The Town of Wilton is seeking applicants for the position of Town Administrator.
The successful candidate will be responsible for administrative functions relative to the daily operation of departments under the supervision of the First Selectman, including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology/Systems, Land Use, Assessment, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Social Services, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation. Administrative areas of responsibility will include budget development, performance measurement and evaluation, grant administration, program review, insurance administration, risk management, and purchasing. The Town Administrator will assist the First Selectman and the Board of Selectmen as an advisor and informational resource. The Town Administrator will carry out Board of Selectmen policies and special projects assigned by the First Selectman.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, or similar degree. Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) degree or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) preferred;
- Minimum of twenty (20) years of executive-level management experience in government or the private sector.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of supervisory experience in managing complex organizations, five (5) of which include simultaneous supervision of multiple departments.
- Minimum ten (10) years of experience working on or with municipal boards, commissions, and committees; and
- Strong knowledge of Excel and other Microsoft products and experience with enterprise systems. Knowledge of Munis system preferred but not required.
The successful candidate will possess excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills, and be able to exercise considerable independent judgment while performing duties. The successful candidate must be hands-on and available for evening board meetings, either virtually or in person.
Salary is competitive and reflective of the scope of responsibilities and the successful candidate’s experience, with a starting salary range of $180,000 to $200,000. Benefits include the Connecticut Partnership Plan 2.0 for health and a defined contribution retirement plan. A background investigation and post-offer, pre-employment physical exam and drug test are required. Equal opportunity employer (EOE).
Position open until filled. Please e-mail cover letter, resume, and completed Town employment application to Sarah.Taffel@wiltonct.gov. Scroll down to view detailed position description.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Staff of Administrative Departments under the Supervision of the First Selectman.
The qualifications set forth below are the optimal ones for this position. The Town of Wilton reserves the right to select any applicant who we, in our sole discretion, feel can most suitably perform the functions of the Town Administrator notwithstanding the absence of the optimal qualifications.
SUMMARY:
The Town Administrator is appointed by the Board of Selectmen and serves as a professional manager. Under the direction of the First Selectman, the Town Administrator is responsible for staff management and administrative functions relative to the daily operation of departments under the supervision of the First Selectman, including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology/Systems, Land Use, Assessment, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Social Services, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation. Administrative areas of supervisory responsibility include budget development, performance measurement and evaluation, financial accounting and variance analysis, information systems and database management, records retention management, major municipal development project oversight and management, Town facilities management oversight, grant administration, program review, insurance administration, risk management, and purchasing. The Town Administrator assists the First Selectman and the Board of Selectmen as an advisor and informational resource. The Town Administrator carries out Board of Selectmen policies and special projects assigned by the First Selectman.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Work with the First Selectman, the Board of Selectmen, and Town department heads to ensure Town services are delivered at the level residents expect at the lowest possible cost.
- Lead modernization and process improvement of Town operations.
- Supervise daily operations of administrative departments under the First Selectman’s authority, including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology/Systems, Assessment, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Land Use, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Social Services.
- Fill in as acting department head during a department head vacancy.
- Ensure that Human Resources effectively recruits, develops, and evaluates staff. Oversee Human Resources policy and performance reviews.
- Orient newly-elected First Selectman and new department heads when appropriate (i.e., how Wilton conducts business, past practice, regulations, and Charter-defined roles and responsibilities);
- Assist with labor negotiations and collective bargaining which are led by Town Counsel, Human Resources, and the First Selectman.
- Execute Board of Selectmen polices, and special projects assigned by the First Selectman.
- Attend and participate in all Board of Selectmen and other Board meetings and ensure items on the agenda are well prepared.
- Partner with the First Selectman and Chief Financial Officer to develop and recommend the annual operating and capital budgets to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance. Partner with the Chief Financial Officer to support the First Selectman’s presentation of the budget at the Annual Town Meeting.
- Partner with Finance to monitor and report on financial performance and progress against approved budgets.
- Identify opportunities for expense savings or revenue enhancement.
- Work with the First Selectman and Chief Financial Officer to ensure the Town of Wilton maintains a Triple A Bond rating.
- Recommend capital project improvements, identify financial requirements and oversee projects.
- Oversee planning and execution of major municipal development projects.
- Coordinate long-term facilities maintenance planning.
- Manage town purchasing, vendor relations, and procurement processes.
- Oversee insurance and risk management programs.
- Pursue and administer grants that support town initiatives.
- Modernize town government through technology.
- Manage Information Technology/Systems staff and Information Technology/Systems infrastructure, cybersecurity reviews, and upgrades including backup and disaster recovery plans.
- Collaborate with the First Selectman, Board of Selectmen, department heads, and commissions to implement the Plan of Conservation and Development.
- Identify opportunities for shared services and/or cost savings with the Wilton Public Schools and other municipalities.
- Communicate effectively with town officials, employees, and residents and handle resident queries and complaints about town services or operations.
- Monitor legislative proposals for impact on municipalities and provide updates and make recommendations for state legislation, town ordinances and fee structures that can affect municipal operations; and
- Serve as liaison to commissions, public agencies, and community partners. Serve as substitute or carry out delegated activities by First Selectman in municipal associations such as the Connecticut Council of Small Towns and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to supervise financial administration, grant administration, contract administration, land use administration, personnel administration, social services administration, public works administration, parks and recreation administration, pension administration, information technology/systems management, risk management, budgeting, financial reporting, capital planning, procurement, and debt issuance;
- Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the functions of municipal government and the interactions of local, state and federal government.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Connecticut and Federal laws, as they relate to municipalities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to supervise municipal finance functions, including knowledge of GAAP, GAAS and GASB financial reporting requirements. Knowledge of Munis system preferred but not required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to supervise municipal process best practices, improvement recommendations, and implementation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to supervise the municipal capital management process, including bonded debt management, capital advisory function, rating agency process support, and bond funding processes.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to supervise information technology/systems, including development of integrated systems, troubleshooting, networking strategy, and implementation of enterprise management systems.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in real estate investment management and capital project processes, including architectural plans, development of construction budget, selection of architects and general contractors, and project management through completion.
- Demonstrated superior analytical, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills.
- Experience managing or supervising multiple administrative functions and departments.
- Experience identifying and securing grants.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and employ critical and judicial discretion as required.
- Ability to represent the First Selectman at meetings of boards and commissions and public agencies.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with town department heads, town employees, elected officials, appointed board and commission members, Town Counsel, Board of Education members and employees, other Connecticut municipal town administrators and managers, and the general public.
- Ability to assist the First Selectman in identifying and prioritizing Town needs and participate in the development and implementation of long-range plans, goals, objectives, and policies; and
- Ability to identify problems and apply creative and innovative solutions.
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, or similar degree. Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) degree or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) preferred.
- Minimum of twenty (20) years of executive-level management experience in government or the private sector.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of supervisory experience in managing complex organizations, five (5) of which include simultaneous supervision of multiple departments.
- Minimum ten (10) years of experience working on or with municipal boards, commissions, and committees; and
- Strong knowledge of Excel and other Microsoft products and experience with enterprise systems. Knowledge of Munis system preferred but not required.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
- This position cannot be held by an elected official.
- Based on mutual agreement, this position is subject to an employment agreement.
- Successful passage of a pre-employment physical, including test for drugs, may be required as a condition of employment with the Town of Wilton; and
- The employee shall not constitute a threat to his/her own health or safety or that of others in the workplace.