seattle Metropolitan Area, Mercer Island was named for the Mercer Family of Seattle, who arrived and settled the Island between 1870 and Mercer Island has a total area of 6.2 square miles and a population of just over 24,000. Although the community is small, Mercer Island is influential in various regional issues due to its proximity to Bellevue and Seattle, two major metropolitan areas. The Island's citizens are intelligent, creative, active and engaged. Recognized as one of the premier residential communities in the State of Washington, Mercer Island has a median household income of $127,360 and according to the Seattle Times, the 2015 average house price was $1.06 million. While the Island is primarily a residential community, Mercer Island has a northern Town Center providing new plazas, public art, shops, and restaurants. A gradual transition to multi-story mixed use construction is creating new retail and office spaces, as well as approximately 800 apartments, condominiums and senior living units, that add new energy to the Island. City owned land, including over 500 acres of local parks and other open space land, has helped maintain the Island's natural beauty over the years. Quiet neighborhoods and forest-like parks are complemented by panoramic views of Seattle, the Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, and Lake Washington, making Mercer Island a stunning area in which to live. Mercer Island's central location allows for a variety of nearby recreational activities. The Island itself has many miles of hiking trails, 475 acres of parks and open spaces, a multipurpose sports field, and a variety of paved and unpaved walking and biking trails. Lake Washington also allows residents of all ages to enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including water sports, picnicking, recreational sports, fishing, and kayaking. The Mercer Island School District has an outstanding reputation and is a source of community pride, serving roughly 4,200 students on the Island. In 2012, Mercer Island was included in Forbes magazine s top twenty small communities in America for educational attainment. The District maintains a graduation rate of over 95 percent. 2

3 Sustainability is taken seriously on the Island. Over the past decade, the City has committed to applying the principles of sustainability to its operations. The City is very active in regional carbonreduction policy and programs, including promoting solar power and installing an EV charging infrastructure. The City usually ranks highest in the region for residential recycling participation. In 2013, the City won the national Green Power Community of the Year award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. THE CITY Incorporated in 1960, the City of Mercer Island, a full service City, operates as a Council-Manager form of government. The Council consists of seven Council Members elected at-large in a nonpartisan election to staggered four-year terms, and a Mayor elected from among the Council to a two year term. It is the responsibility of the Mayor and Council to appoint the City Manager. The City Manager oversees all City departments and is assisted by the Assistant City Manager, and the Assistant City Manager/Finance Director. Departments include City Attorney, Development Services, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information & Geographic Services, Maintenance, Municipal Court, Parks & Recreation, Police, and Youth & Family Services. The City operates with FTEs, maintains approximately 60 temporary and seasonal employees, and has a total 2016 adopted budget of $61.7 million. As a city, Mercer Island prides itself on communicating and working cooperatively with citizens, using volunteers and citizen committees effectively, promoting good customer service, and building collaborations with federal, state, and county organizations to achieve its goals. THE POSITION Appointed by the City Council, the City Manager serves as the chief executive officer of the City. The City Manager is primarily responsible for the administration of day-to-day operations of the City, as well as the preparation of the City's biennial budget, the enforcement and implementation of all laws and policies, and the efficient and effective delivery of all City services. Directing the allocation and organization of the City's resources, the City Manager's Office oversees the development and implementation of all policy and program initiatives, including the City Council's top priorities. The City Manager s Office also includes the City Clerk, Public Communications and Sustainability functions. Other responsibilities include: Directly supervises the Assistant City Manager and the various department directors. Serves as principal advisor to the City Council on a variety of technical and administrative issues. These include but are not limited to budgeting, funding, developing procedures for effective management, long-range planning, development of goals and appropriate programs and the establishment of open and candid public relations/awareness programs. Directs the formulation and implementation of the City's budget and establishes controls and programs to ensure the financial integrity of the City. Frequently represents the City before civic groups, the press, other governmental bodies or the general public. Ensures the establishment of programs which maintain effective working relationships within the City and with other governmental agencies and civic organizations. Plans for the enhancement of policies and procedures. Supervises the adoption and implementation of the City Council's Work Plan. Develops programs and mechanisms to enhance community relations. Reviews, evaluates, and enhances intergovernmental relationships and financial arrangements. 3

