Assistant City Administrator

Under the general administrative direction of the City Administrator, the Assistant City Administrator provides leadership and direction to all city departments in the provision of city services by establishing goals and objectives within the policy directives set by the City Administrator and the City Commission, and by assisting subordinate managers in developing and implementing procedures to accomplish departmental goals and objectives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Assistant City Administrator is responsible directly and through subordinate supervisors for the performance of approximately 1030 full-time and part-time regular city personnel and approximately 600 temporary and seasonal staff. Through the heads of departments, manages of the city operating budget of approximately $330 million, operation of all city facilities and equipment, and a significant capital budget of varying annual amounts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists the City Administrator in establishing goals and objectives for all departments and the City to ensure compliance with City Commission policy directives and any applicable local, state or federal laws, rules and regulations. Provides guidance to subordinate supervisors (department heads and division heads citywide) in the development, recommendation and implementation of policies and procedures to accomplish goals and objectives.   
   1. Plans, coordinates and evaluates the activities, programs and services of the City (including oversight & development of contracts and funding methods necessary to implement plans) to ensure effective and efficient operations and quality services to other City departments, employees and residents;
   2. Directs inter-departmental communications for input, advice, technical assistance and factors contributing to quality services to the City;
   3. Maintains a high level of awareness, directly and through delegation of responsibility to subordinates, of legal and compliance issues and trends at all levels of government that may impact city operations directly or indirectly;
   4. Prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence and reviews those prepared by staff relating to city activities, direction, accomplishments, etc. in order to inform the Commission and to comply with federal and state rules and regulations;
      1. Represents City departments at City Commission meeting (and other meetings and functions) to present the plans and accomplishments of each department and to discuss the development and implementation of programs, policies, etc.;
   5. Maintains positive community and employee relations for the City including exchanging information; receiving and responding to concerns and issues and determining appropriate resolutions on behalf of the City Administrator;
   6. Serves as a spokesperson for the city in public settings or when communicating with the public media; supports the City Administrator, Mayor, and City Commissioners in public communications;
   7. Plans and carries out communications at a level that can impact the morale and performance of a major work unit;
   8. Serves a principal role in guiding or executing communications and establishing working relationships that affect the overall city work environment.
2. Using independent judgment assists the City Administrator in providing supervision and leadership to all City department heads.  
   1. Makes decisions and provides guidance to subordinate managers on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, lay off, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees; involves the City Administrator and Mayor as necessary; works with Citizen Committees that participate in the interview process; decisions are subject to authority of the Commission to empower, ratify or approve per governance policy and code.
   2. Sets goals and objectives for others to work towards and monitors performance;
   3. Leads City management in creating and maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective performance of staff;
   4. Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and conducts timely formal reviews of performance for department heads along with the City Administrator and respective City Commissioner; 
   5. Provides training and work direction, ensuring the employee knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss; ensures that each employee:
      1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
      2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
      3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
   6. Encourages employee growth and development by providing or encouraging learning opportunities. 
3. Assists the City Administrator in coordinating the financial status of City with departmental goals, objectives and actual performance. Works with the City Administrator and Director of Finance to conduct budget hearings. Assists the City Administrator and Mayor in developing the annual budget.
   1. Using independent judgment develops and directs others in development of department operating budgets for the next cycle and capital budgets for longer- term cycles;
   2. Analyzes past expenditures, expected needs, future cost projections and sources of funding in order to develop detailed budgets;
   3. Reviews year-to-date spending reports and monitors performance against plan during the entire budget cycle, making or recommending adjustments as necessary to achieve a desired balance at the end of the cycle;
   4. Approves expenditures for purposes and amounts that are within the budget and within the authorized approval limits of the job;
   5. Works to ensure the most cost-effective alternatives are identified when planning expenditures;
   6. Prepares requests for annual funding and presents requests to decision makers for approval;
   7. Works closely with Finance Department staff to identify sources of funds for capital improvement projects.
4. Serves as liaison for the city on major projects.   
   1. Responds to citizens’, contractors’, and others’ concerns and issues;
   2. Determines appropriate resolutions to maintain positive community relations for the city.
5. Serves a leadership role in the function of intergovernmental relations (IGR)
   1. Maintains close working relationship with elected and appointed officials at federal, state, county, school district and neighboring communities;
   2. Testifies at formal hearings on behalf of the City;
   3. Conveys information about funding needs to potential funding sources;
   4. Seeks to achieve outcomes that are beneficial for area neighbors as well as the City of Fargo.
6. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The job requires a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, Planning or a related field and ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in public/municipality administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. A valid driver’s license is also required.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Thorough knowledge of governmental administrative procedures and practices such as budgeting, purchasing and policy formulation;
• Thorough knowledge of functions and operations of a large municipality, including public works, planning and development, engineering, finance, auditor, assessment, administrative, human resources, public safety and health, ancillary services such as library, airport, etc.;
• Knowledge of state and federal rules, regulations, guidelines and codes relating to public sector projects;
• Knowledge of human resource management practices such as training, discipline, delegation, etc.;
• Skill in leadership and management in order to coordinate the diversified activities of individuals and groups toward the achievement of common goals;
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to assess large amounts of information and formulate decisions;
• Skill in communication including persuasive communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with City Commission, other municipal officials, coworkers, supervisors, the general public, etc.;
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and strong public relations skills;
• Ability to recommend the selection of competent personnel to the City Administrator and to train them to perform their duties in an effective and efficient manner;
• Ability to supervise personnel in a manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Most work is performed in a normal office environment. Work is generally light with considerable variety. Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms. Regular driving is required to attend meetings. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines.

Activities include fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Work is Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.