CITY OF FERNLEY  

CITY MANAGER  

EFFECTIVE 07/18/2022 

Download Informational Flyer

APPOINTMENT  

This position is appointed by the Mayor with consent of the City Council. The position is classified  as exempt and at-will, serving at the pleasure of the Mayor.  

DEFINITION  

The City Manager is an administrative-level executive position, under general direction of the  Mayor. The City Manager performs high-level administrative, technical, and professional work  directing and supervising the administration of City government under the policy direction of the  Mayor and City Council. The City Manager exercises direct supervision over management,  supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff. The City Manager plans,  organizes, integrates, directs, administers, fiscally controls, reviews, and evaluates the activities,  operations, programs and services of the City of Fernley; ensures development and execution of  the city’s annual budget, goals and work plans; represents the City’s interests with other levels and  agencies of government; effectively serves the needs of the community at large and business  interests, while complying with applicable laws and regulations. This position is also subject to  any duties as determined by Ordinance. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS  

The City Manager is a professional position that serves at the direction and pleasure of the Mayor  and is responsible for the administration and control of the City government. He or she is a  generalist, policy leader and human relations expert. The City Manager must be a politically  responsible, effective policy executive who can acquire and utilize local and regional resources  to resolve community problems and capitalize on community opportunities. The City Manager  must have considerable knowledge of the City and possess the interpersonal and analytical skills  necessary to effectively deal with the problems and opportunities confronting the community.  

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

The duties listed below are examples of the work typically performed by employees in this class.  An employee may not be assigned all duties listed and may be assigned duties which are not listed  below.  

  1. Develops, evaluates, and implements administrative policies and procedures to meet the  Mayor and City Council goals and objectives; supervises the performance of City  departments; directs the establishment of standards, goals, and objectives and evaluates the  performance of departments; coordinates the activities of the various City departments to  ensure timely, efficient, and effective delivery of programs and services.  
  2. Selects, directs, develops, and evaluates management personnel and other staff; instructs  and trains staff and provides training programs to enhance the capabilities of staff and  improve the delivery of services; listens, responds to, and resolves employee problems,  concerns, complaints, and grievances; administers discipline for inadequate performance  and/or improper behavior.
  3. Negotiates and/or supervises the negotiation of all City contractual agreements subject to  the limitations of law and contractual policies; administers and enforces agreements.  
  4. Oversees the development of the annual City budget for approval by the Council; monitors  expenditures to ensure compliance with budgets; accounts for variances between projected  and actual expenditures, initiates remedial action, and reports significant variances to the  Council.  
  5. Analyzes proposals regarding policies, programs, and services and develops  recommendations to the City Council; analyzes information pertaining to City services and  operations including policies, programs, methods, budgets, staffing, organization, and  capital needs; writes reports and correspondence for government agencies, members of the  community, and the City Council.  
  6. Administers the preparation of Council meeting agendas; attends Council meetings; makes  oral and written presentations to the City Council and to other public and private groups;  provides information to the news media and the public regarding City operations;  represents the City with other government agencies and in meetings with the public.  
  7. Analyzes proposed legislation and administrative regulations for their impact on City  operations; reviews and makes recommendations to the Council regarding legislative  activities; participates in the lobbying process by presenting oral and written testimony to  appropriate bodies.  
  8. Provides direction and support to staff including advice and consultation to the Mayor and  members of the City Council; receives, investigates, and resolves complaints and concerns  regarding City programs, services, and facilities; acts as liaison with cities, counties,  regional, state, and federal agencies on a broad range of matters.  
  9. Assists the Mayor and City Council in the development of overall goals of the City;  provides leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans for  achieving overall goals; works with the Mayor and City Council and others to develop  community and economic development plans.  
  10. Administers the City’s personnel system including classification, compensation, benefits,  recruitment and selection, and personnel policies.  
  11. Informs the Mayor and City Council of operational problems, offers solutions, and seeks  advice and counsel on alternatives.  
  12. Responds to media inquiries.  
  13. Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries from citizens and City employees.    
  14. Regularly attending work on-site is an essential function of this position. Occasional  remote work may be permitted at the discretion of the Mayor but is considered an essential  function at all times.  
  15. Works cooperatively with appointed positions to serve the best interests of the City.
  16. Serves as the Risk Manager.
  17. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.  

QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT  

Experience and Training: Any combination of training, education and experience that  would provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to gain the required  knowledge and ability is:  

Bachelor’s Degree in business or public administration and five (5) years of city or other public  agency administrative experience including responsibility for management of staff and programs.  

Knowledge and Abilities:  

Knowledge of  

  • principles and practices of management and supervision;  
  • principles of public budget preparation and administration;  
  • principles of public personnel administration and employee relations; and,  • laws and regulations which pertain to City operations, services, and programs. Ability to  • develop policies and goals consistent with Council directives;  
  • effectively administer projects and operations consistent with City policies and goals;  • supervise staff;  
  • plan, direct, and evaluate the work of staff;  
  • develop, motivate, and supervise management staff;  
  • work effectively under the pressure of deadlines, conflicting demands, and emergencies;  • establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of City staff,  elective and appointive bodies, and members of the general public;  
  • gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion;  
  • collect, interpret, and evaluate narrative and statistical data pertaining to policy, fiscal,  and operational matters;  
  • analyze policies, regulations, projects, activities, and methods;  
  • select alternatives;  
  • project the consequences of proposed actions;  
  • implement administrative policies and work programs consistent with regulations and  with City policies and goals;  
  • understand, interpret, and apply laws and regulations; 
  • present findings, recommendations, and policies to individuals and groups in an  understandable and persuasive manner; and,  
  • communicate effectively in writing on matters related to department policies, funding,  and operations. 

Special Requirements:  

  • Possession of a valid Nevada driver’s license in compliance with Nevada law. • Must reside within the city limits within one year of starting employment as the City Manager.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS (The physical demands described here are representative of those that  must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. In  compliance with applicable disabilities laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for  qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations. Incumbents  and individuals who have been offered employment are encouraged to discuss potential  accommodations with the employer.)  

Strength and stamina to occasionally bend, stoop, sit and stand for prolonged periods. Dexterity  and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; occasional lifting of files, stacks of  paper, reference, and other materials weighing up to twenty-five pounds. Some reaching for items  above or below desk level. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly  required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is  required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this  job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and  ability to adjust focus.  

WORKING CONDITIONS  

Work is primarily performed indoors with generally clean work environment with limited  exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, or noise; periodic contact with upset an  potentially angry or frustrated individuals; frequent interruptions of planned work activities by  telephone calls, office visitors, and response to unplanned events.  

FLSA Status: Exempt  

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and  employee. It is subject to change at any time by the City at its sole discretion.