City Administrator
Apply NowCompany: City of Owatonna, MN
Location: Owatonna, MN 55060
Description:
Salary: $151,590.40 - $197,059.20 Annually
Location : Owatonna, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: City Administrator 02 2025
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 04/16/2025
Closing Date: 5/6/2025 4:00 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NA
Description
THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE:
The City of Owatonna is a growing community strategically placed at the crossroads of I-35 and two major US highways, approximately one hour south of the Twin Cities metro area. The community has a commitment to growth, access to services, and quality of life for its 26,647 residents.
Click the link below to learn more about the community this position would have the opportunity to be part of and serve.
ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:
We believe that cities are at their best when they have effective and aligned operations. The Administration Department creates a better tomorrow by supporting and ensuring the alignment of all departments and elected officials to the City's shared goals.
As an organization, our Purpose is tocreate a better tomorrow. We are guided in that work by our organization's 3 Core Values:Better Together,Community Stewardship, and Pride in Our Work.
In our department, the City's values look and sound like ...
BETTER TOGETHER:
Breaking down silos and building the city as a team
Utilizing individual strengths, skills, abilities, and backgrounds to ensure all departments and elected officials are aligned and working toward shared goals
Building and maintaining relationships with departments and organizations to ensure open and honest communication
Working as a team-we share the workload and support others when they need it
Being open to new ideas
COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP:
Inviting the community to engage in decision-making through surveys, listening sessions, public hearings, etc.
Providing timely information to the community in order to build and maintain trusting relationships
Spending taxpayers' money and using city resources wisely, efficiently, and effectively
PRIDE IN OUR WORK:
Sharing and celebrating the City's accomplishments and future goals through the State of the City Address
Taking satisfaction in the public's utilization and enjoyment of our services and facilities
Focusing on continuous improvement to ensure we meet the ever-changing needs of the growing community
Providing creative solutions and measurable results
What we are looking for:
Anticipated timeline:
Duties / Responsibilities
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
The City Administrator provides senior-level leadership, overseeing city operations, staff, and policy implementation. This role manages budgets, aligns resources with strategic goals, ensures efficient service delivery and represents the city in public and governmental relations. This position also develops long-term strategies to meet community needs and enhance city services.
Specifically, as the City Administrator you will ...
1. Provides senior level direction to all city staff, directly or through directors, including: assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, and making hiring, termination and discipline decisions.
2. Develops goals and objectives for City operations; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
3. Provides oversight and participates in development of annual budgets for departments and the capital improvement program; ensures that use of the budget is aligned with City strategic plan.
4. Coordinates operations of all departments to ensure effective service delivery and use of department resources.
5. Represents the City to public agencies, community organizations, government officials and the media.
6. Performs Charter and statutory requirements of City Clerk.
7. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
Qualifications
ABOUT YOU:
A successful candidate will have some or all of the following ...
A bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field; 10 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Licensing in:
Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands
Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands
City of Owatonna
2024 BENEFITS OVERVIEW
For a Regular Full-Time Nonunion Employee
The City of Owatonna provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package as part of your total compensation. The City's benefits programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or health savings accounts, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings.
The following outline of City offered benefits serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.
EMPLOYER PROVIDED BENEFITS:
Paid Time Off (PTO):
It is the policy of the City of Owatonna to provide employees necessary time away from work. PTO can be utilized for any purpose, subject only to necessary request/approval procedures consistent with the City Policies and Procedures Manual and labor contracts. PTO accrues at the following rates for full-time employees:
Years of Service Hours/Year
1 144
2 152
3 160
4 168
5 176
6-9 184
10 192
11 200
12 208
13 216
14 224
15 228
16 232
17 236
18 240
19 244
20 248
21 252
22 256
23 260
24+ 264
11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday:
All regular full-time employees of the City, except those who are governed by a union contract or different holiday policy, receive the following holidays:
Holiday Date
New Year's Day January 1st
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day Third Monday in February
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Juneteenth June 19th
Independence Day July 4th
Labor Day First Monday in September
Veteran's Day November 11th
Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November
Last working day before Christmas December
Christmas Day December 25th
One (1) Floating Holiday Once per year; must be used by December 31st
Reasonable time off to attend church services on Good Friday at the discretion of the department director when it will not interfere with departmental activities.
Retirement:
PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association)
1. Must participate as directed by Minnesota Statutes.
2. Contribution rates vary depending on plan.
3. May obtain refund of employee contribution on termination of service.
Health Insurance Coverage Through Medica:
The City provides a $25,000 term life insurance policy at no cost to the employee.
Long Term Disability Insurance:
The plan provides long term disability income with a 90 consecutive day elimination period. An employee must be a regular full-time employee and have completed six (6) months of employment in order to be eligible for this benefit.
