Special Projects Manager (City Manager's Office)

Job Summary

The Special Projects Manager leads and coordinates high-impact projects for the City, working with community members, staff, consultants, and City Council to deliver strategic initiatives. The role develops short- and long-range project plans, prepares reports and recommendations, monitors legislative and operational trends, and identifies opportunities for organizational improvement. Responsibilities include managing consultant contracts, directing work through staff, and supporting boards, commissions, and City Council. The intent of this description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s). Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

Essential Job Functions and Other Important Duties

• Manage special projects, including coordinating community members, city staff, and City Council to accomplish project goals, while overseeing timelines, stakeholder engagement, and successful project implementation. Past projects have included economic development initiatives, strategic plan development, policy development, and downtown revitalization efforts.
• Develops short- and long-range plans for future to ongoing special projects, including estimating timelines for start-up and completion of projects.
• Prepare statistical and narrative reports and correspondence based on research or on special project needs.
• Prepare status report and recommendations on special projects.
• Monitor, analyze, and interpret trends, innovations, and state and federal legislation impacting City operations, collaborating with consultants, City Council, and internal stakeholders to draft, review, and refine legislative proposals and policy initiatives.
• Communicate concepts and information to assigned group to facilitate results on assigned projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation across the organization.
• Manages the selection process and administers consultant services, including negotiating contract terms and fees by negotiating the contract, approving the consultant's product, approving payment to consultant, initiating poor performance remedies, etc.
• Manages planning, directing, and coordinating, through subordinate level staff, the department work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
• Attends City Council and meeting of assigned boards/commissions when necessary.
• Will be required to work extended hours on evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Remains accessible via personal cell phone to address job-related issues or emergencies using City applications.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Formal Education: Graduation with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration or a related field or major coursework in project management. Relatable Work Experience: Four (4) years of experience in project management. Training, Licenses, and Certifications: None required. Preferred Qualifications: Special project management experience in municipal, county, or state government. Master's degree in public administration or a related field.

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, applicants are permitted to substitute two years of related full-time experience for one year of higher education or one year of related higher education for two years of experience to meet the minimum requirements of the job. One year of full-time experience is defined as 30 or more hours worked per week for 12 months. One year of higher education is defined as 30 credit hours completed at an accredited college or university.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed & Environmental Factors and Other Physical Requirements

Ability to resolve conflicts and difficult situations. Ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all public contacts. Skills in negotiating with various audiences to accomplish objectives. Ability to assess and analyze project risks and exposures, identify options and alternatives, make decisions, and implement corrective actions. Knowledge of public administration/City practices and procedures. Knowledge of research, analysis and interpretation of complex and/or sensitive municipal issues. Skill in implementing personnel policies, procedures and actions. Skill in effective oral and written communications to a variety of audiences. Proficiency in the use of computers and related equipment, hardware and software to include Microsoft Office for the development of various communications, budgets, presentations, graphics, charts and management level papers/reports and grants. Ability to establish and maintain professionally effective relationships with external public/vendors, internal management and non-management employees, and City and other government officials. Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and control a project for providing effective and efficient services for the City. Subject to sitting and standing to perform essential functions in an office environment Visual acuity, speech, and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate office equipment Regularly scheduled for 5-day, 40-hour workweek, Monday through Friday; overtime occasionally required.