Rockton, IL (pop. 7,863) - The Mayor and Board of Trustees for the Village of Rockton are seeking a talented, resourceful, and energetic professional to become the first Village Administrator. Rockton is located in Winnebago County, Illinois, along the banks of the Rock River, just a few miles from the state’s northern border. Rockton is part of the Rockford, Illinois metropolitan area. The community is known for its safe neighborhoods, its historic downtown, its beautiful parks and open spaces, its excellent public schools, and the many community festivals and special events held throughout the year that attract people from throughout the entire region. The Village consists of 7.1 square miles.

The Community
Rockton is located in the beautiful Rock River Valley. The Village features beautiful and well-preserved historic commercial and residential districts, notable landmarks, and a bullish sense of community. Rockton boasts a unique blend of small-town charm, friendliness, and safety while providing convenient access to many modern urban amenities in nearby large metropolitan areas.

Rockton also takes great pride in its excellent educational systems. Rockton School District #140 was formed in 1975 by the consolidation of the Stephen Mack School District and Rockton Elementary District. It covers 50 square miles and has an enrollment of 1,600 students at three schools: Stephen Mack Middle School, the Whitman Post Elementary School, and Rockton Grade School.
Students from Rockton and nearby Roscoe, Shirland, and parts of South Beloit, attend Hononegah Community High School #207, where outstanding academic quality is a tradition. Students’ cumulative ACT scores consistently rank among the top percentiles in the Northern Illinois Conference.
The Municipal Government
The Village of Rockton operates under the Village Board form of government. The legislative branch of the consists of the Board of Trustees, which creates policies that are administered by the Village Mayor. The Village Trustees are elected at large to four-year overlapping terms. The Mayor is also elected at-large to a four-year term.

The Village of Rockton provides a wide range of municipal services, which are divided among the six operating departments: Administration, Clerk, Police, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation. The following functions are housed in the Administration Department: Village Treasurer, Village Attorney, Code Enforcement, Community Development, Collector, Engineering, and Special Events.

The Village’s annual General Fund budget totals $9.6 million. It employs 39 full-time staff along with 26 part-time/seasonal employees.

The Village Administrator
The Rockton Mayor and Trustees have created the new position of Village Administrator to serve as the municipality's chief administrative officer. The entire Village Board unanimously supported this new position.

The Village Administrator will oversee all administrative work performed by Village employees and department heads. ln addition, the Administrator will provide direct, first-level supervision to administrative staff employees. The Village Administrator will be responsible for implementing all Board actions, including ordinances, resolutions, and other Board adopted policies.

Qualified candidates must have a thorough understanding of all facets of municipal government operations. Candidates are required to possess a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field of study. A Master's Degree in public administration or other related field is preferred, but not required. Candidates should have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial/administrative public sector experience. Preferably in a local government environment. Supervisory experience is also very desirable.

The Mayor and Board of Trustees have determined that the ideal candidate for the position will possess the following experience, professional skills, leadership traits, and personal attributes:

• Consistently exhibits exceptional leadership qualities including honesty, integrity, diplomacy, accountability, empathy, engagement, and enthusiasm.
• Uses leadership skills to create a strong team-oriented culture among the members of the Village leadership team. Serves as a coach, mentor, and teacher to the department heads while establishing clear performance expectations.
• Accepts criticism with maturity, objectivity, and professionalism. Does not inappropriately react to negative comments, even when a comment might not be fair or justified.
• Is accessible and approachable to employees, elected officials, and residents of the community.
• Builds effective relationships with the Mayor, Trustees, staff, community organizations, citizens, and all other internal and external stakeholders by consistently demonstrating integrity, dedication, respect, maturity, and trust.
• Provides professional recommendations to the governing body on all policy matters based on unbiased, thorough, and objective analysis.
• Will be a careful, thoughtful, and conservative steward of the community’s finances.
• Has significant experience in economic development and a proven track record of attracting new businesses/employers to their previous communities.
• Is committed to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in carrying out the position's responsibilities.
• Is experienced and knowledgeable about procuring and administering state and federal grants. Has been successful in writing grant applications as well as locating alternative funding sources for capital projects and operational programs.
• Is an outstanding overall communicator and places a high priority on transparency.

Compensation and How to Apply
The annual starting salary range for the position is $100,000 to $125,000 DOQ/E. The Village of Rockton will provide the Village Administrator with a highly competitive and comprehensive array of fringe benefits. Relocation assistance may be negotiated with the successful candidate. Apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with a resume, cover letter, and contact information for five work-related references by May 30, 2025. Confidential inquiries about the position and/or the selection process should be directed to Mark Peterson, MGT Approved Independent Executive Recruiter, at 309-825-5091. The Village of Rockton is an Equal Opportunity Employer.