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Position Profile

The City of Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County in northern Iowa and is home to nearly 29,000 residents. As a trade center, Mason City has a strong business and industrial sector with home-grown businesses, large international firms, a healthy education system and top-quality health care facilities. Over 326,000 acres of the county are devoted to farmland with soybeans and corn as the major crops. An array of award-winning attractions, from puppets to prairie school architecture, museums to malls, and an assortment of festivals cater to residents and visitors.

Leading manufacturers include Kraft Foods, one of the major contributors to the economic development of the Mason City Area. In 2003, Kraft Foods expanded operations with the opening of a new 108,000 square-foot refrigerated distribution center. Other Fortune 500 companies include ConAgra Foods, Cargill and Alliant Energy, which in 2004 completed the $500 million Emery Generating Station – a natural gas-fired power plant. An additional benefit for the agriculture industry was the addition of Golden Grain Energy, a $56 million, state-of-the-art ethanol production facility.

The history of the region dates back to the Winnebago and Sioux tribes. The first settlers resided at Clear Lake and later a settlement was formed at the confluence of Winnebago River and Willow Creek that grew to become Mason City. Thriving mining, cement and brick industries shaped the city with the area becoming one of the largest producers of brick and tile in the early 1900s.

Mason City’s colorful historical events are commemorated annually in the community with a recreation of John Dillinger’s attempt to rob the First National Bank in 1934 and the remembrance of the tragic plane crash originating from the Mason City Airport that killed performers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson in 1959. Mason City is the boyhood home of Meredith Willson, composer of the Broadway musical "The Music Man" and the inspiration for River City in the popular musical of Broadway and Hollywood. His 1895 modified Queen Ann house has been restored and is open for tours. Mason City is also home to Prairie School Architecture with several buildings in the community designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the largest collection of Prairie School architecture unified in one setting.

The Charles MacNider Art Museum is north Iowa’s premiere cultural treasure, housed in a historic Tudor Revival mansion.

The museum features a permanent collection of 19th and 20th century American art including paintings, prints, photographs, and sculpture by some of America’s best-known artists as well as the largest collection of Bil Baird's puppets from “The Sound of Music”. Museum offerings include films, music, tours, art classes, the MacNider Arts Festival, receptions, lectures by artists and curators, and other art-related events.


Recreation and Culture

Recreational opportunities in Mason City and the surrounding area offer something for everyone. Hikers enjoy the Winnebago Trail and the River City Green Belt Trail system, which extends from the city to the Lime Creek Nature Center nestled atop the limestone bluffs of the Winnebago River. Once at Lime Creek Nature Center, you will discover over eight miles of trails to enjoy, through prairie, forest and wetland habitats.
The city operates several parks and organized sporting events and other outdoor activities include baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis or golf or skateboarding at the Ray Rorick Skate Park. Swimming is available year around at one of the area pools or the newly renovated Mason City Aquatic Center. Opportunities for fishing, boating horseback riding and camping are found in the Mason City area. Ice hockey and figure skating are available at the North Iowa Ice Arena, Marian Park Ice Rink in Clear Lake and other county venues. The area’s extensive trail system is perfect for cross-country skiing during the winter months, and East Park is the ideal destination for sledding. The areas around Clear Lake, McIntosh Woods, and Wilkinson Pioneer in Rock Falls or Shellrock River draw plenty of snowmobile enthusiasts. The North Iowa Fair Facility features the Price Motors I-35 Speedway.

The Mason City Family YMCA offers aerobic classes; fitness, personal and strength training; racquetball; swimming; Tae Kwon Do; tumbling; and volleyball. There are movie theatres and bowling alleys in both Mason City and Clear Lake, archery at the Mohawk Indoor Archery Club, and indoor tennis courts at the North Iowa Tennis Club.

The largest community celebration is the North Iowa Band Festival held in May. The North Iowa Area Community College Performing Arts Series regularly fills a 1,200-seat auditorium bringing local and national talent in award-winning musicals, special holiday events, lectures and concerts. Mason City Community Theatre performs five productions annually and the Stebens Children’s Theater showcases the talent of area youth during the school year.


