City Manager

CITY MANAGER 

City of Newport City Manager Job Description 

Scope of Work: 

The City of Newport seeks an experienced, thoughtful, community leader with excellent communication skills to serve as City Manager.  

The City Manager is the Chief Administrative Officer for the City responsible for overseeing and directing the day-to-day affairs of the City government under the direction and supervision of the City Council.¹ The City Manager serves as the administrative head of all City departments and is responsible for the efficient administration thereof. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Develop proposed policies and procedures for the day-to-day operations of the 
  municipal government for review and adoption by the City Council.  
• Implement policies and procedures adopted by the City Council.  
• Attend City Council Meetings as directed by the Council; make recommendations for adoption by the City Council. 
• Assist in preparation of meeting agendas and provide support to City Council as needed.  
• Prepare and submit a proposed annual budget for consideration by the City Council in consultation with Department Heads, City Treasurer, and others. 
• Mindful of the scope of authority granted by the City Charter, App. 7-9, to the
      Mayor, oversee and manage the City’s budget in a fiscally sound manner and keep 
      the City Council apprised of the City’s financial condition and its future needs. 
• Communicate with the City Attorney and copy the Mayor (or the City Council President when the Mayor is absent or has a conflict of interest) on all written or email correspondence with the City Attorney.  
• Develop in consultation with Department Heads a proposed comprehensive five-year capital improvement plan and strategic plan for annual review and approval by the City Council.  
• Identify grant sources and present proposals to the Council for consideration; if approved by the Council, oversee preparation of grant application; oversee administration of grants received to ensure all funding and operational requirements of the grant sources are met and that all grants applied for comply and are consistent with the City’s policies and procedures.
• Serve as the City Council’s liaison with regional, state, and federal agencies; keep the City Council and other City Boards apprised of the activities of and interactions with these agencies as they relate to the operations and needs of the City.  
• Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, collect delinquent taxes and sewer and water fees.
  ¹In accordance with the City of Newport Charter, App. §7-7, the Mayor is a member of the City Council. All references to City Council herein also refer to the Mayor.
• As directed by and as approved and authorized by the City Council, execute deeds, deeds of trust, easements, releases, and other instruments binding the City to financial obligations. 
• Implement negotiated agreements for the City Council. 
• Appoint, excepting as otherwise provided for by the City Charter, all officers, and employees of the City; perform the duties of such officers and employees as designated by the City Council. 
• Administer and enforce the ordinances and bylaws of the City of Newport whose enforcement is not specifically delegated to others. 
• Research, analyze, and make recommendations for cost effective improvements in City operations. 
• Prepare and submit to the Council such reports as may be required by the Council, or as the Council may deem advisable to submit.  
• Assist with City functions and perform any other duties as determined or directed by the City Council. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Demonstrated experience managing personnel and leading management team; ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employees, colleagues, stakeholders, and community partners. 
• Demonstrated understanding of finance and financial management; ability to manage the City’s budget and resources effectively.  
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to interact professionally with citizens, including irate citizens, employees, colleagues, stakeholders, other local, state, and federal officials, contractors, and community partners, and to articulate ideas and plans in a clear, concise, and compelling way; ability to listen and respond to feedback, ensuring that employees and stakeholders feel heard and valued.  
• Demonstrated ability to develop clear and comprehensive strategic plan for City’s growth and development.  
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems quickly and effectively.  
• Demonstrated understanding of municipal law, labor regulations, community engagement, and intergovernmental relations. 

Other Job Characteristics: 

• The City Manager is an exempt employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They may be required to work more than forty (40) hours per week and must have the ability to effectively manage their time. The City Manager may be required to prepare for and attend evening meetings. 
• The City Manager works primarily in an office setting.
  
• Travel may be required to and from meetings, trainings, and to other activities; City Manager must provide own transportation, unless use of a City-owned vehicle is approved by the City Council and available for use.
• The City Manager will receive a competitive salary and benefits in accordance with the City of Newport’s Personnel Policy.  

DISCLAIMERS 

The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and should not be considered a comprehensive statement of duties, activities, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is neither an employment contract nor a promise of work for any specific length of time. This job description is subject to amendment by the City Council from time to time. This job description supersedes all prior City Manager job descriptions.  

The City of Newport is an equal opportunity employer. 

Adopted by City Council and Approved by Mayor on October 16, 2023.