1st CITY ADMINISTRATOR!!!

Small, welcoming, tight-knit rural South Dakota community seeking its first-ever City Administrator. Howard operates under the Aldermanic Council-Mayor form of government with a Mayor and six City Council members. The City has a $1,538,139 operating budget, $3,594,905 across five enterprise funds, 6 full-time employees, 5 part-time employees, 17 seasonal/temporary employees, and 27 volunteer firefighters.

This is a rare opportunity to help build the City’s administrative structure, strengthen day-to-day operations, support long-term financial and capital planning, and partner with elected officials, staff, and the community to advance Howard’s future.

**Ideal Candidate**

• Collaborative, steady, and service-minded
• Strategic planner and long-range thinker
• Strong financial and operations manager
• Comfortable in a small-town, rural community environment
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Team-builder who values accountability and staff development
• Community-focused problem solver
• Skilled in capital planning, infrastructure, budgeting, and implementation
• Committed to transparency, professionalism, and public service
• Able to work closely with the Mayor, City Council, staff, residents, and community partners

**Responsibilities**

Under the direction of the City Council, the City Administrator manages the daily operations of the City, oversees a $1,538,139 operating budget and $3,594,905 budget across five enterprise funds, and ensures effective contract management and compliance.

The City Administrator will execute Council policy, lead budget development and management, promote economic development, supervise City personnel, and help establish the systems, expectations, and accountability needed for effective service delivery.

The position will also play a vital role in creating a comprehensive long-term planning framework addressing capital improvements, financing strategies, debt management, sustainable growth, infrastructure investment, and the overall financial health of the community.

**Qualifications**

**Education**
Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Planning, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.

**Experience**
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in local government management, public administration, finance, planning, operations, or a closely related field. Prior municipal leadership experience is strongly preferred.

**Compensation & Benefits**

Salary range: **$80,000–$110,000 DOQ**

Benefits include Medical/Dental paid at 100%/100%, $25,000 life insurance, retirement with 6% City match plus supplemental options, paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, and paid professional development.

For more information, please view the full Recruitment Profile:
files.municipalsolutions.org/jobs/howard-sd-city-administrator.pdf