West Hills Fitness Center:
PERA Qualified Employees, Police/Fire Employees (Full-time and Part-time) have access to the West Hills Fitness Center at no cost as part of the city's wellness program.
Employee Assistant Plan (EAP):
The City of Owatonna provides an Employee Assistance Plan. This service provides free, confidential, professional assistance to help employees and their families resolve problems such as marital difficulties, financial or legal problems, emotional difficulties, or problems caused by alcohol or other drug use, that affect their personal lives or job performance.
OPTIONAL BENEFITS AVAILABLE:
The following benefits are available on an elective basis at the employee's choice:
01
Do you have a bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field; 10 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job?
02
Do you currently hold a valid Driver's License?
03
Which of the following best describes your level of education?
04
Which of the following best describes your municipal management experience?
05
Please select all the following you have demonstrated experience and knowledge of:
06
Do you have experience managing labor relations?
07
Do you have experience in organizational development?
08
Tell us about a specific time you succeeded more as a team than on your own.
09
What do you love about your work?
10
Why do you want to serve the Owatonna community?
11
Please share one specific best moment from your work in the past year.
Required Question
Location : Owatonna, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: City Administrator 02 2025
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 04/16/2025
Closing Date: 5/6/2025 4:00 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NA
Description
THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE:
The City of Owatonna is a growing community strategically placed at the crossroads of I-35 and two major US highways, approximately one hour south of the Twin Cities metro area. The community has a commitment to growth, access to services, and quality of life for its 26,647 residents.
Click the link below to learn more about the community this position would have the opportunity to be part of and serve.
ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:
We believe that cities are at their best when they have effective and aligned operations. The Administration Department creates a better tomorrow by supporting and ensuring the alignment of all departments and elected officials to the City's shared goals.
As an organization, our Purpose is tocreate a better tomorrow. We are guided in that work by our organization's 3 Core Values:Better Together,Community Stewardship, and Pride in Our Work.
In our department, the City's values look and sound like ...
BETTER TOGETHER:
Breaking down silos and building the city as a team
Utilizing individual strengths, skills, abilities, and backgrounds to ensure all departments and elected officials are aligned and working toward shared goals
Building and maintaining relationships with departments and organizations to ensure open and honest communication
Working as a team-we share the workload and support others when they need it
Being open to new ideas
COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP:
Inviting the community to engage in decision-making through surveys, listening sessions, public hearings, etc.
Providing timely information to the community in order to build and maintain trusting relationships
Spending taxpayers' money and using city resources wisely, efficiently, and effectively
PRIDE IN OUR WORK:
Sharing and celebrating the City's accomplishments and future goals through the State of the City Address
Taking satisfaction in the public's utilization and enjoyment of our services and facilities
Focusing on continuous improvement to ensure we meet the ever-changing needs of the growing community
Providing creative solutions and measurable results
What we are looking for:
- Relationship Builder - Someone who fosters meaningful relationships with employees, citizens, businesses and community leaders.
- Growth Mindset - A leader who is eager to embrace innovation and continuous improvement.
- Trusted Leader - A professional known for integrity, accountability and sound decision-making.
- Commitment to Service - Someone with a passion for public service and enhancing the quality of life for our community members.
- Inspiring Presence - A leader who motivates, engages and empowers teams to achieve excellence.
Anticipated timeline:
- April 16 to May 6 - Application window
- Week of May 12 - Panel interviews
- May 20 - Finalist(s) interview day
- August 11 - Target start date
Duties / Responsibilities
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
The City Administrator provides senior-level leadership, overseeing city operations, staff, and policy implementation. This role manages budgets, aligns resources with strategic goals, ensures efficient service delivery and represents the city in public and governmental relations. This position also develops long-term strategies to meet community needs and enhance city services.
Specifically, as the City Administrator you will ...
1. Provides senior level direction to all city staff, directly or through directors, including: assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, and making hiring, termination and discipline decisions.
2. Develops goals and objectives for City operations; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
3. Provides oversight and participates in development of annual budgets for departments and the capital improvement program; ensures that use of the budget is aligned with City strategic plan.
4. Coordinates operations of all departments to ensure effective service delivery and use of department resources.
5. Represents the City to public agencies, community organizations, government officials and the media.
6. Performs Charter and statutory requirements of City Clerk.
7. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
Qualifications
ABOUT YOU:
A successful candidate will have some or all of the following ...
A bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field; 10 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Licensing in:
- Valid Driver's License.
- Interacting with a public policy board;
- Managerial and leadership principles and practices;
- Budgeting principles and practices;
- Administrative management;
- Project management principles;
- Program development and administration;
- Strategic planning principles;
- Applicable city ordinances, policies, rules and regulations;
- City programs.
