CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Howard, a small, welcoming, tight-knit rural South Dakota community, is seeking its first-ever City Administrator. The City operates under the Aldermanic Council-Mayor form of government with a Mayor and six City Council members. Howard has a $1,538,139 operating budget, $3,594,905 across five enterprise funds, 6 full-time employees, 5 part-time employees, 17 seasonal/temporary employees, and 27 volunteer firefighters. This is a rare opportunity to help build the City’s administrative structure, strengthen day-to-day operations, support long-term financial and capital planning, and partner with elected officials, staff, and the community to advance Howard’s future.

About the Role

The ideal candidate is collaborative, steady, and service-minded with strengths in strategic planning, financial management, and operations. Comfortable in a small-town, rural environment, the candidate should be an effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills, a team-builder who values accountability and staff development, and a community-focused problem solver. Key skills include capital planning, infrastructure, budgeting, and implementation, with a commitment to transparency, professionalism, and public service. The City Administrator will work closely with the Mayor, City Council, staff, residents, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the City under the direction of the City Council.
• Oversee a $1,538,139 operating budget and $3,594,905 budget across five enterprise funds.
• Ensure effective contract management and compliance.
• Execute Council policy and lead budget development and management.
• Promote economic development and supervise City personnel.
• Establish systems, expectations, and accountability for effective service delivery.
• Create a comprehensive long-term planning framework addressing capital improvements, financing strategies, debt management, sustainable growth, infrastructure investment, and the overall financial health of the community.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Planning, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in local government management, public administration, finance, planning, operations, or a closely related field.
• Prior municipal leadership experience is strongly preferred.

Pay

Salary range: $80,000–$110,000, dependent on qualifications.

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance paid at 100%.
• $25,000 life insurance.
• Retirement plan with 6% City match plus supplemental options.
• Paid sick leave and vacation leave.
• Paid professional development.