|
|
|
City of Moorhead, Minnesota
City Manager
Position Profile
The Community
Situated on the Red River of the North, the City of Moorhead is
part of a large metropolitan area comprised of the cities of
Fargo and West Fargo in North Dakota. With a combined population
of nearly 185,000, the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Statistical
Area is the regional center for education, business,
communication, finance, agri-business, health care, and
entertainment in northwestern Minnesota. In 2000, the
Fargo-Moorhead community was named one of ten U.S. communities
to receive the prestigious All America City Award.
The City of Moorhead (2005 population estimate of 34,244) serves
as the county seat of Clay County. Residents are proud of the
advantages their community offers, including an extensive park
and recreation system, abundant educational opportunities, a
commitment to economic development, and a community-wide
dedication to youth initiatives. Higher education plays a
prominent role in the culture of the city. Moorhead is home to
Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and
Minnesota State Community & Technical College, Moorhead Campus.
Education is the city's largest industry, contributing over
2,000 jobs to the community.
Although the regional economy is diverse, Moorheads location in
the heart of the fertile Red River Valley accounts for the
strong agricultural presence. The city serves as a center for
agri-business processing, marketing and research. American
Crystal Sugar and Anheuser-Busch process consumer products that
are distributed worldwide. Two vibrant business parks are also
located in Moorhead.
The city is comprised of attractive established neighborhoods
with homes of historic character and several new neighborhood
subdivisions offering different home styles and price ranges.
Many of the neighborhoods boast active block clubs. Since 2001,
the city has made over 3,000 lots available for new home
construction with planned neighborhood parks and recreation
opportunities. A total of 1,329 permits have been issued to date
for construction.
History
Moorhead was settled in the 1870s at a natural crossing point of
the Red River. The city was named for a director the Northern
Pacific Railway and was officially incorporated in 1881. The
lively frontier town served as a transfer point for goods and
passengers between the Twin Cities and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Today, transportation and wholesale distribution industries are
supported by Interstate Highways 94 and 29, which intersect in
Fargo-Moorhead, and by Hector International Airport and Moorhead
Municipal Airport.
Education, Recreation and Health Care
The award winning Moorhead Public School District #152 employs
over 800 staff and provides high-quality E-12 education for over
5,200 students. The District embarked on a major capital
investment endeavor in 2002 and secured approval from voters for
a $64 million bond referendum. New and renovated schools are
located throughout the community, and some facilities, including
Horizon Middle School, have won architectural awards for design
excellence. The District is known for the superior academic
achievement of its students who consistently score at or above
state and national averages on standardized tests. The
Supplemental Teaching and Enrichment Program (STEP) benefits
academically talented students who are enrolled in the city's
three elementary schools and middle school. Classes and
extra-curricular activities at the middle and senior high
schools cover a wide variety of interests and abilities and
emphasize college preparatory coursework. Local E-12 private
schools include St. Joseph's Catholic School and Park Christian
School. For adults, Moorhead Community Education also offers
many classes and seminars on a variety of topics.
The Moorhead Healthy Community Initiative, a local nonprofit
organization, works hard to foster positive development in
youth, and is supported by the entire Moorhead community.
Residents, businesses, schools, government and the faith
community work as a team for the benefit of the city's youth.
Programs include after school activities, mentoring,
scholarships, and assistance programs.
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a comprehensive regional
liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees
for nearly 7,500 students and has 800 employees. Concordia
College is a four-year, private liberal arts college with a
student enrollment of 3,000 and 600 employees. Minnesota State
Community & Technical College, Moorhead Campus, provides
technical education, liberal arts/transfer associate degrees,
and customized training to over 2400 students. Additionally,
North Dakota State University in Fargo serves 12,000 students
and offers graduate and doctoral degrees. The schools provide
many cultural and sports event opportunities to the community.
