GAHANNA

City Administrator• Innovative • Passionate • Thought-Leader

G

SUMMARY OF POSITIONThe City Administrator position for the City of Gahanna is an exciting opportunity for an innovative leader who is passionate and committed to engaging internal and external stakeholders, demonstrates proven knowledge and experience in local government and a management style that is adaptive to diverse audiences. The City Administrator will be a forward-thinker and problem solver committed to the core values, mission, and goals of the organization. The successful candidate will join the leadership team committed to providing excellent services to our customers, the businesses, and residents of the Gahanna community.

ABOUT GAHANNAFounded along the Big Walnut Creek in 1849 by John Clark, the name Gahanna is derived from a Native American word for three creeks joining into one. Today, Gahanna is comprised of 12.6 square miles, 326 lane miles, 750+ acres of parkland and 17.1 miles of trails. Named one of the ‘Best Hometown’s by Ohio Magazine, Gahanna offers a friendly environment, vibrant neighborhoods, unique historical attractions, opportunities for business, growth, high-quality restaurants and accommodations, eclectic shopping destinations and more.

Rich in heritage, Gahanna is one of the most diverse suburban cities in central Ohio. With a population of nearly 36,000, Gahanna maintains a low unemployment rate of 3.3 percent and a 1.5 percent municipal income tax rate.

The City of Gahanna is committed to fiscal accountability and transparency for its $72.2 million budget. The City has consistently demonstrated strong financial management and has maintained a AA1 rating by Moody’s Investors Service.

Currently, the City of Gahanna employs 150 full-time and 60 part-time staff. The City is committed to providing excellent customer service and through its Lean Gahanna initiatives, has been successful in streamlining its processes to increase efficiency of services delivered.

Only eight miles from downtown Columbus and minutes away from the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Gahanna is a choice location for business and leisure. With a strong emphasis on community, family, and fun, Gahanna offers a wide variety of seasonal and special events.

Gahanna’s Creekside Park features waterfalls, paddleboats, and nearly a dozen great restaurants and retailers. The area is also home to the annual Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival, Herb Day, Creekside Live Summer Concert Series ,Music in the Park Series and the Halloween-themed Creepside Festival!

CITY GOVERNMENTThe City has a strong Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor is popularly elected by the Citizens of Gahanna, serves a four-year term and is the head of the executive branch. Gahanna’s legislative body is comprised of a seven-member City Council. Four Council members are elected from geographic wards, and three are elected at-large, by all voters of the City. All members serve four-year terms. The City Attorney is an elected position who provides advice and legal representation to the City and all elected and appointed officials and employees of the City in their official capacities. As the judicial branch of government, the City Attorney prosecutes or defends all suits for and on behalf of the City. The City Attorney serves as legal counsel for the City’s various boards and commissions.

The Mayor appoints the City Administrator who has the responsibility for the daily operations of departments including Parks and Recreation, Public Service, Finance, Mayor’s Court and Information Technology. The Mayor directly oversees the Mayor’s Office, Marketing Communications, Police, Planning and Development and Human Resources. Neighboring townships provide Fire and EMS Services.

THE MAYOR’S COMMITMENT TO GAHANNAMayor Kneeland’s priorities for the City of Gahanna are:

• Leadbyexample.Themayor’sofficewillbetheleaderincustomerservice for the city

• Createandimplementanaggressiveroadandinfrastructureplanandasustainable parks and recreation program

• Implementandmaintainacomprehensiveeconomicdevelopmentplanthat will excel at business development, job creation and revenuegrowth

• Reviewallcitydepartmentsandreorganizewhereneededtoservethecommunity’s needs more effectively and develop ways to use resourcesmore efficiently

• Createandinstituteaplanwherealldepartmentswilldevelopstandard,proven processes to measure explicit, quantifiable and measurableresults

• ActivelyrecruitandencourageGahannaresidentstoapplyforkeycitypositions

• Reviewourtaxabatedareas(CRA’s)andtaxincrementfinancingdistricts(TIF’s)toconfirmthey’vemettheircommitmenttojobgrowthand tax revenue generation and adjust each agreement if commitmentsaren’t met

