UNALASKA, ALASKA CITY MANAGER. Executive Recruitment for

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1 Executive Recruitment for UNALASKA, ALASKA CITY MANAGER GovHR USA is pleased to announce the recruitment and selection process for City Manager for the City of Unalaska, Alaska. This brochure provides background information about the City of Unalaska and the municipal organization, as well as the challenges, opportunities and expected qualifications for the position. If the idea of becoming part of a dedicated team of professionals serving and living in a community with a thriving economy and quality of life like no other interests you, submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for five (5) professional references to Stephen Veitch at Electronic submissions are required. Upon submission applicants will be asked to complete a City of Unalaska Employment Application. The recruitment for this position will remain open until the position is filled, with the first review of resumes on November 15, You may contact Stephen Veitch at (480) or any questions about this position to SVeitch@GovHRUSA.com. Additional information about the City of Unalaska can be found on the City s website: Thank you for your interest in this unique opportunity! Stephen B. Veitch, Vice President GovHRUSA, LLC 630 Dundee Road, Suite 130 Northbrook, Illinois Formal Applications should be submitted to:

2 PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT Unalaska, Alaska (4,700) Unique, beautiful and dynamic Unalaska is seeking a visionary and collaborative leader to become its next City Manager. Located on an island of the same name, situated in the Aleutian Chain 800 miles southwest of Anchorage, Unalaska is the 12 th largest city in Alaska and the largest in the Aleutians. It is home to the International Port of Dutch Harbor, which consistently ranks first or second in the nation for the size and value of its seafood catch. Unalaska s 4,700 creative, friendly, culturally diverse and industrious people enjoy excellent schools, low crime and no unemployment. The City of Unalaska is a professionally managed and financially healthy organization staffed by 166 talented, hardworking and successful people. It operates under the Council/Manager form of government. The City Council seeks candidates for the City Manager position who have vision and resilience, and who will exhibit a collaborative and welcoming approach with elected officials, residents, community organizations, business and industry, and employees. The successful candidate will have the following qualifications and experience: Bachelor s degree in public administration, business administration or related field. Graduate degree in public administration or related field preferred. Ten (10) years progressively responsible experience in council/manager municipal government, with five (5) years at a management level. Experience as a city manager, assistant city manager, or other executive level position highly desirable. Rural community and Alaska experience a plus. Strong experience in budgeting and financial planning, utilities management, public works administration, project management, community development and economic development highly desirable. Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication and team-building skills essential. Knowledge/experience in human resources and employee relations, environmental protection, emergency planning and operations, maritime law and marine operations desirable. Starting salary $150,000 +/- DOQ/E. Attractive benefits package including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, audio) at no cost to employees and dependents, and participation in the Alaska Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Alaska does not have a state income tax. Apply online with resume, cover letter and contact information for five (5) professional references to to the attention of Stephen Veitch, Vice President, GovHRUSA, 630 Dundee Road, Suite 130, Northbrook, IL Tel: Upon submission applicants will be asked to complete a City of Unalaska Employment Application. The recruitment for this position will remain open until the position is filled, with the first review of resumes on November 15, COMMUNITY BACKGROUND Unalaska is a dynamic and thriving community situated in a breathtakingly beautiful setting in the Aleutian Islands off mainland Alaska. Located 800 miles southwest of Anchorage, and 50 miles from the Great Circle route, Unalaska is the 12 th largest city in Alaska, and the largest the Aleutians. Unalaska is a vibrant mix of industry and history connected by 27 miles of roads linking its port to its local businesses and residential community. Unalaska occupies one of the busiest and most prosperous stretches of coastline in Alaska. Its economy is based on commercial fishing, seafood processing, fleet services and marine transportation. Unalaska sits in the heart of the healthy and robust North Pacific/Bering Sea fisheries zone. It is home to the International Port of Dutch Harbor, the only deep draft ice-free port from Unimak Pass west to Adak and north to

3 City Manager the headwaters of the Bering Straits. The Port provides year-round protection for disabled or distressed vessels as well as ground and warehouse storage and transshipment opportunities for the thousands of vessels that fish or transit the waters surrounding the Aleutian Islands. The Port of Dutch Harbor consistently ranks first or second in the nation in the quantity and value of the seafood catch landed. Unalaska is home to 4,700 creative, friendly, culturally diverse and industrious people who enjoy excellent schools, low crime, year-round outdoor activities, and no unemployment. Although remote, Unalaska is most assuredly not isolated. Additional information concerning Unalaska s population, economy, education, health care, climate, leisure activities, community organizations, transportation and shipping, utilities, government, and taxes, can be found in the Unalaska Community Profile at delivery of public services. In addition to the Offices of the City Manager and City Clerk, City departments include: Administration; Finance; Planning; Public Safety; Public Works; Parks, Culture & Recreation; Public Utilities; and Ports and Harbors. Current authorized personnel strength is 166 FTE and the total budget for FY2018, including proprietary funds, is approximately $78 million. UNALASKA AT A GLANCE Population: 4,376 (2010 Census); approximately 4,700 (current estimate) Incorporated: March 3, 1942 Current City Budget: $78 million Land Area: sq. mi. ( sq. mi. land; sq. mi. water) Households: 927 (2010) Average Household Size: 2.46 (2010) Average Family Size: 3.17 (2010) Mean Annual Temperature: 40.9 F THE MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION The City of Unalaska is designated as a first-class city and is located within the Unorganized Borough. It operates under the Council/Manager form of government. The Mayor and six members of the City Council are elected at large for three-year overlapping terms. The City Council is responsible for setting vision, establishing policy, approving an annual budget and associated appropriations, and appointing a professional City Manager who advises the Council, implements policy and oversees the operations of the local government. The City Manager appoints all department directors and works closely with elected officials and City staff to develop a culture of high performance and excellence in CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES The next City Manager can expect to work closely with elected officials, City staff, and other community stakeholders on a wide variety of challenges and opportunities, including (not listed in order of importance): Team-building and strategic planning among elected officials, City staff and other stakeholders. Maintaining and enhancing relationships among the City, the Ounalashka Corporation, the Unalaska City School District and the Qawalangin Tribe.