Education and Health Care

Mason City Community School District students may attend the early childhood center, one of six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and one alternative high school in the public school system. In addition, private Christian-based schools are available for all ages. The Mason City Seventh Day Adventist School teaches students in grades three through seven. The Newman Catholic School System educates students from preschool through high school.

North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) offers two year degrees and vocational certificate programs. NIACC is home to the Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center which helps launch and support new and existing businesses and manages technology and business programs. Hamilton College is the oldest business college continuously operating in Iowa and offers a variety of Associate degrees. Both Buena Vista University and Drake University operate satellite locations in Mason City.

The Mason City Public Library provides comprehensive library services and features the Lee P. Loomis Archive, which contains histories of Mason City. Youth Services assists children and young adults in reading with special and seasonal programming. The Lifelong Learning Center assists patrons of all ages with computer classes and provides free Internet access to library card holders. Outreach is available, to provide books to homebound citizens and institutions. The library participates in county, regional and statewide library programs.

Mercy Medical Hospital in Mason City has been named a Top Ten Hospital three consecutive years. The facility employs over 275 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. As the hub of Mercy Health Network-North Iowa, Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa manages nine rural primary care hospitals and owns 38 primary care specialty clinics. The Mason City Clinic is located on Mercy’s East Campus and offers an array of medical specialists. Physicians travel to rural communities throughout a 15-county area providing over 100 half-day specialty clinics.

An engaged citizenry is evident in community programs and cooperative initiatives. The Youth Task Force is appointed by the Mayor and City Council and has strong local support in providing programs to guide the city’s young people. Advocates of strong, organized neighborhoods are aided by the city’s Neighborhood Services Division and focus on solving neighborhood problems, developing a vision for neighborhoods, and implementing neighborhood improvements.


The Organization

The city has a Mayor/Council form of government with a City Administrator reporting to the City Council. Public safety is managed by the Police Department and Fire Department. City Services include water, sewer and collection of refuse and recyclables. City departments include: Attorney, City Clerk, Community Development, Engineering, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Operations and Maintenance, Parks, Police, Recreation and Volunteer Coordinator. The Neighborhood Services Division provides Mason City Public Transit, Neighborhood Inspection Services and Animal Control.


The Police Department

The Police Department has an authorized full-time staff of 49 police officers, 9 communications officers, 2 utility workers, a records supervisor, one records/evidence technician, one parking enforcement worker, and one administrative assistant. Additional part-time employees are assigned to communications, records and school crossings. The Communications Center was combined with the County Sheriff’s Department in 2006.

The 2006 Police Department budget is $4.2 million.

The Department is organized into the following sections:

Administrative Bureau

The Administrative Bureau which oversees the management of several support services. Among these services are parking enforcement, police records, school crossing guards, building and vehicle maintenance, purchasing and personnel functions.

Records Division – Manage records, crime reports, fingerprinting, state law enforcement computer system and digital media.

Parking Enforcement – Issue parking citations in the central business district, perform data entry and collect fines.
Crossing Guards – Assist elementary school children.


Operations Bureau

The Captain serves as Bureau Commander and manages a total of 46 police officer positions under
the Operations Bureau that consists of:

Patrol Division – 29 patrol officers and six supervisory officers

Investigations Division – Divided into general criminal and drug investigations. Four criminal investigators are assigned to
serious criminal cases. Two drug investigators are assigned to the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force that partners with the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Office of Community Services – A community partnership to promote safe and secure neighborhoods. Officers are involved in public education, Neighborhood Watch, Citizen Police Academy, bicycle patrol, community policing and problems solving.

Three Community Services Officers (CSO), one DARE Officer and two School Resource Officers (SRO).

Reserve Unit – The Department is authorized to employ up to 20 police reserve officers, who have full arrest authority.


