Employment Opportunity

City Manager

City of Muskegon Heights

MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

The City of Muskegon Heights is in southwestern Muskegon County, four miles from the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and less than 40 miles from Grand Rapids. The city was chartered in 1903 and covers approximately 3.8 square miles. The city’s population is 10,860. Muskegon Heights is a tight knit, family-oriented community. It is known as “The City of Friendly People” and is one of the oldest communities in the southwest quadrant of Muskegon County. The city is seeking an experienced City Manager with exemplary leadership skills; strong interpersonal skills; and experience working in a team environment. Required qualifications for this position include a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, change leadership, organizational leadership, or an appropriate related field. A master’s degree is desired. A minimum of three years executive level experience is required. Experience in economic development, budget and finance, human resources and labor relations, supervision, and water filtration systems is required. The city is seeking a visionary leader who is trustworthy, transparent, and accountable. The City of Muskegon Heights also offers incentives related to residency. Desired qualifications include being certified in economic development and experience working in the private sector.

POPULATION

10,860

SIZE

3.8 sq. miles

BUDGET

$7.14 million

STARTING SALARY

$80,000-$95,000

City of Muskegon Heights City Manager

MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

Muskegon Heights is a close-knit community that is family oriented and full of generational history. The City rests within the Muskegon County limits. It is home to many sites, attractions, and parks, including Muskegon Museum of Arts, West Michigan Symphony, Muskegon Civic Theatre, Hackley & Hume Historic Site, and Mona Lake and Pere Marquette Parks. The summers are filled with festivals and tailgating after football games. The people of Muskegon Heights are resilient and take pride in their independence and community. The City is a blank canvas with the opportunity to renovate, diversify, rebuild, and educate. Higher education isn’t far away. Baker College is just five and a half miles away and Grand Valley State University is 29 miles away. Young people with energy and ideas make up the community. The average age in Muskegon heights is 30.5-years-old. The median home value is $42,900, boasting affordability and opportunity.

THE COMMUNITY

MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Muskegon Heights is a full service, home rule City with a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of the mayor and six members of the City Council elected at-large to serve four-year terms. The mayor recommends - and the City Council appoints - the City Manager, City Clerk, and Police Chief. The City has a total general fund budget of $7,145,694 and 64 full-time employees.

MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

OPPORTUNITIES • Cosmetic updates to housing stock • Technology; utilizing residents to work alongside Manager • Leadership development • Neighborhood improvements and affordable housing market • Downtown revitalization and more business development • Water filtration and beach

CHALLENGES

• Aging infrastructure needs • Underutilized water filtration plant • Under employment • Commercial business disinvestment • Underdeveloped Downtown Business District • Perception of the community both internal and external • Public safety

The incoming City Manager will find the following opportunities and challenges awaiting his/her attention in Muskegon Heights, in no particular order:

MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The City is seeking highly motivated and energetic local government administrators and will consider applicants qualified who possess the following knowledge and experience:

• Required: Public administration, business administration, change leadership, organizational leadership, or an appropriate related field.

• Required: A minimum of three years executive level experience, particularly in economic development, budget and finance, human resources and labor relations, supervision, and water filtration systems.

• Preferred: Master’s degree in one of the above fields.

• Desired: Certification in economic development and experience working in the private sector.

Applicants receiving serious consideration will have highly developed collaborative and facilitation skills with a natural affinity for creating and maintaining successful relationships. Among the skills desired in a resume and letter of introduction are these:

• A visionary leader • Trustworthy • Transparent with city council and the community • Accountable

The new City Manager will be a leader and a partner, using his or her drive and dedication to move the city and its government forward. He or she will ideally have the following character traits and personality:

• High ethical standards • Strong sense of integrity • Respectful of others • Ability to build positive relationships with

the community and City officials

MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

APPLICATION PROCESS

APPLY BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS June 5, 2019

Please submit resume, cover letter, salary history, consent form, and five professional references to:

Email: execsearch@mml.org, Subject Line: Muskegon Heights Search -OR- Mail: Michigan Municipal League,

ATTN: Muskegon Heights Search, 1675 Green Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Questions can be directed to MML Executive Recruiter Joyce Parker at joyce_parker@msn.com. Candidates desiring confidentiality of their interest, as allowed for and provided by Michigan law, must indicate such in a separate subject line above the body of the cover letter. This search is conducted by an Equal Opportunity Employer.