Special Assistant - City Manager

Location : City Hall, 929 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC
Job Type: Full Time-Regular
Job Number: FY27-00070
Department: City Manager
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Post-Offer Required Pre-Employment Screenings: Driving History Check

Criminal History Check

Credit History Check

Education Verification

Drug Screen
Approved Hiring Salary/Range: $87,380.80 - $111,410.52
Full Salary Range: $87,380.80 - $135,440.24
Working Hours: The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Flexibility is required to attend City Council meetings as needed.

Position Description

Are you highly organized, proactive, and passionate about making a difference in your community? The City of Wilmington is seeking an Special Assistant to the City Manager to provide essential executive, administrative, and research support to the City Manager's Office.

In this role, you'll help keep City leadership informed, prepared, and connected by managing schedules and correspondence, coordinating meetings and community engagements, researching important issues, and facilitating communication across City departments and external partners. You'll play a key role in keeping priorities on track, gathering information, and ensuring important matters receive the attention and follow-up they need.

This is an exciting opportunity for a professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates sound judgment and discretion, and enjoys working behind the scenes to support effective City leadership.
Why This Position Is Important
The City Manager's Office plays a vital role in guiding City operations, supporting organizational priorities, and serving the Wilmington community. This position helps make that work possible by ensuring the City Manager is well-prepared, information is organized and accessible, and communication flows effectively between departments and community partners. Your attention to detail, initiative, and ability to anticipate needs will directly contribute to the effectiveness of City leadership and the services provided to our residents.
Typical Tasks
The following duties are illustrative of the work performed and are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Provide a full range of administrative support to the City Manager, including calendar management, meeting and travel arrangements, correspondence, preparation of documents, and maintenance of office records.
• Manage incoming calls, messages, correspondence, invitations, and requests; determine appropriate routing and follow-up, and promptly flag matters requiring the City Manager's attention.
• Prepare the City Manager for meetings, briefings, and public or community engagements by researching topics, organizations, participants, relevant City activities, and prior interactions or commitments.
• Gather reports, background materials, meeting agendas, and updates from City departments or other sources; prepare concise briefing notes, summaries, talking points, and supporting materials as requested.
• Conduct research on assigned issues, review information from available sources, and identify relevant facts, outstanding questions, or additional information needed for the City Manager's consideration.
• Communicate directly with City staff, government agencies, organizations, and other contacts to request information, clarify responses, coordinate arrangements, and obtain updates on assigned matters.
• Track information requests, assignments, meeting follow-up items, and commitments; monitor due dates, follow up with responsible individuals, and maintain current records of outstanding matters.
• Compile responses received from individuals and departments, check that requested information has been addressed, and provide the City Manager with organized updates, including unresolved issues requiring direction.
• Prepare presentations, briefing packets, letters, reports, and other written materials; review documents for completeness, accuracy, and clarity before submission.
• Serve as a professional point of contact for the City Manager's Office with elected officials, employees, residents, community representatives, and external organizations; refer policy decisions and matters requiring executive direction to the appropriate official.
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain files and correspondence consistent with applicable City procedures, confidentiality obligations, and public records requirements.
• Assist with special assignments and improvements to office tracking, communication, and administrative processes; perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Political Science, or a related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in executive administrative support, research, project coordination, or related professional support work, including supporting senior leadership OR an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Experience in local government or a similarly complex organization is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of executive office administration, business correspondence, records management, and general municipal government functions and procedures.
• Skill in researching unfamiliar topics, evaluating information from multiple sources, preparing concise written summaries, and organizing accurate briefing materials.
• Ability to anticipate the City Manager's needs, exercise independent judgment within assigned responsibilities, and recognize matters requiring executive direction or approval.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships, communicate tactfully with elected officials, City staff, and external stakeholders, and obtain timely responses without exercising supervisory authority.
• Ability to prioritize competing requests, maintain accurate tracking and follow-up systems, meet deadlines, and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency with standard office software, electronic calendars, spreadsheets, presentations, and document management systems.
Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed primarily in an office setting and involves frequent use of computers and other office equipment, regular communication with internal and external contacts, and changing priorities or time-sensitive requests. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.
Our Core Values:

INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY
Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.
What we offer:

The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options
• Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Free on-site city gym access
• Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
• Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
• Tuition assistance benefits

Applicant Status Updates: After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.
Health Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.

Health Insurance - The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.

Dental Insurance - Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.

Life Insurance - The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.

Retirement:
- NC Local Government Retirement System -All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.

- Deferred Compensation - The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to a 401(k) plan regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the 401(k) or 457 deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.
Paid Leave (offered to employees working at least 1,000 hours annually*):
- Sick Leave - 12 days accrued each year

- Annual Leave - Accrual based on years of service and classification. Employees can earn from 10 to 24 days each year.
- Holidays - 13 paid holidays annually
- Paid Parental Leave - Six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or placement of a child (must run concurrently with FMLA).

*Part-Time Employees will earn paid leave benefits on a pro-rated basis.

Miscellaneous:
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Short & Long Term Disability

- Cancer & Critical Illness

- Accident Insurance

- Whole Life Insurance
- Credit Union membership
- Access to City Fitness Center
Note: The City of Wilmington is on a bi-weekly pay cycle. New employees should expect to receive their first paycheck approximately 4 weeks after their start date.
**This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at for more information.**
01

Please acknowledge that you agree to fully complete all required sections of the application, including work experience, education, and the supplemental questionnaire; and that your responses are truthful and complete and can be verified within your application. Unacceptable response: entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response and may disqualify you from moving forward.

• Yes

02

Which best describes your highest level of education from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Political Science, or a related field?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Vocational/Technical Training or Certificate
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• None - N/A

03

How many years of experience do you have in executive administrative support, research, project coordination, or related professional support work, including supporting senior leadership.?

• I have no experience
• less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years or more

04

Please identify the company/agency/organization where you gained the experience described in question #3 and provide a brief summary. Note: These employers must be listed in the work history section on your employment application to receive credit. Entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response.
05

Please indicate the type(s) of governmental work experience that you have (responses should be supported by experience detailed on the application).

• Local / Municipal Government (City or County)
• Public School / University
• State Government
• Federal Government
• Other ( contract worker for government agency)
• I have no experience working for a government agency

06

What is your experience level working with MS Office?

• Basic
• Intermediate
• Advanced

07

The hiring salary for the position is provided in the job posting. Salary determination is supported by budget availability and qualifications of the candidate compared to internal equity. Please acknowledge that you understand this process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question