The Vermont League of Cities and Towns, a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that exists to serve and strengthen local government, seeks an experienced municipal operations practitioner to work one-on-one with local government officials of Vermont's flood impacted communities to assess municipal operational capacity, determine targeted plans to address vulnerabilities, highlight opportunities and advance recovery and long-term resilience efforts. This work may include assisting municipalities in their flood recovery efforts relative to FEMA's Public Assistance Program, as well as in the development of a strategy and implementations plan for long term disaster resilience projects. The ideal candidate will enjoy working directly with legislative body members, municipal clerks and treasurers, managers, administrators, and finance staff to teach and mentor them as they navigate their disaster recovery work.
VLCT will use a USDA Rural Development grant aimed at building capacity in municipalities by strengthening municipal finance, operations, and management capabilities to ensure more municipalities can successfully and skillfully respond to future disasters.
The ideal candidate will have a degree in public or business administration, political science, or equivalent subjects and at least five years' experience working for or with a Vermont municipality serving in an administrative role and responsible for municipal operations oversight.
VLCT offers a competitive salary (anticipated range is $75,000 - $90,000 depending on experience) and an extensive benefit package, which includes participation in the VMERS retirement system, a 401(a), employer paid health insurance and dental premiums, generous vacation, sick and holiday time, flexible work schedules and remote work opportunities (within Vermont). This is a full time, 3-year, limited service position. Applications will be accepted until June 7, 2024. EOE.
Nature and Scope of Position
This is a professional position that provides technical assistance to local government officials through VLCT's newly formed Finance, Operations and Management Assistance Program.
The Municipal Operations Specialist assists local officials (elected, appointed and staff) with the discharge of their official duties in the overall operations of their municipality. This position is a generalist with broad knowledge of the unique structure of Vermont's local governments and the tasks necessary for the successful execution of daily municipal operations under the requirements and practical application of Vermont law. This position will work one-on-one with local officials of municipalities that were impacted by the 2023 floods to assess municipal operational capacity, determine targeted plans to address vulnerabilities, highlight opportunities and advance recovery and long-term resilience efforts. This work may include assisting municipalities in their flood recovery efforts relative to FEMA's Public Assistance Program, as well as in the development of a strategy and implementations plan for long term disaster resilience projects.
In addition to targeted technical assistance, the Municipal Operations Specialist will respond to member inquiries, draft and review guidance documents and policy templates, and develop replicable systems, processes and tools that can be used by municipalities immediately that will make them prepared for the next disaster.
The Municipal Operations Specialist will work collaboratively and cooperatively with other VLCT teams such as the Municipal Assistance Center legal team on member training and resources and Intergovernmental Relations team to provide opinions on legislative policy areas affecting government operations. This position will seek opportunities for partnerships with external organizations to augment, enhance and or complement VLCT's technical assistance offerings.
This is a 3-year limited-service position and reports to the Director of the Program.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Municipal Operations Specialist include but are not limited to:
- Collaborate to develop a comprehensive municipal operations capacity assessment tool to be used in the first in-person interaction with a municipality seeking program support.
- Perform introductory in-person site visits to become familiar with local officials, identify a representative of the governing body as the point of contact and conduct municipal operations capacity assessments.
- Work with the municipal points of contact to identify priorities and develop targeted workplans to address identified gaps in assessments.
- Develop and deliver small, targeted trainings.
- Host regular "office hours" for municipal officials interested in having unscheduled, informal conversations.
- Collaborate with VLCT's Government Finance Specialist to determine common areas of opportunity and vulnerability and develop resources to improve them.
- Collaborate with Vermont Emergency Management to develop ready-to-use tools that help municipalities manage projects related to Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance (FEMA PA) eligible work or other disaster related programs.
- Assist in the creation, review and update of model policies and guidance to provide an "in practice" perspective to their application and use in Vermont's municipalities.
- Develop content, resource documents, templates, and publications on relevant municipal operations topics.
- Participate in external seminars, workshops, and training programs as a speaker, upon request, with the approval of the Director.
- Communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with other VLCT staff on education, training, publications, and inquiries as needed.
- Partner with the Intergovernmental Relations and Municipal Assistance Center teams to identify opportunities in Vermont law for improvements, clarifications and/or new legislation on the topic of municipal operations to benefit VLCT's members.
- Develop and maintain relationships with municipally focused organizations, including but not limited to the Vermont Town and City Management Association, Vermont Municipal Clerks' and Treasurers' Association, regional planning commissions, regional development corporations, etc.
- Respond to questions regarding operational matters from officials of member municipalities and log them into tracking databases.
- Any other duties as determined by the Director, Finance, Operations and Management Assistance Program.
Work Requirements
- Knowledge of and experience with:
- Principles and practices of Vermont municipal operations, governance structures and administration.
- Working with elected and appointed municipal officials.
- Municipal finance, budgeting, and accounting.
- Capital improvement and asset management plans.
- State and federal laws and regulations, town ordinances and policies and procedures affecting municipal governments including but not limited to finance, public works, planning, personnel practices, access to public records and open meetings.
- Federal and state grant programs - drafting applications, compliance and administration, closeout, etc.; Uniform Guidance.
- Ability and/or expertise to:
- Communicate clearly and directly, both orally and in writing.
- Organize and use time effectively and handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
- Interact with individuals and groups with a wide range of municipal knowledge, experience, and skill sets.
- Listen closely and help to manage and resolve conflict.
- Solve problems employing critical, analytical, strategic thinking.
- Speak publicly both virtually and in person.
- Self-motivate and self-direct work with very limited supervision.
- Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Effectively and efficiently manage time and resources.
- Possess a strong desire to optimize efficiency in processes and practices.
- Deliver excellent customer service.
- Embrace VLCT's mission and uphold this mission with its membership.
Education, Training and Experience Requirements
- B.S or B.A. Degree preferred, with a course of study in public or business administration, political science, or equivalent subjects.
- A minimum of five years' experience working for or with a Vermont municipality serving in an administrative role and responsible for municipal operations oversight.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Knowledge of and experience in using New England Municipal Resource Center software preferred, but not required.
- Possession and maintenance of a valid driver's license in good standing.
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