SELECT BOARD

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

DEFINITION

The position serves as the chief administrative officer of the Town, performing administrative, technical, and supervisory work in assisting the Select Board to oversee town departments, activities and projects; researches, analyzes and recommends changes in town policies, systems and procedures, and serves as liaison and coordinator between elected and appointed town officials, employees and citizens; all other related work as required.

The Select Board may, from time to time, by majority vote, authorize the position to perform certain administrative and supervisory functions on its behalf and may, from time to time, modify or rescind such authority by like vote.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Responsible for the professional and administrative responsibilities for directing town affairs, including the planning, organizing, supervising, staffing, and directing all activities and operations of town departments and other town agencies under the jurisdiction of the Select Board.
• Recommends the appointment, discipline, and removal of department heads, officers and employees under the Select Board, and all other town officials and employees for whom no other method by law or bylaw is provided, excepting persons serving under any board or commission which is elected by the voters of the town. Such recommendations shall be consistent with applicable civil service laws and rules and with labor agreements and town by-laws.
• Coordinates, oversees, and supervises the activities and service delivery of town departments and agencies under the Select Board.
• Oversees, on behalf of the Select Board, to work closely with the town's human resources department to coordinate, but not be limited to, matters relating to recruitment, selection, performance evaluation, wage surveys, training, and all collective bargaining matters.
• Participates in the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets on behalf of the Select Board, coordinating such preparation with the Finance Director, department heads, and representatives of boards and commissions, making such recommendations as may be advisable or necessary to preserve and maintain the healthy fiscal condition of town government and its services.
• Serves as the town's affirmative action officer, contract compliance officer, fair housing officer, and ADA Coordinator, exercising all responsibilities for local compliance with federal and state mandates for these programs.
• Responsible for the procurement of departmental supplies, materials, equipment, and services; evaluates responsiveness and quality, and awards contracts for same, as necessary.
• Attends all regular and special meetings of the Select Board, making recommendations as necessary and requested; serves on working committees of the board in order to effectively implement board policies.
• Attends all sessions of town meetings, and makes presentations on request for assisting town meeting in carrying out its responsibilities.
• Responsible for overseeing the process of maintenance, repair, and rental of all town-owned facilities, except those under the Library Trustees and School Committee.
• Maintains full and complete inventory of all town-owned property, both real and personal, for inclusion in town insurance policies.
• As authorized by the Select Board, coordinates the development and preparation of town meeting warrants, and ensures that warrants and annual reports are printed and published.
• Acts as town's insurance coordinator, ensuring that all pertinent policies are solicited and evaluated, available, and in force, that claims for damages are properly processed, recommends the award of contracts for all policies.
• Negotiates all contracts for employees covered by collective bargaining units and all other employees on behalf of and subject to the approval of the Select Board, except those under the jurisdiction of the School Committee.
• At the direction of the Select Board, examines or causes to be examined the conduct of any division or department under the jurisdiction of the Select Board, and upon request, those under other duly elected officers.
• Presents annually a report to the Select Board and the town, citing accomplishments and the financial condition of the town.
• Performs such other duties, consistent with the office, as may be required by the Select Board.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

Employee works under the policy direction of the Select Board. Employee exercises administrative and management responsibilities over town operations and departments under the jurisdiction of the Select Board in conformance with general directives and objectives set forth by the Select Board. Employee seeks advice of the Select Board on matters of policy adjustment or where required by law.

As the Select Board's representative, employee has supervisory oversight responsibility of various department heads and staff (full-time employees, part-time employees, including each department's subordinate staff employees). Employee recommends new hires and terminations, takes disciplinary action, and evaluates employees subject to the approval of the Select Board. The nature and volume of work fluctuates greatly, work is subject to significant and daily changes in volume, with the ability to plan for events based upon prior training and expertise. Staff are located in several locations, generally on the same work shift. Employee is required to work outside normal business hours on a daily basis and/or at night on an as-needed basis, year-round, to work on weekends and be contacted at home to respond to important situations. The employee has full access to personnel files, collective bargaining negotiations, lawsuits, and criminal investigations and all records for the town.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Duties include primary responsibility for a major functional section of the organization for technical processes, service delivery, and contribution to organizational plans and objectives and fiscal responsibility for the section, including buildings, equipment and staffing utilization. Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment could severely jeopardize department operations or have extensive financial and legal repercussions. Poor judgment could have a continuing adverse effect.

JUDGMENT

Guidelines, which may be in the form of administrative or organizational policies, general principles, legislation or directives that pertain to a specific department or functional area, only provide limited guidance for performing the work. Extensive judgment and ingenuity are required to develop new or adapt existing methods and approaches for accomplishing objectives or to deal with new or unusual requirements within the limits of the guidelines or policies. The incumbent is recognized as the authority in interpreting the guidelines, in determining how they should be applied, and in developing operating policies for a major functional section of the organization. The incumbent accepts responsibility while exercising authority for planning, operating and oversight.

COMPLEXITY

The work consists of managerial functions and processes such as planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating, evaluating, integrating activities and programs for a major functional area of the organization.

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Incumbent has constant interaction with local, state, and federal government officials, community leaders, and any other individuals to protect and promote the organization's overall interest. The incumbent must possess a high degree of diplomacy and judgment and must be able to work effectively with, and influence, all types of persons. Duties require a well-developed sense of strategy and timing in representing the organization effectively in critical and important situations that may influence the well-being of the organization.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The employee has access to confidential information, including official personnel files, lawsuits, criminal records/investigations, client records, and department records, as well as medical and psychological records.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Master's degree in Public Administration or related field preferred. Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field required. Seven (7) years of municipal government experience in a progressively responsible management and administrative capacity, possess a valid driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

A candidate for this position should have:

• Extensive multidisciplined knowledge of municipal government functions, organization, methods and techniques employed in the operations of such government;
• Extensive knowledge of the statutory, by-law, and other provisions relating to the organization, functions, and operations of town government;
• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and processes of municipal management and administration;
• Considerable knowledge of financial management, budgeting, human resources management, risk management, constituent services, procurement, and records management, as they apply to municipal government;
• The ability to analyze a variety of administrative issues, to make recommendations for their resolution, and implement recommendations;
• The ability to plan, organize, staff, evaluate, direct, and control the administration of town service programs;
• The ability to ascertain and present facts and ideas effectively, both orally and in writing;
• The ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with elected officials, including schools, department heads, civic and business groups, employees, the general public, and all other levels of government; and
• The ability to institute projects and studies on own initiative under changing timelines, priorities, and deadlines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Incumbent may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to emergency situations or to attend evening meetings.

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS

Physical Skills

Work is typically in an office setting, involving sitting, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. When in the field, may require some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period. Occasionally, work may require lifting heavy objects and carrying them (up to 50 lbs.). There may be need to stretch and reach to retrieve materials.

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Qualifications

Master's Degree in Public Administration or related field preferred. Bachelor's degree Public Administration or related field required. Seven (7) years of municipal government experience in a progressively responsible management and administrative capacity. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Special Requirements

For further information, potential candidates are directed to the Municipal Resources, Inc. website at www.mrigov.com/career or to contact Municipal Resources, Inc. at 603-279-0352 ext. 330.
To apply, submit a resume and cover letter, in confidence, as a single PDF attachment to [email protected] by Monday, August 17th, 2026, at 8 AM EDT.

Miscellaneous Information

Salary is up to $235,000 along with a competitive benefits package and an employment contract, commensurate with education and experience.