Cool Job of the Month

City Manager

Does the idea of overseeing the activities of a city excite you? Do you enjoy improving your community? As a City Manager, you would have the opportunity to change your city the way you've always wanted.

Why it's cool

• You are in charge of hiring and dismissing city staff.
• The opportunity to make positive changes in your community.
• In charge of the city's money through the yearly budget.
• Responsible for planning, directing and supervising the activities of city employees.
• Assist with special projects assigned by the city council.

Requirements for the Job

• Ability to manage a large staff in a hectic work environment.
• Communicating well with others to effectively convey information, whether it be through written work or verbally.
• Critical Thinking and the ability to identify and solve problems.
• Good Judgment and decision making skills.
• Active listening skills.
• Coordinating groups of individuals to accomplish tasks.

Education/Training

To become a City Manager you must obtain a Bachelor's degree or higher, plus relevant work experience. You do not have to follow a specific educational direction. Many current City Managers have explored various pathways and yet share the same career. A few options to be considered are as follows:

• Business Administration and Management, General
• Community Organization, Resources and Services
• Enterprise Management and Operation, General
• International Business
• Public Administration
• Public Administration and Services, Other
• Public Policy Analysis

Career Path/Average Salaries

A City Manager's salary ranges between $45,000 and $146,000. Salary often depends on the size of the city and the city manager's experience.

Related Occupations

• Education Administrators, Postsecondary
• Treasurers, Controllers, and Chief Financial Officers
• Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
• Food Service Managers
• Instructional Coordinators
• First-Line Supervisors, Administrative Support
• Human Resource Managers
• Natural Sciences Managers

JVIS Report

• You should consider this job if you score above average on the following Basic Interest Scales: Finance, Business, Office Work, Supervision, and Human Relations Management.
• Your JVIS Report should show one or all of the following occupation groups under your "Top 3": Occupations in Law and Politics, Administrative and Related Occupations, Personnel/Human Management, or Occupations in Accounting, Banking, and Finance.

For more information contact:

• The International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
  777 North Capitol St., NE, Suite 500
  Washington, DC 20002
  http://icma.org/
• The United States Conference of Mayors
  J.Thomas Cochran, Executive Director
  1620 Eye Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20006
  http://www.usmayors.org/USCM/home.asp
• ASPA National Office
  1120 G Street, NW Suite 700
  Washington, DC 20005
  http://www.aspanet.org