The city's contemporary recreational facilities accommodate a
variety of activities including tennis, hockey, swimming,
soccer, baseball and softball, skating and golf. Moorhead boasts
of two separate ice facilities with a total of four sheets of
indoor ice and 15 outdoor pleasure and hockey rinks. An
extensive Parks and Recreation program provides exceptional
programs for all age groups. The park system consists of seven
large regional parks, 24 neighborhood parks, and ten
Neighborhood Recreation Centers featuring supervised games and
crafts for school-aged children. Accommodations allow children
and adults with disabilities full access to facilities and
events. Riverfront parks and biking and hiking trails are found
along the Red River in the downtown area. In 2006 -2007, city
officials committed $6.6 million dollars for new and existing
park improvements. Construction continues for the various phases
of these projects. Two 18-hole municipal golf courses serve the
city, including Village Green and The Meadows Public Golf
Courses. A private 18-hole golf club is also located in the
community.
Community festivals and celebrations provide parades, fireworks,
music, food, and cultural flavor throughout the year. They
include Greater Moorhead Days, the Scandinavian Hjemkomst
Festival, Pangaea (multi-cultural festival), and River Arts to
name a few. Nationally renowned Trollwood Performing Arts School
will be relocating to Moorhead in the fall of 2008, with an $11
million dollar private/public/business partnership. An
additional tourist draw and cultural asset is the city-owned
Hjemkomst Center, which hosts numerous events, festivals, and
traveling displays and serves as the home of the renowned
Hjemkomst Viking Ship and the authentic replica Stave Church.
The area is home to the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and
Opera. Located in Moorhead is the Rourke Art Museum. Fargo is
home to the Plains Art Museum and the Fargodome, which hosts a
variety of athletic and musical performances.
The Moorhead Public Library serves as the headquarters branch of
the Lake Agassiz Regional Library system. The Moorhead Public
Library features computers and a training lab, and provides
traditional library services in addition to special lecture
series and special events.
Three major hospitals serve the metropolitan area; MeritCare and
its 16 satellite clinics, Innovis Health with six satellite
clinics, and the Veterans Administration Hospital. A number of
specialty clinics, independent doctors, dentists, chiropractic
and holistic facilities can also be found throughout the
Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area.
The Organization
The City of Moorhead operates under the Council-Manager form of
government. The Mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term
and the City Council is elected by ward for four-year terms as
well. Various commissions are appointed to assist the City
Council.
Currently the city has four departments, each with its own
director, including: Community Services, Fire, Police, and
Operations.
The total operating and capital budget for the city in 2007 is
$54 million. The city employs 237 full-time and 100 to 150
seasonal employees.
City Services
Moorhead Public Service (MPS) has provided electricity and water
to the City of Moorhead since 1896. Two turbine generators
provide clean wind energy through the Capture The Windฎ program.
MPS is governed by a five-member commission appointed by the
Mayor and City Council and provides $3.9 million to the city
annually through a transfer from the electric to the general
fund.
The Police Department provides 24-hour protection with its sworn
officers and support staff. The department shares headquarter
facilities with the Clay County Sheriff's Department. Fire
services are offered with full-time professional firefighters in
two stations. The Northwestern Minnesota Regional Hazardous
Materials Team is located in Moorhead and covers 22 counties in
northwestern Minnesota. A metro-wide dispatch center, housed in
downtown Fargo, exists to serve the public safety agencies of
Cass (ND) and Clay (MN) Counties.
Metropolitan Area Transit (MAT) provides extensive transit
service throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area.
The Position
The City Manager reports to the Mayor and City Council and is
the Chief Administrative Officer of the city. The City Manager
is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the city.
Specific duties include:
Provide leadership and direction in the development of short-
and long-range plans. Identify community needs and develop
strategies and programs to meet those needs.
Develop and administer the annual city budget. Advise the City
Council of financial conditions in relation to current and
future city needs.
Provide professional advice and recommendations to the City
Council and Department Directors.
Manage all departments and divisions to achieve goals
according to Federal and State laws, and set forth by City
Charter provisions, city ordinances, and City Council
resolutions.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities including interviewing,
hiring and training employees; planning and directing work;
evaluating employee performance; rewarding, disciplining, and
discharging employees; adjusting grievances and resolving
employee problems.
