Deputy City ManagerCity of Ridgefield, WA Updated: 7/2021
CITY OF RIDGEFIELD, WA
JOB DESCRIPTION
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
Department: Administration
Pay Grade: 303
FLSA Status: Exempt
GENERAL PURPOSE
Assists in planning, directing, and reviewing the administrative activities and operations of the City
including implementing City policies and procedures, participating in major negotiations, coordinating
special projects for the City Manager, and coordinating assigned activities with other City
departments and community partners. Manages the Administrative Services Department including
planning, organization, management, oversight, and direction for the department, including
management of Risk Management & Claims Agent, City Clerk, Title VI, Human Resources, Labor
Relations, Information Technology coordination, Records Management, City event planning, and
community relations/outreach, and assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed
within budget.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from management staff. Maintains supervisory responsibility for all
employees assigned. Assists and advises on many supervisory responsibilities as a Human Resources
agent. Develops policies and coordinates training on supervisory issues. Maintains full responsibility
for the hiring, training, coaching, disciplining, and conducting performance reviews of staff. Prepares
work schedules. Assigns and reviews work. Provides work direction, assigns and approves overtime,
and oversees contactors.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Essential duties are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. They are
intended to be accurate summaries of what the job classification involves and what is required to perform it.
Employees are responsible for all other duties as assigned.
• Provides leadership and assists the City Manager in the day-to-day administration and operations
of the City government and in implementation of City Council priorities.
• Acts on behalf of the City Manager as assigned, on special projects, while attending community
partner or other agency meetings, or during the City Manager’s absence.
• Actively participates in the development of the City’s strategic business plan to achieve goals and
advance the organization to support and meet the needs of the residents and customers, both
internally and externally.
• Leads, guides and/or directs City staff in key initiatives, special projects, new programs and
complex policy development.
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• Manages and directs the City’s Human Resources activities, personnel systems, training,
employee relations issues, employment policies, and payroll and benefits administration.
• Develops and manages the City’s risk management program, develops risk reduction and
prevention practices and policies in conjunction with third party administrators, and oversees the
administration and adjudication of all non-litigation claims.
• Coordinates community outreach public information activities, manages events sponsored and/or
co-sponsored by the City, and serves as lead coordinator and content editor of City’s website and
other social media outlets.
• Manages labor relations, including taking the lead in the collective bargaining process for the two
City unions, provides contract administration and interpretation, and provides employees and
supervisors with assistance on provisions of contracts and labor relation issues.
• Serves as a member of the management team and participates in the City’s leadership structure
aiding and supporting the City Council, City Manager, and other Department Heads in strategic
planning, problem solving, short and long-term visioning, and resolution of issues or conflicts.
• Serves as a City representative with a variety of community organizations and committees,
including Ridgefield Main Street, First Saturday events, Ridgefield Business Association, Friends of
the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Ridgefield Art Association, etc.
• Oversees the design, development, and implementation of City-wide records and information
management program that complies with Federal and State laws and administers the function of
public records disclosure.
• Directs department personnel and assigns work tasks/monitor task progression.
• Engages actively in developing positive working relationships with internal and external
colleagues and customers, community, local businesses, civic and professional organizations, and
other governmental entities.
• Coordinates with community organizations and volunteers in the revitalization of the City's
historic downtown area and arts quarter.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is
qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Juris Doctorate or Human Resource
Management or equivalent experience.
• Experience: Eight years progressively responsible experience in municipal government, including
five years at a director level or higher. Leadership in a broad range of municipal functions
including legal and human resources, labor relations and negotiations, and risk management.
• Certifications/Licenses: None.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
• Management practices and supervisory techniques.
• Federal, State, and Local Employment Law.
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• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, including
customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer
satisfaction.
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Skill in:
• Managing organizational change initiatives.
• Adapting to needs of community.
• Gaining trust of team members, developing leaders, coaching, mentoring, disciplining, etc.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication and listening to needs of stakeholders
and partners, including soliciting input from the community when needed.
• Facilitating and/or managing projects.
• Providing assistance to public decision-making bodies.
• Utilizing sound judgment to make good decisions based on information gathered and analyzed
and considering all pertinent facts and alternatives before deciding on the most appropriate
action.
• Presenting and teaching adult learning theory while describing, explaining, and persuading via a
group of people or on a one-on-one basis.
• Facilitating the process between two or more parties seeking to discover a common ground and
reach an agreement to settle a matter of mutual concern or resolve a conflict.
• Writing clearly, presenting ideas and documenting activities effectively, and reading and
interpreting written information.
• Providing leadership and guidance to others to assist in becoming effective in area of interest or
field of experience.
• Interacting with people effectively and sharing and receiving information.
• Using small office equipment and computers.
Ability to:
• Work independently and under minimal supervision, with self-direction and motivation.
• Work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and
conditions.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with external customers and stakeholders
and staff at various levels of the organization.
• Promote transparency, support a collaborative work environment, value teamwork, empower
staff members, and encourage a creative approach to solving challenges.
All employees are expected to work in a manner consistent with the City of Ridgefield’s Team
Philosophy; specifically: work and act as a team player in all interactions with other city employees;
provide a high level of customer service at all times; project and maintain a positive image with those
contacted in the course of work; develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working
relationships with team members and others; and consistently provide quality service.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Occasional travel for training and/or conferences. Job requires work beyond 40 hours per week due
to nature of responsibilities. Work occurs primarily in an office environment subject to continuous
interruptions and background noises.
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or
negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move
objects, including the human body.
• Must possess the physical ability to work primarily with fingers, perceive the nature of sounds,
make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, express or exchange ideas
by the spoken word, substantial movements (motions) with the hands, wrists, and/or fingers, and
discern letters or numbers at a given distance.
• Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: grasping, handling, hearing, manual
dexterity, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job
functions herein described. As every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees
may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may reasonably
be considered incidental in the performing of their duties as though they were included in this job description.
I have read and understand this classification description and hereby certify that I am qualified to
perform this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
_____________________________________ __________________________________
Employee Signature Date
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Supervisor (or HR) Signature Date