Special Projects Director

City-of-Golden; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 179,000 - 234,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Golden seeks a Special Project Director to support the City Manager and city projects by coordinating special activities as directed. This temporary role is 20 hours per week and runs from September 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

The position pays $130–$170 per hour, dependent on experience, and is not eligible for benefits. The app window closes on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents related to municipal governance.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Experience advising on administrative structure and workflow within a city government.

Responsibilities

• Provides administrative and management staff assistance to the City Manager; conducts analysis of municipal policies involving organization, procedures, finance, and services.
• Assists in developing, planning, and implementing City goals and objectives; recommends and helps administer policies and procedures; makes recommendations for improvement.
• Reviews and analyzes City policies, operating practices, and procedures; conducts research and develops recommendations on work methods, programs, and services; prepares and presents staff reports and correspondence.
• Advises on organizational design, division of responsibilities, and administrative structure within the City Manager's Office and assigned divisions.
• Provides project management support for capital projects and other initiatives as assigned by the City Manager, including scheduling, coordination among departments and outside partners, and status reporting.
• Completes technical, confidential, and/or complex special projects as assigned, and plans, directs, and coordinates assigned projects, including conferring with department heads to identify and resolve problems.
• Assists in the development and administration of the City Manager's Office and City Council annual budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures; recommends adjustments as appropriate.
• Identifies opportunities for operational efficiency and cost savings; conducts economic and market research relevant to assigned projects.
• Provides advisory support on organizational structure, staffing coordination, and workflow within assigned administrative divisions; provides business and leadership coaching and training support to City staff as requested.
• Provides day-to-day operational supervision and coordination of one or more administrative divisions within the City, as assigned, including work assignment, workflow oversight, and coordination of staff activities. This operational supervision does not include disciplinary authority.

Skills

Public speaking

Education

Masters in Public Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The City of Golden is looking for qualified Special Project Director candidates to join our team temporarily! This role supports the City Manager and City projects by coordinating special activities as directed by the City Manager.

This position will work 20 hours per week starting September 1, 2026 until December 31, 2026. This position is not eligible for benefits.

The hourly pay range for this role is $130 - $170 dependent on experience.

Applications will close on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 11:59pm

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides administrative and management staff assistance to the City Manager; conducts analysis of municipal policies involving organization, procedures, finance, and services.
• Assists in developing, planning, and implementing City goals and objectives; recommends and helps administer policies and procedures; makes recommendations for improvement.
• Reviews and analyzes City policies, operating practices, and procedures; conducts research and develops recommendations on work methods, programs, and services; prepares and presents staff reports and correspondence.
• Advises on organizational design, division of responsibilities, and administrative structure within the City Manager's Office and assigned divisions.
• Provides project management support for capital projects and other initiatives as assigned by the City Manager, including scheduling, coordination among departments and outside partners, and status reporting.
• Completes technical, confidential, and/or complex special projects as assigned, and plans, directs, and coordinates assigned projects, including conferring with department heads to identify and resolve problems.
• Assists in the development and administration of the City Manager's Office and City Council annual budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures; recommends adjustments as appropriate.
• Identifies opportunities for operational efficiency and cost savings; conducts economic and market research relevant to assigned projects.
• Provides advisory support on organizational structure, staffing coordination, and workflow within assigned administrative divisions; provides business and leadership coaching and training support to City staff as requested.
• Provides day-to-day operational supervision and coordination of one or more administrative divisions within the City, as assigned, including work assignment, workflow oversight, and coordination of staff activities. This operational supervision does not include disciplinary authority.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in public administration, business, management, political science or related field. Minimum six (6) years increasingly responsible experience in municipal government administration/management.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid driver’s license with good driving record.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret highly complex documents. Ability to interpret and apply City policies, procedures, laws and regulations relating to assigned activities. Ability to establish and maintain an effective and professional working relationship with City elected officials, City staff, local boards and commissions, business interests, and the public. Excellent public speaking skills.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, & decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of administrative and organizational theory, research analysis, public sector financing, municipal budgets, and local government structure and operations. Ability to independently perform complex administrative support services. Ability to research, analyze and evaluate assigned service delivery methods and techniques. Ability to understand the organization and operations of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Knowledge of Public administration principles and practices; research methods and techniques; legal research principles. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED

Standard office equipment, including computers.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hand and arms. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work environment is primarily in an office setting. Will be required to drive to various city offices and locations throughout the City of Golden.

The City of Golden is an Equal Opportunity Employer