Background and Experience
Candidates for the City Manager position must possess a
Bachelors Degree in Public Administration, Political Science,
Business Management, Economics, Finance, or a related field and
a minimum of seven years experience in a high level management
position with public sector experience desirable. A Masters
degree is preferred.
Qualified candidates will possess:
Significant knowledge of budgeting, finances and forecasting
cash flow.
Knowledge of economic development planning and activities.
Demonstrated experience in working productively with elected
officials.
Strong background in strategic planning, goal development, and
creating a community vision.
Understanding of technology and use of computer programs
pertinent to city operations.
Experience working in a community with institution of higher
learning is highly desired.
Experience in labor union activities and issues, including
collective bargaining.
Experience in staff development and evaluation of staff
performance.
Background in annexation and subdivision development.
Understanding of public utility operations and their
relationship to city operations.
Background in collaboration and the development of joint
efforts.
Active knowledge of lobbying and understanding of the
legislative process.
Management Capabilities
Clarify the role of Council in staff activities to assure
harmonious Council/staff relationships.
Assure that Council policies are implemented, as directed by
the Council.
Assist Council in prioritizing issues and effective decision
making.
Promote the use of task forces to engage the community in the
decision making process.
Identify community leaders to broaden the leadership base.
Meet regularly with college representatives and elected
officials from Minnesota.
Work collaboratively with other governmental entities.
Foster cooperation between the city and the School District,
particularly in Community Education programs.
Provide timely information to the Council in advance of the
meeting
Be self confident and display a coaching mentality.
Be able to speak formally and informally to a variety of
audiences and media; should be comfortable in a highly visible
position.
Provide a timely response to Council requests for information.
Position Priorities
Manage the impact of state financial cutbacks on the city
budget and city services; develop a financial plan that
minimizes the impact of potential state funding.
Continue the implementation of redevelopment plans for
downtown renovation as outlined in the Master Plan.
Set up a strategic planning process for the City Council
focusing on governance issue.
Leverage the talent and knowledge of Minnesota State
University Moorhead, Concordia College, and Minnesota State
Community & Technical College, Moorhead Campus, on issues and
activities affecting the public.
Promote citizen engagement and involvement in issues
throughout the organization and community.
Develop strategies for more alternative housing options.
Develop a plan to deal with flood plain issues in conjunction
with the city of Fargo.
Continue efforts to deploy technology throughout the
organization and improve business processes in service delivery
to the public.
Promote citizen engagement and involvement on issues
throughout the organization and the community.
Evaluate the need for additional public safety facilities for
police coverage and fire response.
Evaluate the need for a library expansion and the need to
expand city hall facilities.
Increase the level and scope of electronic services for
Moorhead citizens and businesses.
Evaluate the need and feasibility of a Performing Arts Center.
Continue to clarify the expectations of the economic
development partnership with the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic
Development Corporation (GFMEDC).
Develop plan to implement task force recommendations
concerning college neighborhood improvements
Announcement
City Manager, Moorhead, MN (pop. 34,244). Three Managers since
1990. Starting salary range - $105,000 118,000. Located in
northwestern Minnesota within a regional metropolitan area of
over 185,000 residents. Report to a Mayor and eight-member City
Council elected by wards for four-year terms. Oversee Community
Services, Fire, Police, and Operations. Administer an overall
budget of $54 million and manage 237 full-time and 100 seasonal
employees. Requires a Bachelors Degree (Masters degree
preferred) in Public Administration or related field and a
minimum of seven years experience in a high level management
position and responsible for operations, budget, employee
supervision and labor negotiations, with public sector
experience desirable. Requires experience in financial
management, Council/Staff relations, economic development plus
knowledge of utility operations and strong collaboration skills.
Regular involvement in civic engagement activities is highly
desirable. Position Profile available. Send resume by 11/12/07
to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search; Fifty South Ninth 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, see City website at
www.cityofmoorhead.com
Timetable
11/12/07 Deadline for Applications
1/07/08 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
2/1 and 2/2/08 Interview/Selection
March, 2008 Start Date
|
Print
Close Window