Borough Manager

Ketchikan Gateway Borough; Ketchikan (AK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERS retirement

Health, vision and dental benefits

PTO 22 days

11 paid holidays + 2 floating holidays

Job summary

Ketchikan Gateway Borough is seeking a Borough Manager to serve as the chief administrative officer, implementing Assembly policy and supervising all departments, except the Borough Clerk and Borough Attorney. The Manager exercises budget authority and reports on finances and operations.

The role emphasizes ethical leadership, availability, community involvement, and nonpartisanship. Qualifications include a background in public administration and substantial municipal government experience.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of local government laws and personnel practices.
• Expertise in municipal financial management and capital budgeting.
• Knowledge of labor law and collective bargaining.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Attends Assembly meetings, briefs members, and supports policy decisions.
• Provides regular financial updates and managerial analysis to the Assembly.
• Communicates with School District and reports fiscal impacts.
• Ensures compliance with Borough Code and oversees policy implementation.
• Directs capital improvement planning and manages project delivery.
• Represents the Borough with external partners and approves contracts.
• Collaborates on planning and legislation and coordinates interdepartmental reviews.

Skills

Local government law knowledge

Financial management

Labor law knowledge

Organizational and analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration

MPA or MBA preferred

Job description

The Borough Manager is the chief administrative officer of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Assembly. Under KGBC 2.60.010 the administrative power of the Borough is vested in the Manager, with the powers and duties set out in AS 29.20.500 and the Borough Code. The Manager implements the policy adopted by the Assembly, and work may be performed by the incumbent or delegated to subordinate staff.

AUTHORITY AND SCOPE:

Administrative head. Supervision and control of all administrative departments, officers, and employees, except the Borough Clerk, the Borough Attorney, and their staff, and except the School District; and implementation of all policy set by the Assembly. Personnel authority. Appoints, supervises, evaluates, and disciplines department heads and senior management, and oversees that process for all employees through subordinate managers. Establish administrative policies and procedures.

Budget authority. Prepares and submits the annual budget and the capital improvement program, and administers both as adopted by the Manager; in accordance with the Borough Code of Ordinances.

Reporting. Reports regularly to the Mayor and Assembly on Borough finances, operations, and administrative activities, and performs other duties the Assembly assigns.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assembly support. Attends all Assembly meetings, prepares agendas, briefs members on pending items, and provides analysis the Assembly needs to make informed policy decisions; and serves as liaison between borough staff and the assembly.
• Financial reporting. Provides regular financial updates and managerial analysis of Borough operations and programs, with reports and presentations to the Assembly.
• School District. Communicate regularly with School District administration and School Board members. Keeps the Assembly apprised of District activities, budget requests, funding, and facility matters, and reports the fiscal impact of District decisions on the Borough.
• Code Compliance. Ensures Borough operations are conducted in accordance with Borough Code and oversees enforcement of Code requirements.
• Capital improvement program. Directs the planning, design, budgeting, and delivery of capital improvement projects Borough-wide, including School District facilities. Defines scope, allocates resources, resolves problems, and reports progress to the Assembly.
• Intergovernmental and external relations. Works with the Borough lobbyist and with state and federal officials on Borough priorities, confers with the City of Ketchikan and other municipalities, and represents the Borough with boards, commissions, and civic organizations.
• Contracts and consultants. Participates in the evaluation and selection of contractors and consultants and monitors performance for timely and quality completion.
• Planning and legislation. Participates in local and regional planning, monitors pending state and federal legislation affecting the Borough, and oversees compliance with new legislation.
• Internal operations. Meets regularly with department heads and key management staff, coordinates review of interdepartmental processes, and resolves public inquiries unresolved at the department level.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE MANAGER

Ethical. Promotes transparent and open government, sets the example through conduct and work habits, and is of unquestioned personal and professional integrity.

Available. Accessible to the Assembly, staff, and the public, and willing to devote substantial time to meetings and activities occurring beyond normal business hours.

Involved. Present in the community and engaged with the School District, the City of Ketchikan, and civic organizations. Communicative. Keeps the Assembly fully informed, follows through on inquiries, and communicates clearly in writing, in person, and in the public forum. Accountable. Delegates while accepting ultimate responsibility, makes timely decisions, and defends or explains the reasons for them.

Nonpartisan. Politically astute and non-partisan. Works effectively with people holding diverse views, accepts the decisions of the majority and carries them forward, and deals fairly with represented and non-represented employees.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of laws related to local government and personnel, and of modern budgetary principles and practices.
• Expertise in the financial management of local government, including capital improvement program planning, taxation, bonding alternatives and limits, and traditional and innovative revenue sources, within a framework of conservative fiscal values.
• Knowledge of labor law, with demonstrated experience in personnel administration and collective bargaining.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills; effective oral and written communication; and proficiency with computers and other electronic and digital devices.

Requirements

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Primarily office work with extended computer use and writing by hand. Requires hearing, close and distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Occasional standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and handling of objects, tools, or controls. Will attend breakfast, lunch, and evening meetings throughout the year, and travels by air and/or water to out-of-town meetings and functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduate of an accredited four-year college or university with a major in public or business administration. An MPA or MBA is preferred.

Minimum of seven years of experience in supervisory, managerial, director, or lead capacity in municipal or general government is desired.

Any combination of related education and/or related experience will be considered if the candidate possesses the demonstrated municipal experience.

Example Of Comprehensive Benefit Package Offered With Employment:

• Participation in the Alaska Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS);
• Health, vision and dental benefits provided by the Borough through Meritain Health effective the first of the month following your start date. The premium associated with health benefits are $25 per pay period, however, the Borough encourages participation in the Healthy Merits Wellness Program, which allows each covered employee to “buy back” the anticipated premium through wellness participation.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued at a rate of 176 hours or 22 days per year for the first two years and thereafter at higher levels set out in the Borough Code (KGBC 3.30.030). (PTO accrual rates are negotiated for the Manager with offer of employment).
• Eleven paid holidays every year and two annual floating holidays.