Summary
Description
Description
HIRING RANGE: $90,320 – $120,000 annually
GENERAL PURPOSE: The Assistant to the City Manager plays a crucial role in supporting the effective management and administration of the city’s operations and special projects. This position involves performing a wide range of duties to assist the City Manager and Deputy City Manager in managing city initiatives, policies, and projects. The ideal candidate has leadership skills, is highly organized, detail-oriented, a strong communicator, and is capable of handling confidential information with discretion.
Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting.
CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!:
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Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community
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Change: Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
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Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals.
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Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization.
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Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City.
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NOW!: Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Perform a lead role, in partnership with the City Manager and Deputy City Manager, in developing and preparing the City’s annual budget while simultaneously working collaboratively with departments to provide analysis and recommendations on areas of concern including budget, process improvement, performance measurement, and grants.
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Lead in the planning, coordinating, and implementation of city projects and initiatives while exercising strong project management skills in tracking progress, timing, and deadlines in various capacities.
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Oversee the City’s Homeless Navigation Program, which includes two full-time navigators. Manage additional staff as directed by the Deputy City Manager.
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Support Economic Development in the implementation of the Wheat Ridge Prosperity Plan in addition to other guiding documents.
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Support the Communications and Engagement division as it relates to community engagement and transparency.
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Support the development and implementation of the City’s annual Wheat Ridge 101 and 102 civic academies.
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Serve as a liaison between the Deputy City Manager and city departments, staff, public, and council by facilitating effective communication and ensuring timely follow-up on requests and inquiries.
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Serve as staff liaison to committees as necessary, such as the Community Partners Grant Program Committee and the Legislative Committee.
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Lead the City’s internal Innovation Committee, collaborating on cross-departmental technological solutions.
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Interface with numerous city, county, and state agencies, leagues, boards, and commissions.
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Maintain critical, sensitive, and confidential communication with public officials, press, and public and private agencies.
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Utilize diplomacy, communication, and conflict management skills when responding to a wide variety of inquiries related to City policies and procedures.
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Prepare written staff reports and agendas, grant requests, and special projects involving extensive research and analysis. Present to City Council and community groups regularly.
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Represent the City at various meetings, working with governmental officials and external agencies.
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This position will be required to work non-traditional work hours attending night meetings on a regular basis.
Qualifications
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
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Bachelor's from a four-year college or university with major course work in public administration, political science, business administration or a related field.
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Master’s Degree in Public/Business Administration, Political Science or related field preferred.
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Previous experience in an administrative or support role, preferably within a public sector environment.
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Strong working knowledge in managing budgets, projects, and change management.
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Passionate about supporting internal and external community initiatives with an emphasis on building strong relationships and partnerships.
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Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and concisely to a wide variety of audiences.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and project management tools.
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High level of integrity and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
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Possession of a valid and current Colorado driver’s license or ability to obtain within thirty (30) days from date of hire. Ability to commute to various field sites is required.
HOURS OF WORK, LOCATION, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: This is a full-time position that needs to be available to work during typical weekday office hours along with the ability to attend after-hours meetings, workshops, and special events. Majority of the work is conducted in an office environment. Travel around the City and at times through Denver Metro or outside travel may be required.
The City of Wheat Ridge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, marital status or any other applicable characteristics protected by law, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodations for employment to qualified applicants upon request to the Human Resources Office.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.
