 City Administrator Position Profile The Community The City of Worthington is located in southwestern Minnesota in Nobles County. Over 11,000 residents live in this progressive community. One of Worthington’s greatest natural community assets is 880-acre Lake Okabena located in the center of the city and surrounded by numerous parks and recreation areas. A diverse population, excellent schools and health care facilities, and an abundance of outdoor recreation and family activities make Worthington a great place to live. The city boasts a healthy retail sector with some of the best shopping in the area with over 30 restaurants - many representing foods from several ethnic cultures. The city is home to Swift Pork Processing, an international company that employs 2,200 workers. Manufacturing companies include Highland Manufacturing, an industry leader in manufactured housing with 200 employees; Bedford Industries, a worldwide leader in the packaging industry with 160 employees; and Intervet, a manufacturer of vaccines with 100 employees. The city recently developed a Bio-Science Industrial Park, which features a Bio-Science Spec Building, and is home to Prairie Holdings Group, a regional agricultural bio-science employer of approximately 200 employees. Other prominent employers include Worthington Independent School District #518 with 360 employees and Worthington Regional Hospital has 300 employees. Worthington is located at the crossroads of major highways including Interstate 90, U.S. Hwy. 59, and State Hwy. 60. The Worthington Municipal Airport features two runways and a recently renovated terminal building. Driving time to the Twin Cities is approximately three hours, Sioux Falls, South Dakota one hour, and a fun visit to the Iowa Lakes area is about 45 minutes away. Worthington is proudly known as the City of Brotherhood for an award received in 1958 for supplying emergency aid to war torn Crailsheim, Germany. Since the years following World War II, the City of Worthington has maintained a camaraderie with the people of Crailsheim and participates in an annual student exchange program and enjoys one of the oldest partnerships in the world. Education and Health Care School District 518 serves 2,200 students and is comprised of an elementary school, middle school and high school. Two parochial schools St. Mary’s Catholic school serves students K-6, and Worthington Christian serves students K-8. Minnesota West Community and Technical College is located on 63 acres near the shore of Lake Okabena. Over 1100 full-time and part-time students attended the Worthington Campus last year. The Worthington Regional Hospital is a city-owned 66 bed general acute hospital that is staffed by a multi-specialty medical staff and approximately 300 employees. The hospital is currently adding a $5 million oncology/radiation center. Built by the City of Worthington in 1951, the hospital is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees, which is appointed by the City Council. The hospital serves patients from a large area of southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa. The Worthington Specialty Clinic is owned and operated by McKennan Hospital of Sioux Falls with 16 physicians providing primary and secondary care in general health and specialty clinic settings. The Sioux Valley Worthington Clinic is staffed by physicians and nurse practitioners who specialize in family practice. Specialized services include on-site laboratory testing, mammography and radiology. On-site specialty physicians, outreach includes cardiology, OB/GYN, general surgery, rehab medicine and nephrology. The clinic is a member of the Sioux Valley Hospitals & Health Systems. Crossroad Care Center and South Shore Care Center provide nursing home care. Worthington has three assisted living facilities – Golden Horizons, Meadows of Worthington, and Prairie House. Parks and Recreation Nearly 30 parks and community facilities provide residents with a variety of recreational opportunities including baseball and softball diamonds in three locations, soccer fields, outdoor tennis, a skateboard park, a hockey arena, and golfing facilities at the Worthington Country Club and the Prairie View Golf Course. A newly created Veteran’s Memorial Park is being constructed on the south side of the lake. The Worthington Municipal Pool features a 200-foot waterslide. Fishing is a popular activity in the many area lakes, with nearby State Parks offering an abundance of outdoor activities with biking, hiking and snowmobile trails. The YMCA features an indoor track, pool, gym and handball/racquetball courts, and the MC Fitness serves area residents. On Wednesday evenings during the summer months, the Amazing Worthington City Band performs at the bandshell at Chautauqua Park, and plays, concerts, musicals, and variety shows are offered throughout most of the year at Memorial Auditorium. The turkey and poultry industry had long played a role in Worthington’s economy and history. In the 1930s, the owner of the E.O. Olson turkey plant initiated an annual fall festival to offer thanks to area turkey farmers for their patronage and King Turkey Day was initiated. The first festival included a parade and an invitation to political leaders to address the crowd. For years a visit to King Turkey Day in Worthington became an essential for candidates aspiring to higher political office. The list of featured speakers has included Lyndon Johnson, Robert Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey and Richard Nixon. Today, events include turkey race competitions drawing spectator crowds of 30,000. Other community social events include the International Festival, Christmas at Pioneer Village, Worthington Concert Series, Farm and Home Show, Nobles County Fair, Auto Racing, Chamber of Commerce Mixers, Snowcross and the Windsurfing Regatta - home of the 2003 United States Windsurfing Championship. City Services Police and fire protection is provided by a 24-member police force and 36 trained volunteer firefighters. The Police Department