The Position

The Police Chief works under the direction of the City Administrator and supervises all police department staff directly or through subordinate supervisors. Specific duties include:

• Plan and implement a law enforcement program for the City to carry out the policies and goals of City Management and the City Council.

• Promote the concepts of Community Oriented Policing and Problem Oriented Policing in all divisions of the police department.

• Seek out opportunities to partner with citizens, neighborhood groups and other departments within the city government, other agencies and the business community.

• Coordinate information and work accomplished by officers and assign officers to special investigations. Assign personnel to shifts or working units.

• Supervise and coordinate the preparation of the annual department budget. Direct implementation of budget plans and review specifications for new or replaced equipment.

• Direct the development and maintenance of systems, records and legal documentation of police department operations.

• Handle grievances, maintain discipline and conduct of assigned personnel.

• Prepare and submit reports to the City Administrator regarding department activities.

• Meet with elected and appointed officials, other law enforcement officials, community and business representatives.


Background and Experience

Candidates for the Police Chief position must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice, public administration or a closely related field plus ten years experience in police work, five of which are a command position. Completion of the basic law enforcement training academy or equivalent is required. Completion of an advanced program, e.g., FBI Academy, Southern Police Institute, Northwestern University, etc is highly desirable. The Police Chief must maintain a residence within the corporate limits of Mason City within six months of employment.

Qualified candidates will have the following knowledge and experience:

• Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of current police administration methodologies.

• Police Chief experience from a smaller department or command position experience from a larger department.

• Familiarity with a union environment and collective bargaining activities.

• Familiar with Civil Service requirements.

• Experience working in a socially and economically diverse environment.

• Strong background in drug and crime investigations.

• Have experience in tactical procedures.

• Background in working with elected officials.

• Familiarity with technology and dispatch operations pertinent to public safety.

• Experience working with county officials.

• Dedication to community policing


Management Capabilities

• Enjoy visibility in the community. Be willing to serve as the spokesperson for public safety issues in the city.

• Instigate accountability throughout the department.

• Be a participative leader, involve others in the decision-making process

• Be a pro-active, progressive leader.

• Willingness to make timely, informed decisions

• Inspire a shared vision, focus on the key priorities and link recognition with accomplishments


Position Priorities

• Take the lead in implementing community policing programs and activities. Evaluate current schedule to determine if it is conducive to meeting community policing objectives.

• Examine the records management system for efficiencies and accuracy and make appropriate adjustments. Work with the county on dispatch records.

• Implement plans to build or remodel police facilities.

• Assess staff assignments and the distribution of work load to assure adequate staffing levels. Make assignments based on skills and interest, not solely seniority.

• Evaluate department technology, particularly within vehicles. Improve the department’s web site.

• Make effort to establish relationships with emergency management, fire and media representatives.

• Evaluate command structure and the need for more staff.

• Review current policies and the need to develop additional policies.

• Develop a more accountable organization using time management, flexible assignments, reduce overtime and increase coverage.


Announcement

Police Chief, City of Mason City, IA (pop 29,000) Starting Salary low $70s to low $80s. Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County in northern Iowa. Mason City is a trade center and home to nearly 29,000 residents and a strong business and industrial sector with large international firms, a healthy education system and top-quality health care facilities. The Police Chief works under the direction of the City Administrator and supervises a police department staff with 49 sworn police officers and a total staff of 63. Candidates for the Police Chief position must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice, public administration or a closely related field plus ten years experience in police work, five of which must be at command position. Completion of the basic law enforcement training academy or equivalent is required. The Police Chief must maintain a residence within the corporate limits of Mason City within six months of employment. Position Profile available. Send resume by 11/6/06 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search; 50 S. 9th Ave., #101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone: (952) 945-0246, Fax: (952) 945-0102, e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web: www.brimgroup.com

For more information on the City of Mason City visit www.masoncity.net

Search Timetable

11/6/06 Deadline for Application

11/28/06 Present Candidates/Civil Service Certification

12/05/06 Civil Service List to City Council

Week of 12/11/06 Interviews/Selection