- Supervising and evaluating staff;
- Managing projects;
- Interpreting and applying policies, procedures, codes, laws, and regulations;
- Analyzing situations, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of actions, and implementing recommendations;
- Preparing a variety of reports;
- Communication and interpersonal relations with staff; community organizations, public agencies, government officials and the media;
- Resolving a wide variety of complex issues;
- Coordinating work of multiple programs;
- Developing and implementing strategies and procedures;
- Interpreting applicable ordinances, policies and regulations;
- Mediating and resolving conflict;
- Using a computer and related software applications;
- Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands
Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands
- This is a full-time exempt position. The schedule will vary and will include evening and weekend hours.
- To view the full job description including position specifications and physical demands
City of Owatonna
2024 BENEFITS OVERVIEW
For a Regular Full-Time Nonunion Employee
The City of Owatonna provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package as part of your total compensation. The City's benefits programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or health savings accounts, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings.
The following outline of City offered benefits serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.
EMPLOYER PROVIDED BENEFITS:
Paid Time Off (PTO):
It is the policy of the City of Owatonna to provide employees necessary time away from work. PTO can be utilized for any purpose, subject only to necessary request/approval procedures consistent with the City Policies and Procedures Manual and labor contracts. PTO accrues at the following rates for full-time employees:
Years of Service Hours/Year
1 144
2 152
3 160
4 168
5 176
6-9 184
10 192
11 200
12 208
13 216
14 224
15 228
16 232
17 236
18 240
19 244
20 248
21 252
22 256
23 260
24+ 264
11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday:
All regular full-time employees of the City, except those who are governed by a union contract or different holiday policy, receive the following holidays:
Holiday Date
New Year's Day January 1st
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day Third Monday in February
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Juneteenth June 19th
Independence Day July 4th
Labor Day First Monday in September
Veteran's Day November 11th
Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November
Last working day before Christmas December
Christmas Day December 25th
One (1) Floating Holiday Once per year; must be used by December 31st
Reasonable time off to attend church services on Good Friday at the discretion of the department director when it will not interfere with departmental activities.
Retirement:
PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association)
1. Must participate as directed by Minnesota Statutes.
2. Contribution rates vary depending on plan.
3. May obtain refund of employee contribution on termination of service.
Health Insurance Coverage Through Medica:
- Coverage for eligible employees becomes effective on the first of the month following a waiting period of thirty (30) days from the first workday.
- 3 HDHP to choose from
- City Contributes $ 596.00 towards single coverage premium or $ 1,664.00 towards family coverage/premium
- City contributes $1,225/single or $2,500/family into an HSA account.
The City provides a $25,000 term life insurance policy at no cost to the employee.
Long Term Disability Insurance:
The plan provides long term disability income with a 90 consecutive day elimination period. An employee must be a regular full-time employee and have completed six (6) months of employment in order to be eligible for this benefit.
West Hills Fitness Center:
PERA Qualified Employees, Police/Fire Employees (Full-time and Part-time) have access to the West Hills Fitness Center at no cost as part of the city's wellness program.
Employee Assistant Plan (EAP):
The City of Owatonna provides an Employee Assistance Plan. This service provides free, confidential, professional assistance to help employees and their families resolve problems such as marital difficulties, financial or legal problems, emotional difficulties, or problems caused by alcohol or other drug use, that affect their personal lives or job performance.
OPTIONAL BENEFITS AVAILABLE:
The following benefits are available on an elective basis at the employee's choice:
- Deferred Compensation Plans (457 and Roth IRA's): Plans available through Minnesota State Retirement System and ICMARC.
- Dental Insurance: Coverage through Health Partners.
- STD/Cancer/Accident Policies: Plans available through AFLAC.
- Supplemental Life Insurance: Plans through MN Life and PERA.
- Health Care and Daycare Flexible Spending Accounts
- Vision Care: Plan available through Eye Med.
01
Do you have a bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field; 10 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you currently hold a valid Driver's License?
- Yes
- No
03
Which of the following best describes your level of education?
- Masters Degree in unrelated field
- Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Studies, Political Science, Organizational Development, or related degree
- Bachelor's degree
- None of the above
04
Which of the following best describes your municipal management experience?
- Less than 5 years in managing NON-municipal or county teams
- More than 5 years in managing NON-municipal or county teams
- Less than 5 years in managing municipal or county teams
- More than 5 years in managing municipal or county teams
- None of the above
05
Please select all the following you have demonstrated experience and knowledge of:
- Community and Economic Development
- City Clerk and Elections
- Culture and Recreation (Library and Parks & Recreation)
- Public Works
- Internal Services (Finance, IT, HR, Communications, Facilities)
- Public Safety (Police and Fire)
06
Do you have experience managing labor relations?
- Yes
- No
07
Do you have experience in organizational development?
- Yes
- No
08
Tell us about a specific time you succeeded more as a team than on your own.
09
What do you love about your work?
10
Why do you want to serve the Owatonna community?
11
Please share one specific best moment from your work in the past year.
Required Question