• Workwithcounciltoearmarkandcommitapercentageofthegeneralfund for specific uses such as roads and infrastructure

• Findnew,non-taxrevenueandimplementtightercostcontrols,costcontainment, and cost avoidance measures by encouragingcollaboration with other municipalities

• Establishneighborhoodcommissionstobuildbettercommunicationchannels with the city and its residents that will help guide planningand reinvestment strategies for all four wards of the city

THE POSITIONThe City Administrator is an unclassified, executive level position. Reporting to and serving at the will of the Mayor. The City Administrator works closely with elected officials and the community. The City Administrator serves as the operational head of the City and plans, organizes, directs and monitors strategic, City-wide and cross-functional projects.

Essential Functions Include:• Directsdepartmentheadsinplanning,organizing,coordinatingand

implementing various operational and administrative programs in the following areas: Parks and Recreation, Public Service, Mayor’s Court, Information Technology Department, and Finance Department.

• Monitorstheplanningandprogressofvariousprojectsandpolicy initiatives occurring within one or more City departments and follows up with department heads and team members to ensure that the Mayor’s priorities and projects are being implemented and met in a timely and appropriate manner.

• ProvidesexpertprofessionalassistanceandsupporttotheMayorona wide range of highly complex, sensitive and confidential topics; researches, analyzes and provides recommendations regarding important and wide-ranging policy areas. Briefs the Mayor on a regular basis.

• Coordinatesthedevelopmentofannualbudgetprioritiesandstrategies; Manages and oversees the budget development process. In collaboration with the Director of Finance, presents the annual budget and appropriation request to Council.

• Providesleadershipanddirectioninthedevelopmentofshortand long-range plans, including the City’s strategic planning process. Gathers, interprets and prepares data and performance information for studies, reports and recommendations. Proactively monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures against performance measurements.

• RepresentstheMayorasassignedatvariousexternalandadministrative meetings, events, negotiations, etc. that involve developers, government officials, elected officials, contractors, legal counsel, City council members, Directors, etc.

• OverseestheCity’sLeanGahannaprogram.Prioritizesandmanagesproject selection and execution. Develops ongoing trainingopportunities for City staff. Coordinates the annual Capital NeedsAssessment process with City departments. Leads senior staffdiscussions of priorities and projects and oversees the compilation ofthe annual Capital Needs Assessment report.

• CommunicateswithCouncilofficeandDepartmentHeadstocoordinateand manage the legislative timeline; on behalf of the Mayor, ensures allfacets of legislative recommendations have been included and reviewedby appropriate officials and employees in a timely manner.

• Carriesoutmanagerialresponsibilityinaccordancewithpolicies,procedures and applicable laws including: interviewing, hiring andtraining subordinate staff; planning, assigning and directing work; establishing deadlines; appraising performance; rewarding anddisciplining employees; coordinating, developing and approving stafftraining; approving leave requests; and addressing complaints andresolving problems.

• AttendsallregularlyandspeciallyscheduledCouncilmeetingsunlessexcused by the Mayor and represents the City at meetings with othergovernment units, agencies, commissions and associations as directedby the Mayor.

• ActsastheChiefNegotiatorinbargainingunitnegotiations.

• Commitstothehighestlevelofcustomerserviceandcommunitycollaboration by routinely seeking stakeholder input to effectivelyachieve City goals.

• HandlesescalatedissueswithintheMayor’sofficeinvolvingCouncil,citizens, government officials, business executives, staff, etc.; draftsresponses, calls, e-mails, etc. as appropriate.

Additional Important Functions:• StayabreastofpertinentCity,County,StateandFederallaws,

regulations, and ordinances.

• Holdsoneselfandsubordinatestafftohighethicalstandardsincompliance with Ohio Ethics Law.

• Maintainsmembershipinprofessionalorganizationsbeneficialtotheoperation of the city as determined by consensus with the mayor.

• Performsotherrelateddutiesasassigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATEThe ideal candidate will:

• Beademonstratedleaderandaforward-thinkingindividualwho possesses broad knowledge and experience in public administration.

• Beskilledatbuildingpartnershipswithgovernment,education,business and non-profit organizations to achieve city goals.

• Haveeffectivepeoplemanagementskillswithatrackrecordof accomplishments in a dynamic, diverse and highly engaged community comparable to Gahanna.

• Beresourceful,decisiveandstrategicwithadrivetomoveour community forward.

• Becapableofoperatingwithautonomy,integrityandaccountability.

• Bepoliticallyastute,butapolitical,withahighlevelofsophistication and cultural competence in working effectively with diverse stakeholders in political environments.

• Possessexcellentoralandwrittencommunicationskills,andbequick to understand how the city government functions and the critical role and impact it has within the community.

• Haveoutstandingorganizationaldevelopment,collaborationand consensus building skills as both a team leader and a team member.

• Havevision,driveanddeterminationtodeliverresultsthatareeffective and measurable.

• BeactivelyengagedwithintheGahannacommunity.Residencyin Gahanna is not required for this position.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION (MINIMUM REQUIREMENT)The following qualifications are guidelines, as the appointing authority has full discretion in filling this position:

EducationBachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field required; a Master’s degree is preferred.

ExperienceAt least five years of progressively responsible work experience as a City Administrator, or similarly situated role, in a medium to large full-service municipal government or comparable organization. Experience should include increasing organizational effectiveness through process improvement, performance management, and development of highly functioning and responsive teams. Proven experience as the chief negotiator in bargaining unit agreement negotiations and extensive experience in project management.

Licensure or Certification RequirementsCurrent and valid Ohio driver’s license with an acceptable driver’s abstract in order to meet criteria for insurability established by the City of Gahanna (Ifnotcurrentlyaresident,mustobtainwithin30daysofhire).

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is preferred. If not currently certified, is required to obtain within three years of employment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITSThe total salary range for this position is $102,829-$143,961 with a startingsalarywithintherangeoftheminimum($102,829)tothe midpoint($123,395).

The City of Gahanna offers a competitive benefits package including health/Rx coverage, a near-site wellness center, dental and vision coverage andparticipationinOPERS(OhioPublicEmploymentRetirementSystem).Employees are required to contribute 10% and the City 14% of base salary. Employees are fully vested after five years.

New employees begin to accrue vacation and sick leave upon hire. The base accrual for vacation is 13 days/year and sick time is 15 days/year. Vacation accrual increases incrementally with years of service and/or with prior public service covered by an Ohio public employment retirement system. In addition, the City offers ten paid holidays and two personal leave days.

APPLICATION PROCESSTo be considered, please apply on-line at www.gahanna.gov. Click on Find a Job, choose the City Administrator, then Apply. Log in with your governmentjobs.com credentials or create a new account.

Applications will require a cover letter and resume attachments. Applications received by Friday, February 16, 2018, will receive first consideration. The position is open until filled.

Information submitted as part of the employment application process may be subject to disclosure pursuant to a public records request. Please be aware that for public records, Ohio law requires us to disclose records even if you request to keep the information confidential. Incomplete applica-tions will not be considered.

For additional information or questions, please contact City of Gahanna HR at hr@gahanna.gov or 614-342-4457.

The City of Gahanna is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. No person in the service of the City or seeking appointment thereto shall be appointed, promoted, demoted, removed or advanced in any way or otherwise affected on any basis or for any reason other than qualification, merit and fitness. Discrimination against any person employed by the City or seeking employment with the City based on a protected status is expressly prohibited, except where such criteria is considered a bona fide occupational qualification. A protected status includes age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, sex(includingpregnancy),gender(includinggendernonconformityorstatusasatransgenderortranssexualindividual),militarystatus,politicalaffiliation,physicalormental disability, genetic information, or any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

C I T Y OF G A H A N N A

G

WWW.GAHANNA.GOV

@CityofGahanna | @GahannaParksRec | @GahannaPD