ATOKA Tennessee Recruitment Profile Town Administrator Town of Atoka 334 Atoka-Munford Avenue Phone : (901) 837-5300 Atoka, Tennessee 38004 www.townofatoka.com
INTRODUCTION This Recruitment Profile discusses the qualifications and experience identified by the Town of Atoka as necessary and desirable in candidates for the Town Administrator position in Atoka, Tennessee. This document also provides background on the community and the organizational structure of the Town. The Town intends to conduct a national recruitment process with this profile serving as its guiding document. This profile is intended to provide specific criteria by which all applications will be screened for initial interviews and, ultimately, by which a finalist will be selected to be considered for appointment. All inquiries regarding the recruitment and selection process for the Town Administrator position are to be directed to the attention of the contact below: Debbie Pickard, Town Recorder 334 Atoka-Munford Avenue Atoka, Tennessee 38004 Phone: (901) 837-5300 Email: DPickard@townofatoka.com COMMUNITY BACKGROUND The Town of Atoka ( Town ), with a population of 9,474 residents, is a private act charter city in Tipton County, Tennessee. Founded in 1876 as a railroad town, Atoka is a community rich in history and confidently pursuing its future as a great place to call home. Located 25 miles north of Memphis and 190 miles west of Nashville, Atoka's location at the intersection of Highway 51 and State 206 gives residents and businesses easy access to the metro Memphis area, Interstate 40, the state capital and the Tennessee River recreational area. Atoka hosts the annual Atoka BBQ Festival bringing top teams in the Memphis Barbecue Network to town each April as one of the first events on the annual MBN calendar. Coupled with recreational activities for families and live music, the event has become a local favorite and a sign of spring in Atoka. Other annual events include Rock the Block, Safe Night Out, the Adkison Park Tree Lighting and Santa's Ride in Atoka. Video highlights of these annual events are available at www.townofatoka.com/videos. The town's economy continues to shift from the agriculture-based economy of the 1900's to the ever-diversifying manufacturing and service economy of today. The significant residential growth experienced since 1990 has brought with it a demand to new services, shopping and dining options an effort the Town is actively engaged in supporting. Much of the area surrounding Atoka continues to be active farmland, keeping the community connected to its roots while driving growth forward towards its future. Atoka has aggressively invested in park facilities and infrastructure improvements in recent years investing millions of dollars in road improvements, utility system upgrades and park facilities to support a healthy, active community. Park improvements include the award-winning Walker Park Splash Pad, the new Nancy Lane Park Playground and the Atoka Greenway Trail. Atoka hosted the Dixie Youth Softball World Series in 2014 at Nancy Lane Park. Atoka is served by the Tipton County School System with Atoka Elementary School providing K-5 education for nearly 1,000 students. Consistently ranked as the top
elementary school in the county, ATES recently expanded to provide additional space for classrooms and special instruction. Atoka students are also served by Brighton and Munford middle and high schools offering award-winning extracurricular activities including the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program and marching bands at each school. Tipton County is also home to the Covington campus of the Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) to provide further educational opportunities to students in the region. Outdoor enthusiasts find quick access to the Shelby Farms recreational area, fishing at local lakes and a full slate of sporting opportunities through the Atoka Parks and Recreation program. The Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, just south of Atoka, offers tours, cabin rental, hiking, boating, and mountain biking trails through the bluffs and bottoms of the 12,000-acre park that borders the Mississippi River. To support future growth, Atoka has continued to upgrade its infrastructure and facilities to meet the needs of the community both today and tomorrow. Infrastructure investments currently in design include the Atoka Water Plant feasibility study, intersection improvements to SR206 and Rosemark Road, Atoka Greenway Trail Phase II and a sewer system expansion to serve the Squires Grove subdivision. Efforts underway include an LED streetlight conversion, curbside trash and recycling collection, a multi-year street improvement plan and proactive wastewater system upgrades. In 2016, the Town opened the new Atoka Municipal Complex providing more than 22,000 square feet of operational space and emphasizing the importance of providing modern, energy-efficient, accommodating space for the public. TOWN GOVERNMENT The Town of Atoka is a private act charter municipality organized under Tennessee law. Atoka operates under the Mayor-Board of Aldermen-Administrator form of government and has enjoyed a stable political environment over the past several years. The Board of Aldermen consists of six members, elected atlarge to serve four-year, staggered, terms. The Mayor is elected at-large every four years. The Town Administrator serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Town, guiding and directing the day-to-day operation of municipal government in Atoka. The Town currently operates with five municipal departments and more than fifty-five full-time staff members. GUIDING PRINCIPLES The Town has, over the past year, worked to develop vision and mission statements to guide and direct the efforts of municipal operations. The following statements have been developed by the Town's Leadership Team. Vision Statement To be recognized for excellence, innovation and customer service with a friendly, small-town approach. Mission Statement The Town of Atoka is a forward-looking, constantly-improving organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Atoka by providing professional, cost-effective, community-focused municipal services. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR The Town Administrator is appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The Administrator is the Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Town. With the approval of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the Town Administrator is responsible for the appointment and removal of Department Heads. The Town Administrator is responsible for more than 55 full and part-time employees across Town operations. The number of part-time
employees increases substantially during the summer months as several departments hire temporary seasonal employees. Town Departments include Administration, Fire, Parks & Recreation, Police and Public Works. The Town also provides water and sewer utility services and manages the contracted collection of residential trash and recycling. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Atoka's next Town Administrator can expect to encounter the following challenges and opportunities in the coming years: Provide the Town of Atoka with a vision for guiding the steady economic growth and development seen in the community during the past several years Significant leadership is needed to manage budget constraints caused by increasing operational costs and the infrastructure needs associated with community growth while maintaining and improving service to the citizens of Atoka. Foster the team approach to municipal operations that has been put into place in Atoka over the past five years. The Town values and supports inter-departmental collaboration to improve service delivery to our citizens and the new Administrator should build on those successful efforts. The Administrator is expected to support chain-of-command management and leadership recognizing that the Town makes every effort to hire qualified, competent employees who excel when being free to do the jobs for which they were hired. The pursuit of economic development for the Town will continue to be a top priority for the next Town Administrator. He / she will be expected to work closely in support of South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce to recruit developers to the community. Care must be given to draw the type of development that benefits Atoka residents and compliments existing commercial opportunities while strengthening the tax base. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA The following factors of education, experience, management style and personal traits have been identified by the Town of Atoka as ideal attributes for candidates to possess to function effectively in the position. The starting salary range for the position is $63,345 - $81,682, depending on qualifications and experience. As an employee of the Town of Atoka, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits plan designed to support the health, wellness and financial security of you and your family. From health and dental plans to vacation time and retirement contributions, the Town is proud to offer our employees a variety of options to meet their goals and needs. Education and Experience (not necessarily in order of importance) Possess a bachelor's degree in public/business administration, public policy, urban management, public finance or related field from an accredited university; a master's degree in public administration is preferred; ICMA credentialed status is a plus. Have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience and a record of achievement as a Town Administrator or Manager, or an Assistant Administrator or Manager, or a Department Head in a full service, growing community of similar size and function as Atoka, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Have demonstrated experience in leading Town staff in creative and innovative efforts to develop and address the Town's short- and long-term goals. Have experience in intergovernmental relations, maintaining relationships with
appropriate local, county, state and federal jurisdictions and agencies in a constructive and cooperative manner; be able to effective represent the Town's interests to these groups and be an advocate for the Town when appropriate. Have a successful record of working with community institutions, business leaders and citizens' groups in a cooperative and constructive manner. Have the experience to effectively translate Board of Mayor and Aldermen direction promptly, accurately and supportively to Town staff, ensuring timely implementation of policy directives; hold staff accountable for project progress and results. Be current on emerging trends and best practices in municipal government, advising the Town's elected officials and leading Town staff in implementing these efforts. Have experience in managing a broad range of municipal services. Have a demonstrated record of effective public presentations, including outstanding communication (oral and written) skills and a track record of successfully resolving citizen concerns. Have demonstrated