• Job Title: DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
• Category: Full-Time
• Application Closing Date: 4/30/23, 5:00 p.m.

Salary and Benefits:

• Hiring Range: $115,000 – $150,000
• Annual Pay Adjustments
• 12 Paid Holidays
• 12 Paid Vacation Days
• 12 Paid Sick Days
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(a) Retirement Plan
• Tuition and Book Reimbursement for Continued Education, Certifications, and Training

Brochure Link: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/wp-content/uploads/Deputy-City-Manager-Recruitment-Brochure_Final.pdf

GET TO KNOW WINTER HAVEN

With a history in citrus, lakes, and Americana rock & roll, the Winter Haven, Florida experience is a chorus of modern lifestyle possibilities in harmony with our roots. Winter Haven is where affordable lake living is a reality, and water play is a natural requirement. It’s a place where there’s a concert on every corner and family excitement in every park. It’s a town that chooses to differentiate itself with an understated cool vibe. Arts and culture, playful fun, music fusion, affordable homes, a craft brewery, and local eateries are just a sampling of daily life. And let’s not forget about Winter Haven’s hometown connection to family-friendly LEGOLAND Florida Resort just down the block from the City core.

Winter Haven continues to experience steady, quality growth as it transforms into a distinctively unique City, embracing the values and needs of its residents. Partnerships and a cooperative spirit make Winter Haven an attractive City for new businesses and entrepreneurs. The City’s progress and success are owned by each of its residents, and planning for the future can never stop. Winter Haven is an exceptional destination offering all of life’s desires within its boundaries. The City of Winter Haven staff looks forward to serving its residents, businesses and visitors as we all enjoy Winter Haven’s special lifestyle.

CITY GOVERNMENT

The City of Winter Haven operates under a Council-Manager form of Government. Five elected City Commissioners are responsible for City policy. The City Manager, who reports to the Commission, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of 600 employees.

Winter Haven is a full-service City, providing services in the areas of Police, Fire, Water & Sewer Utilities, Solid Waste, Roads & Drainage, Building Permitting and Inspections, Planning, Parks & Recreation, Libraries, Cemeteries, and multiple internal support functions. The current population is 53,331; however, the greater service area is estimated at 83,000.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Winter Haven is looking for a dynamic leader to join the City Manager’s office as Deputy City Manager. The individual who fills this role will need to be highly organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously. They must be adept at building positive relationships and bringing people together to achieve a common goal. The Deputy City Manager will need to navigate complex capital projects and operational issues. They will be responsible for fostering collaborative and cooperative relationships and work products across City departments, partners, and constituents.

The Deputy City Manager must be a very strong problem solver, relying on technical expertise and innovative approaches. They should be able to anticipate potential challenges and work proactively to address them before they become an issue. The Deputy City Manager needs to understand large capital projects, including various delivery methods, conflict resolution, and funding strategies.

Strong written and oral communication skills are central to the role of the Deputy City Manager. They will be responsible for a variety of public presentations to various community groups and the City Commission. The Deputy City Manager will communicate with citizens and work to resolve any issues with individual citizens as well as various citizen groups. They will need to be able to fill in for the City Manager when assigned in his absence.

DEPARTMENTS:

The Deputy City Manager will work with all City departments:

• Airport
• City Clerk, Legal, City Commission
• Economic Opportunity & Community Investment
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Parks, Recreation, & Culture
• Public Safety
• Public Works
• Winter Haven Water

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Under the administrative direction of the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager plans, organizes, manages, and directs a variety of City services, programs, and projects within the City Administration and the various City Departments including: and celebrates the diversity of our great community

OPERATIONS & OVERSIGHT

• Through familiarity with modern techniques, principles and practices of leadership and municipal government functions, assists in identifying goals and direction for the City and various department operations and staff.
• Works closely with the City Manager, Department Directors, and others to implement objectives.
• Directs, supervises and routinely reviews program and staff activities through written reports and personal observation.
• Ensures all program and staff activity and relevant records and reports are thoroughly and accurately prepared and maintained.
• Advises senior management on policy and routine operational matters.
• Performs research and analytical studies.
• Reviews internal operations, recommends and initiates methods to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, and service quality.
• At the direction of the City Manager, serves as Acting City Manager.

BUDGET & CAPITAL PROJECTS

• Prepares budgets and assists in the development, administration, and review of department budgets.
• Evaluates the need for and recommends the addition of new personnel, material, and equipment.
• Participates in the review and authorization of purchases at various levels, and exercises control over expenditures.
• Monitors all capital improvement / investment projects and facilitates inter-departmental coordination on capital projects.

CITY COMMISSION

• Prepares and participates in the review of all City Commission agenda items and assists in the presentation of such items as directed or in the absence of the City Manager.
• Monitors the status of implementing City Commission goals and objectives.
• Assists the City Manager in directing strategic goals.
• Works closely with the City Manager to communicate a unified commitment to achieving the declared mission.

COMMUNICATION & REPRESENTATION

• Acts as a spokesperson for the City Manager.
• Has contact with citizens, personnel of all departments and divisions, the business community, neighborhood organizations and City Commission members.
• Contacts are varied in type and intensity, frequently involving highly sensitive interactions requiring skill in gaining the trust and confidence of others.
• On an ongoing or ad hoc basis, serves as staff liaison to City boards, commissions, and other public agencies.
• Represents the City at various public meetings, conferences, and events held during the day, evening, week, or weekends.
• Makes written and oral presentations.
• Maintains an open door policy on citizen complaints, comments, and requests.
• Efficiently, effectively, and professionally interacts with department staff, City officials, other governmental agencies, and business and community members on matters of mutual interest, to ensure the appropriateness of services provided and resolve issues and concerns.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of essential job functions; the performance of other essential functions may be required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration or related field; Master’s degree degree preferred.
• Ten years of progressively responsible City management experience.
• Public Administration experience in Florida is highly desired.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that is determined to be directly related to the foregoing specific requirements may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Must have a vast knowledge of all facets of modern public administration, personnel administration, modern management principles and practices to include budget development; be a skilled leader, team player, effective negotiator, sound judgment and decision maker, change/progress agent, and possess the ability and willingness to interact in an open, positive, participatory manner incorporating the interests of all, while remaining visible and active in the community.

Knowledge of the community profile, including special area needs, and the community geography and demographics. Knowledge of customer service techniques, research techniques and information sources. Knowledge of agenda and budget preparation and development; City departments; City code of ordinances; Florida statutes and City policies, and the ability to make decision in accordance with laws and regulations.

Ability to plan, organize, direct and evaluate complex programs and operational activities. Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Ability to analyze complex managerial and administrative problems, formulate and mediate solutions, and take independent unilateral action when warranted. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow staff, City officials, residents and businesses, and various community groups. Ability to facilitate small and large group discussions and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings and events.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have, or be willing to acquire, a valid Florida driver’s license and a good driving record as determined by the City of Winter Haven. The absence of non-prescribed controlled substances in the applicant’s system will be verified through a screening process administered by a laboratory approved by the City of Winter Haven.

PHYSICAL / ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

Must have the physical ability, strength, and flexibility to perform the job functions in the work environment. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

HOW TO APPLY

Please visit MyWinterHaven.com/Careers/ to complete our application. Submit a complete application, along with a cover letter and resume, by April 30, 2023.

_AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
AND A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE_

Enriching lifestyle through exceptional service.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $115,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: One location