4 IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES Budget Challenges: The City Manager will lead the City through the issues of addressing structural challenges in balancing the City s budget in 2017 and beyond. This will require careful analysis of City services, opportunities for efficiencies and new ways of delivering service. Regional Transportation Issues: With the impending construction of light rail slated to begin in 2017, the design and construction of the light rail station on the Island, and issues related to the loss of mobility due to the closure of the I-90 center roadway, the City Manager will be expected to guide the City through complex, related issues over the next several years. Town Center Visioning: A joint commission of the Planning and Design Commissions is working in partnership with the City to help determine the desired future look and feel for the Town Center area by setting guidelines for elements such as building heights, public spaces, retail and residential uses, and streetscapes, with the goal of creating a more relevant, vibrant Town Center for all Islanders. The City Manager must be prepared to lead through the opportunities and complexities of passionate and differing community points of view regarding aesthetics, growth and density. Partnership with the School District: Mercer Island schools have an outstanding reputation in academics, sports and culture. With shared boundaries, the City and District partner closely on shared infrastructure and will look to future opportunities to further maximize community assets and services. The City of Mercer Island is seeking a forwardlooking manager who has a broad knowledge and understanding of all aspects of municipal government and intergovernmental relationships. The ideal candidate will have experience in the principles and practices of public administration, budgeting, public relations and general management. The City is looking for an innovative leader who embraces technology and is capable and passionate about effectively and efficiently delivering public services to the community. The new City Manager will also be creative in approaches to forming public-private partnerships. Regional relationships are very important. The new City Manager will need to quickly gain a strong understanding of regional issues and must be able to work and collaborate with local cities and regional institutions. The relationship with each municipality must remain positive and productive, so communication and relationship building experience is a must. The organization is a well managed city with strong department directors and staff, and a cohesive City Council. The new manager will also be a leader focused on building upon the City's successes. The ideal candidate will bring a team-oriented and collaborative leadership style, and fully embrace city management as a vocation. The new manager will be a positive person who is approachable and has a reputation of nurturing relationships at all levels and with diverse personalities, and is able to achieve consensus and drive results. The new manager will have proven outstanding negotiation skills and strong, positive and pro-active communication skills. The new City Manager will appreciate and leverage varied perspectives, cultures and problem-solving approaches. Celebration of diversity in thinking, culture, etc., is a strong Island value. Citizen involvement plays a large role in city government so it is essential that the next manager will have to appreciate and embrace the connectivity the City has with the community. The new City Manager will be a supporter of and thoughtful about public engagement. 4

5 The Council is seeking a candidate who understands the role of a city manager and can build and strengthen the council/manager relationship. This will be an exciting, yet demanding job, so the Council is seeking a high energy, dynamic manager who can think strategically and build relationships to maintain a high-performance, customer service focused organizational culture. EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION A bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, or related field, and at least seven (7) years of management experience in government and administration, budgeting, fiscal management or related fields is required. A master's degree is preferred. Significant experience in strategic planning, capital improvement program management, intergovernmental relations, and knowledge of land use and traffic and transportation issues is preferred. Any combination of experience, training, or education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the job may be considered. Candidates must possess or be able to obtain a Washington State Driver License, and have a driving record acceptable to the City insurance carrier. Residence within the City of Mercer Island is desired. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS $175,000 - $195,000 DOQ Medical / Dental / Vision Life Insurance Long-Term Disability Insurance Vacation Sick Leave 10 Paid Holidays, 1 Floating Holiday PERS, RHS, and Deferred Compensation Employee Assistance Program Automobile and Technology Allowance Compensation elements, such as a deferred compensation match, performance-based pay, a housing allowance, etc., may be considered. Please visit: The City of Mercer Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by March 20, 2016 (first review, open until filled). Applications, supplemental questions, resumes and cover letters will only be accepted electronically. To apply online, go to and click on "submit your application" and follow the directions provided. Resumes, cover letters and supplemental questions can be uploaded once you have logged in NE Gilman Blvd., Suite 350 Issaquah, WA Prothman. All Rights Reserved. 5