Town Manager

Gulfshoresal; Town of Vermont (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Fair Haven is seeking an experienced Town Manager to lead a historic community on the Vermont/New York border. You will unite staff, manage conflicts constructively, and engage openly with residents to guide growth and public service delivery.

The role oversees a $4.4M budget across Police, Fire, Water, Sewer, Highway, and Town Clerk operations, reporting to a non-partisan Selectboard as CAO. Residency is desired but not required.

Qualifications

• Prior municipal experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, government, or related field; master’s preferred.
• Residency desired but not required.
• Experience with budgeting and capital planning.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a $4.4M budget and town operations.
• Lead Police, Fire, Water, Sewer, Highway, Transfer Station, Recreation, Accounting, and Town Clerk.
• Serve as Chief Administrative Officer under a non-partisan Selectboard.
• Engage with residents and departments; build staff teams.

Skills

Municipal finance

Budgeting

Development planning

Capital planning

Labor relations

Infrastructure maintenance oversight

Grant writing

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration / Government / related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Town Manager – Fair Haven, Vermont

Fair Haven (pop. 2,736) seeks an experienced, diplomatic, and steady Town Manager to lead a historic, tight‑knit community with strong civic identity and significant growth potential. The ideal candidate is an effective communicator, strategic planner, and team‑builder who can unite staff, manage conflict constructively, and engage openly with residents and departments.

The Town Manager oversees a $4.4M budget and operations including Police, Fire (volunteer), Water, Sewer, Highway, Transfer Station, Recreation, Accounting, and Town Clerk. The town employs 20 full‑time and up to 67 part‑time staff. The Manager serves as Chief Administrative Officer under a non‑partisan five‑member Selectboard.

Priority skills are municipal finance and budgeting, development and capital planning, labor relations, infrastructure maintenance oversight, grant writing, and strong relationship‑building.

Fair Haven is located on the Vermont/New York border in Rutland County. It is a community with deep rural roots along with recent infrastructure investments, Fair Haven offers opportunities in housing development, economic revitalization, and expanded use of public spaces. Challenges include a limited tax base, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger long‑term planning and communication.

Qualifications

Prior municipal experience, bachelor’s degree in public administration, Government, or related field required; master’s preferred. Residency desired but not required.

Compensation

$110,000–$130,000 depending on experience, plus town benefit package as per personnel policy.. Background and reference checks required.