Assistant City Manager - City of Odessa

Department: City Manager's Office Reports to: City Manager

Summary:Under limited supervision, directs, plans, and coordinates the operations and management of City of Odessa Departments: evaluates operations and resolves operational, interdepartmental, budget, and performance management issues; manages priorities, anticipates problems, and resolves conflicts; assures compliance of activities with City policies, procedures, and goals.

Essential Functions:Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as an advisor to the City Manager and on City of Odessa issues; exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; evaluates and analyzes operational and technical issues; interprets regulations and City codes; and advises on specialized areas of technical expertise.
• Directs assigned departments and meets regularly with Directors to evaluate operational plans, projects, and issues; directs the implementation of solutions; motivates and evaluates staff and provides leadership, direction and guidance in operational and financial strategies and priorities; reviews work in progress in order to anticipate technical and management problems.
• Develops and directs strategies to meet City goals; interprets concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, and prioritizes programs and projects; evaluates City needs, and assures the efficient delivery of services to the community; assures all operational activities are in compliance with City policies.
• Encourages robust dialogue throughout the organization, and effectively addresses personnel issues in order to promote a productive and healthy work environment.
• Directs, coaches, and trains staff, and evaluates performance; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve priorities, workload, resource allocation, quality standards, and technical issues; monitors operations to identify and resolve problems; assures operations meet customer service and quality requirements.
• Manages the collection, analysis, and reporting of operational data; reviews technical documents and other records to evaluate data quality and accuracy; identifies and corrects errors and inconsistencies in documents and reports; directs coordination of plans and issues with other state and regional agencies.
• Analyzes operational information, evaluates trends, and assures issues are properly addressed and resolved; develops and presents reports and recommendations in public meetings.
• Promotes outreach, communication, and education programs, and coordinates meetings and agendas with residents, advocacy groups and community organizations; assures effective communication of actions required to meet the needs of customers; interprets and explains City policies, rules, and regulations.
• Supports the operations with regular and timely attendance.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the City management team, by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines: Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, or a related field; AND 5-10 years' professional program and staff management experience in the public sector is required. A Master's Degree in Business or Public Administration is preferred. Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Principles and practices of administrative management, including personnel rules, cost accounting, budgeting, procurement, contract management, performance management, and employee supervision.
• Applicable state and federal statutes, rules, codes, and regulations.
• Principles and practices of legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct.
• Professional techniques and practices for efficient and cost-effective management of resources.
• Current political and economic trends in municipal, state, and federal government.
• Techniques and methods for long-range strategic and financial planning.
• Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.

Skill in:

• Analyzing complex administrative and operational issues, interpreting laws and regulations, evaluating alternatives, and developing recommendations, strategies, and operational improvements.
• Assuming executive-level responsibilities, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and making appropriate decisions, while assuring compliance with City goals and objectives.
• Analyzing City needs, maximizing resources, and prioritizing operational strategies to meet future needs.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Presenting and defending operational reports and information in public meetings.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Managing and leading staff, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships and open communications with City employees, elected officials, regional agencies, advocate groups, and the general public.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of contemporary leadership and management principles and practices;
• Knowledge of legislative processes and practices;
• Knowledge of public administration and governmental operations;
• Knowledge of accounting and financial management principles;
• Knowledge of advanced theories and principles related to areas of assignment;
• Knowledge of strategy development principles and procedures;
• Knowledge of program development and administration principles and practices;
• Knowledge of project management principles;
• Knowledge of conflict mediation principles;
• Knowledge of public relations principles;
• Skilled in monitoring and evaluating employees;
• Skilled in prioritizing and assigning work;
• Skilled in public speaking;
• Skilled in developing long-range strategic plans;
• Skilled in analyzing and developing policies and procedures;
• Skilled in analyzing complex problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals
• Skilled in mediating and resolving conflict
• Skilled in preparing and administering budgets
• Skilled in managing change and sensitive topics
• Skilled in planning, analyzing and evaluation programs and services, operational needs and fiscal constraints.
• Skilled in prioritizing, organizing and managing multiple simultaneous projects
• Skilled in reading, interpreting, applying and explaining laws, codes, ordinances, rules regulations, policies and procedures.
• Skilled in preparing clear and concise reports, including oral, written and audio/visual presentations
• Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential information.
• Skilled in providing customer service
• Skilled in gathering, and analyzing information; making recommendations based on finding and in support of organizational goals
• Skilled in operating a computer and related software applications
• Skilled in communicating effectively with a variety of individuals.

License and certification requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required. Training as a Certified Public Manager (CPM) from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is desirable.

Physical demands and working environment:Work is performed in a standard office environment.