From the sidelines, it might seem that many local government professionals have the good fortune to sail through their careers serving in positions and organizations that align with their values, skills, career path, and personality. But if you polled the profession, most would probably acknowledge that at least once in their career, they made the wrong choice. Or what on the surface appears to be a wrong choice.

Even with the best of reconnaissance before accepting a position, it becomes clear days or months into the job that there is a significant disconnect between what you thought you signed up for and what you have. Any number of factors could be in play. The finances are far worse than reported. Elected officials and/or senior management micromanage. The leadership lacks ethics. The actual job doesn’t have the responsibility or authority promised. The culture leaves you feeling like you hail from another planet. Or despite your best efforts to do so, you and your family really can’t thrive without the personal support system you left behind.

When faced with this situation, consider these factors before you decide to move on:  

A minimum of two years of service is the professional standard. The length of service guideline under Tenet 4 of the ICMA Code of Ethics advises members that a minimum of two years with an organization is considered necessary in order to render a professional service.

This guideline applies to all ICMA members regardless of their position within the organization. Given the significant investment organizations make in time and money to recruit new staff and the time it takes even the most talented individual to make a real contribution, a commitment of two years is both reasonable and professional. 

Exceptions to the two-year tenure are fairly narrow. Exceptions include severe personal problems; a significant change in the terms or conditions of employment; a vote of no confidence; or when a shorter length of tenure has been negotiated in advance in writing between the manager and a member in transition, assistant or department head. 

The two-year tenure does not apply to internal promotions.  However, if you made a special commitment to remain with the organization, it would apply.

Short tenures should be the exception rather than the rule. They can hamstring your career advancement as the next employer might doubt your decision making, your commitment, and ethics. When organizations struggle to retain a professional in the manager’s office, it can undermine confidence in the council-manager form of government.

Professional management makes a difference. The experience and expertise of professionals at all levels of the organization matters.  Before you decide to leave an organization short of serving two years, consider this: Have you really done everything possible and feasible to leave the organization in better shape than you found it?

Members who need confidential advice on an ethics issue are encouraged to contact  Martha Perego, ICMA director of ethics (202-962-3668 / mperego@icma.org) or Jared Dailey, program manager (202-962-3557 / jdailey@icma.org).