financial management and budgeting skills with a record of developing and implementing fiscallyconservative yet forward-thinking programs. Demonstrate understanding of infrastructure financing and the development of priorities for capital improvement programming; be aggressive in exploring alternative revenue sources. Be familiar with operational reviews and employee performance evaluation; be committed to the efficient and effective delivery of municipal services and programs; and, be creative and innovative in reviewing government services, programs and organizational staffing levels. Be skilled in public and media relations, capable of openly and honestly articulating the Town's position to citizens, media, community groups and organizations; appreciate the need for regular and timely communication with these groups; follow a policy of appropriate disclosure in public presentations; have an attitude of transparency with local government operations. Possess technological skills and be proficient in the use of personal computers, including experience in Microsoft Windows-based operating systems and the Microsoft Office suite of products. Be capable of attracting, developing and retaining a highly qualified professional staff, maintaining the strong team management approach to service delivery and government administration that is in place currently in the organization. Management Style and Personal Traits (not necessarily in order of importance) Have the ability, skill and desire to take command of the organization, define its goals, and provide direction to the staff and department personnel. Be a strong, yet thoughtful, leader with the ability to successfully facilitate and direct staff to identify, evaluate and prioritize management issues that are instrumental in meeting current and longrange needs of the community. Be an excellent communicator and a good listener; be someone who honestly and openly seeks and enjoys the input of others whether they are citizens, elected officials, or staff. Possess complete integrity and exemplify professional and personal characteristics of impeccable behavior that meet the highest standards. Have a collaborative, engaging, active and team-building style of dealing with a
broad range of stakeholders within and external to the organization. Have a maturity, self-confidence, and strength of professional convictions to firmly and diplomatically present management recommendations that are best for the Town. Be comfortable in delegating responsibility to professional staff as a team player and leader, empowering employees, while holding staff accountable for the achievement of goals and objectives; develop a sense of empowerment, innovation, and teamwork among senior Town staff. Have the vitality and energy to motivate and lead others, be someone who seeks and enjoys a challenge, have a positive attitude, establishing respect and a presence in the organization and community. Be able to educate the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the public about the direction of the organization, objectively, openly and impartially. Promote a strong, service-oriented, customer relations approach by all Town employees in dealing with citizens and the business community. Be creative and willing to implement change in a constructive, proactive, positive manner. Be a people person, approachable and accessible; be sincerely empathetic with the ability to understand citizens perspectives. Believe in and value the importance of education as a significant part of the current and future strength of the Town. Become vested in the community and be willing to commit a reasonable tenure to the Town of Atoka. A desire to ensure an enjoyable work environment for staff and constituents. PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT The following, or similar, text has been released for insertion in appropriate professional publications and internet sites. Town of Atoka, Tennessee Town Administrator Atoka, TN (population 9,474). Dynamic, growing community in west Tennessee seeks a progressive, innovative, and professional Town Administrator to lead its organization of more than 55 full-time employees. The town has grown dramatically in recent years yet maintains the friendly, small-town feel that makes Atoka a great place to call home. Atoka is the largest incorporated municipality in Tipton County. Located just north of Memphis and Shelby County and 190 miles west of Nashville, Atoka's location at the intersection of Highway 51 and State Route 206 gives residents and businesses easy access to the metro Memphis area, Interstate 40, the state capital and the Tennessee River recreational area. Two Town Administrators since 2005. $9.4 million annual budget. Bachelor s degree required; Master s degree in public or business administration preferred. Five+ years of significant and progressively responsible experience as an Administrator, Assistant or Department Head in a community of comparable size and complexity is preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to initiate efficient operations, budget/fiscal management, economic development, team building, employee management skills required. Residency is required within agreed upon time of appointment. Appointed by Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Starting salary $63,345 - $81,682, depending on qualifications and experience. Apply by April 16, 2018 to: Debbie Pickard, Town of Atoka, 334 Atoka-Munford Avenue, Atoka TN 38004. Tel: (901) 837-5300; Email: dpickard@townofatoka.com. The Town of Atoka is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.