GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Town Administrator is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Forest Heights and is responsible for the Town’s overall management and administration. The Town Administrator assists the mayor with developing Town policies and carries out policies established by ordinances, resolutions, and council directives. The Town Administrator supervises the Town’s general affairs and all employees, contractors, and agents, except the Town Attorney. The Town Administrator plans, organizes, and directs the overall Town government, and ensure that the mayor and council’s policies and directives are properly implemented and monitored. The Town Administrator will work closely with the mayor as the mayor serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Town and as the primary liaison between the Town Administrator and Council. The Town Administrator is required to perform all related duties as required by the mayor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND TASK

The essential duties and responsibilities of the Town Administrator include, without limitation, those duties and

responsibilities described in the Town of Forest Heights Charter and the following:

• Responsible for overseeing the daily town operations including financial and personnel functions in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations; serves as appointment authority for all town employees under the jurisdiction of the mayor.
• Provides leadership and direction in the development of short and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations. Provides professional advice to the mayor, finance committee, other town boards, committees, local officials, and department heads; makes presentations to the mayor, council, boards & committees, state agencies, town meeting and the public as required.
• Serves as the town’s liaison in all legal matters in conjunction with the town’s legal counsel.
• Attends all Town Council meetings. Receives and makes appropriate disposition or referral of all Mayor correspondence and communications. Sets agendas for meetings, attends meetings, and ensures record meeting minutes are recorded.
• Researches, analyzes, and makes recommendations to the Mayor and Council on Town operations and procedures.
• Advises department heads and town employees on issues pertaining to town functions and policies.
• Coordinates the preparation and administration of the Town’s operating and capital budgets from developing instructions and setting deadlines, to providing materials and recommendations for approval to the mayor, finance committee and council.
• May serve as the town's Chief Procurement Officer, coordinating the purchasing of supplies and services in accordance with local, state, and federal procurement rules and regulations.
• Serves as the town’s Personnel Officer overseeing and participating in all personnel matters including but not limited to advertising, screening, developing job descriptions, recruitment and hiring, administration of benefits, maintenance of employee personnel files and disciplinary matters.
• Consults with department heads, board and committee members, and employees of every rank in the town’s employment on sensitive issues including but not limited to performance problems, health issues, management styles, contract interpretation, leave and attendance, job assignments, etc.
• Serves as the Mayor’s liaison and public information officer to employees, town boards or committees, local state-wide, inter-municipal, regional, state, and federal agencies.
• Negotiates with citizens and other outside public and private agencies; assists citizens in their interaction with all town departments, mayor, town council and town staff in the delivery of town services and emergency management requirements.
• Responds to oral and written inquires, requests for assistance, and complaints; refers citizens to appropriate departments and staff member(s). Investigates complaints from a variety of sources; develops responses and, when appropriate, directs corrective action.
• Participates in the writing of town meeting charter amendments, resolutions, and ordinances in conjunction with the town legal counsel. Develops, writes, and compiles background materials for the mayor and council.
• Monitors the work and performance of consultants and contractors doing business for the town.

• Prepares applications for grants, administers grants received, works with appropriate state, federal, and private officials on various town projects as required.
• Maintains professional competence through participation in workshops, seminars and training programs provided by professional organizations.
• Conducts independent research and prepares and submits reports to the mayor as required.

• Participate in the implementation of Town goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and procedures.
• Responsible for seeing that Town ordinances and resolutions are properly enforced, including code enforcement.
• General supervision over all Town assets, property, and equipment.
• Ensure that all Town franchises, leases, contracts, permits, and privileges are fully observed and properly enforced.
• Establish, within Town policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels. Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures. Allocate resources.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate, through staff, the work plan for Town projects and programmatic area of responsibility. Review and evaluate work methods and procedures. Meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and additional responsibilities.

• Make, or cause to be made, studies and surveys of the duties, responsibilities, and work of Town personnel.
• Assist with the development and properly administer the town’s budget. Ensure financial soundness and integrity of the Town to ensure its capability to meet commitments and to maximize the delivery of services to citizens. Review Towns books and accounts periodically to ensure a balanced budget.
• Maintain positive contact with community groups to represent the Town. Develop community relations programs and policies. Properly represent the Town to neighboring jurisdictions, governmental bodies, organizations, and the news media.
• Meet with citizens to review and resolve constituent service and other issues.
• Communicate with federal, state, and local officials and legislators to present the town’s viewpoint on pending administrative and legislative actions.
• Perform such related duties and responsibilities directed by the council occasionally.

If and after obtaining the mayor’s prior approval, the Town Administrator may delegate or assign certain non-managerial functions to other Town staff for completion.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Strong management skills and ability to develop, lead, and nurture high performance and a professional atmosphere.
• Ability to lead and manage employees and select, supervise, train, and evaluate personnel according to the Town’s personnel policies and procedures.
• Highly collaborative, organized, and efficient. Strong work ethic and demonstrated conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent writing and communication skills (including interpersonal communication). Ability to prepare clear and concise reports; prepare and administer budgets; and research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques. Ability to read, interpret, apply, and explain federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Strategic thinker and planner, problem solver, and ability to lead the council and staff in ongoing strategic planning and implementation efforts.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct municipal operations, services, and activities. Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action. Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Ability to identify and respond to community and council concerns and needs. Ability to establish and maintain effective and important community partnerships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams.
• Working knowledge of municipal government and Prince George’s County general laws, Town Charter, and regulations applicable to local government; knowledge of municipal financial laws and regulations, labor laws, parking laws/regulations, personnel practices, and procedures that affect local government in Maryland.
• I have a comprehensive knowledge of the various municipal financial requirements of municipal government as well as Maryland’s Open Meeting Act Laws, Procurement Law, and related procedures. Working knowledge of modern technology and information technology practices in support of town operations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Town Administrator primarily works weekdays and during regular business hours but may work at other times of the day and on weekends and holidays to represent the Town at local events and assist in emergencies. The Town Administrator works in an office environment alone and with others. The non-physical demands of the position include handling multiple projects simultaneously, frequent work interruptions, and working closely with others as a team member.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business or public administration or a related field
• Four years of senior management experience in municipal government, personnel matters, grants, and finances
• Must pass a background screening investigation.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Town and the employee and is subject to change by the Town as the needs of the Town and the work and requirements of the job change.