4 Developing and maintaining a sustainable City long-range financial plan and budget. Overseeing the completion of major capital projects, including the Unalaska Marine Center ports project. Partnering with all stakeholders to ensure availability of sustainable healthcare facilities and services in the community. Continuing constructive relationships with the fisheries industry and promoting sustainability of open water fisheries. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA The Unalaska City Council is seeking candidates with high integrity, a welcoming and collaborative approach, and an orientation toward results to serve as the City s next City Manager. The following education, experience, leadership, management style and personal traits have been identified as important attributes for candidates to possess and demonstrate. Community and economic development, including diversification of the local economy and growing and enhancing Unalaska s housing stock. Maintaining effective relationships with State and Federal governmental entities, and dealing with challenges presented by intergovernmental revenue issues. Addressing issues with the frequency and reliability of air service to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor. Enhancing internet service access and speed. Development of alternative energy sources. Addressing environmental concerns including landfill capacity, DOD remediation, bio matter disposal, accumulation of industrial debris, and inshore water quality and fish habitat. Electric, water and wastewater utility planning, operations, expansion and upgrades. Capital maintenance of infrastructure and municipal property. Addressing challenges in recruitment, retention of City staff, as well as staff succession planning. Comprehensive review of municipal policies and procedures. Education, Experience, Knowledge and Skills Candidates must have a bachelor s degree in public administration, business administration or a related field. A graduate degree in public administration or a related field is preferred. Candidates should have 10 years progressively responsible experience in council/manager municipal government, with at least 5 years at a management level. Experience as a city manager, assistant city manager, or other executive level position is highly desirable. Experience in a rural community is a plus, as is experience in an Alaska municipality. Candidates must have proven experience in creatively solving complex problems involving multiple stakeholders. Candidates must have strong interpersonal and teambuilding skills, strong oral and written communication skills, and strong public speaking and presentation skills.

5 City Manager Candidates should have experience engaging in strategic planning processes among diverse stakeholders in the community. Familiarity with Indigenous Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations is a plus. Candidates should have extensive experience in municipal financial planning and budgeting, management of municipal utilities, municipal public works administration, contracts and project management, and economic and community development. Candidates must have experience in municipal human resources management, recruitment, retention and development of staff, collective bargaining and succession planning. Candidates must have experience in intergovernmental relations at the State and Federal levels, including administration of grant agreements and grant funds. Candidates should have experience developing and implementing policies, procedures and processes, and a commitment to improvement in processes and systems. Experience in a coastal community and familiarity with marine operations and maritime law is desirable. Management Style and Personal Traits The ideal candidate will: Be a person of humility who exhibits highest standards for honesty and integrity. Be a person who welcomes diversity of opinion. Be a person who is energized by challenges and brings a creative and results oriented approach to solving problems; a person who thrives in a place where there is real opportunity to make things happen. Be a person who leads with an open style, views stakeholders as partners, and deals with all in a professional, fair, straightforward, and responsive manner. Be a critical thinker able to distill information with clarity and who provides considered advice and a steady voice. Be a person who believes in and has a history of organizational transparency and encouraging the involvement and input of staff. Be a person who embraces cultural diversity and is naturally collaborative, with a desire and ability to work effectively with all stakeholders. Be a person who exhibits a calm, disciplined and communicative demeanor. Have a management style that involves delegation of responsibility and authority, accountability for achievement of goals and objectives, while encouraging staff and helping them to be successful. Be a patient, resilient, and visionary leader with the ability to focus on the big picture, anticipate problems and opportunities, and understand current and past practices without being constrained by them. Be a person who will appreciate the history of Unalaska and the partnerships that exist in the community, including in unique partnership with public education and the essential role played by non-profit organizations.

6 Be a good listener. Be a person who meets people where they are and is committed to nurturing and developing talent in others. Be a person who enjoys working in a family atmosphere, in an organization that prizes teamwork and whose members genuinely care for one another. Be a person who will be visible and involved in the community and who recognizes the value and importance of quality of life resources and activities. Be someone who embraces the realities of island life and is comfortable with the need to travel frequently on behalf of the City. Have a sense of humor. Be someone who enjoys the outdoors and will relish the opportunity to live and work in a truly amazing place. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The starting salary for the City Manager is anticipated to be approximately $150,000, dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected. The City of Unalaska offers an attractive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, audio) at no cost to employees and dependents, and an annual air transportation allowance. The position participates in the Alaska Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Alaska does not have a state income tax. Photo Credit: Andrew Chiles

7 Organizational Chart City Manager