shares facilities with the Nobles County Sheriff’s Office, District Court, Nobles County Jail, and County Attorney’s Office at the Prairie Justice Center. The city owns and operates a municipal liquor store, the Prairie View Golf Links and the Memorial Auditorium. The control and management of Worthington Public Utilities is committed to a five member Water and Light Commission which is appointed by the City Council. Worthington Public Utilities provides water, wastewater and electric service to all developed areas of the city and is managed by a General Manager of Utilities who reports to the Water and Light Commission. The Organization Worthington has a home rule charter form of government with a Mayor and five Council members. The Mayor and Council serve on a part-time basis for four-year staggered terms. Departments include Administrative Services, Engineering, Community Development, Public Safety, Public Works and Airport. Several appointed Boards and Commissions serve the Mayor and Council. The city has 91 full-time employees, 17 part-time employees and 83 seasonal employees. There are three unions. The 2006 budget is $35 million. Administrative Organization  The Position The City Administrator provides overall direction and coordination for city planning, administration and operations to ensure the effective provision of municipal services to the citizens of Worthington, consistent with the goals and objectives established by the City Council. The City Administrator supervises the following positions: City Clerk/HR Assistant, Finance Director, Liquor Store Manager, Public Safety Director, City Engineer, Community and Economic Development Director, Superintendent of Public Works, Golf Course Manager, and Memorial Auditorium Manager. Specific duties include: • Work closely with Directors and Managers and monitor functional activities to ensure effective service to the public and efficient conduct of all municipal affairs. • Supervise the Director of Finance in activities related to accounting and financial systems. Coordinate with the Director of Finance to monitor all expenditures against approved budgets. • Responsible for hiring, discipline and termination of all city employees. Negotiate labor union agreements and conduct performance evaluations. • Oversee the preparation of all data required for City Council meetings and provide advice and counsel to the City Council in their policy-making role. • Work with the Community and Economic Development Director to guide and implement long-term plans. • Oversee communications activities to ensure the public is informed of city plans and operations. • Represent the city in local, regional and state meetings and functions. Background and Experience Candidates for the City Administrator position will possess a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and a minimum of five years municipal management experience. Highly qualified candidates will possess: • Experience in staff supervision including performance evaluation, staff development and labor union activities. • Experience in strategic planning and goal setting. Specific experience in community visioning and comprehensive land use planning. • Background in economic development/redevelopment and housing development. • Knowledge of various municipal financing techniques including Tax Increment Financing and grants. Familiarity with local funding options. • Experience in budgeting and financial forecasting. • Involvement in professional and community organizations. • Understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity. • Demonstrated experience in maintaining an awareness of technology improvements. • Experience in the annexation process, planning and zoning. Management Capabilities • Provide thorough research on issues presented to the City Council. Establish regularly scheduled Council workshops. • Regard all Councilmembers equally when providing information and recommendations. Present the pros and cons. • Possess a strong commitment to good public service. • Possess positive leadership, motivation and team building skills to encourage staff productivity through time management, goal orientation and priority setting. • Enjoy working in a visible public position and comfortable with making public presentations. Community and Position Priorities • Coordinate with the area development corporation to develop a plan for economic development. Attracting businesses is a high priority, with the Bio-Science Park as one of the focus activities. • Work with the regional housing agency to develop additional housing options. • Implement plans to develop a community center that will provide facilities for senior use and feature multi-purpose meeting rooms. • Implement the program for the use of the local option sales tax to fund the community center and Memorial Auditorium renovations. • Evaluate annexation potential of properties currently adjacent to municipal boundaries. • Evaluate organizational issues and succession planning for staff. • Maximize partnership opportunities with the County and Townships. • Evaluate the need and feasibility for a regular newsletter to residents and businesses. • Develop a plan to adequately fund the Capital Improvement Program. • Strengthen housing code enforcement and determine adequate staffing needs to maintain the program. Announcement City Administrator; Worthington, MN (pop. 11,000). Salary range: $80s to $90s. Located on Lake Okabena in southwestern Minnesota, Worthington is a full-service community with a diverse population, excellent schools and health care facilities, abundant recreation, and a strong retail and industrial environment. Position requires a four year degree (Master’s preferred) and 5+ years experience as a municipal manager. Qualified candidates will have experience in strategic planning, economic development and redevelopment, housing development, and appreciation for working in a culturally rich city. Position Profile available. Send resume by 8/28/06.
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