Town Administrator

Overview of Position Little Compton is a town with approximately 3500 residents, located in the southeast corner of Rhode Island. The town is characterized by farms, beaches and two small villages. The towns annual budget is almost $20 million. The Town Administrator (TA) is the chief administrative and operational officer of the Town of Little Compton. The TA is responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the town, implementing policies set by elected officials, and ensuring efficient delivery of public services, consistent with state law, the Town charter and Town ordinances. The TA oversees most municipal departments and coordinates interdepartmental operations and communications. Little Compton Town government consists of the following departments: Finance and Tax Collections Tax Assessor Building and Zoning Administration Police Fire Public Works Information Technology Human Resources Senior and Social Services The Town Clerk* School Department* *There is a separate structure for the School Department, which is overseen by an elected School Committee, and the Town Clerk is an elected official who manages the functions of that office. Supervision The Town Administrator (TA) works under the policy direction of the Town Council. The TA functions with considerable independence and is directly accountable for their actions. The TA performs work of a complex nature requiring the exercise of considerable independent judgment and initiative. The TA provides professional guidance to the Town Council, department heads, town departments, boards and committees concerning the development, implementation and administration of policies, goals, regulations, and statutory requirements related to the administration and operation of the Town. This involves analyzing difficult administrative problems and recommending solutions. The TA has direct supervisory responsibility for all department heads reporting to the Town Council, as well as administrative and office staff, including part-time positions. Employees are located at different locations and may work different shifts. Essential Job Functions Oversee and assume responsibility for the planning, administration, personnel management, procurement of services/equipment, and coordination of the daily operation of the Town as delegated by the Town Council and the requirements of existing policies, procedures and bylaws, state statutes and federal laws; Provide leadership and direction in the development of short and long-range plans; gather, interpret and prepare data for studies, reports and recommendations. Provide professional advice to the Town Council and department heads, make presentations to boards, the Town Council and the public; Act as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town Council, inform the agenda, and attend all meetings of the Board. Receive and make appropriate disposition or referral of all Town Council correspondence and communications. Anticipate needs of the Town Council for information and background material. Ensure that all decisions of the Town Council are carried out. Keep the Town Council fully advised regarding departmental operations and financial health; Establish goals, objectives, policies based on the needs of the Town. Provide supervision, direction and guidance including regular communication and development of goals/objectives for all town staff and reporting department heads; assists all departments in any administrative or operational areas to insure regulatory, statutory or procedural compliance; Establish and oversee the annual budget process from developing instructions and setting deadlines, to providing materials and recommendations for Appropriations and Capital Planning reviews. Coordinate the development of strategic financial goals for the Town. Make recommendations concerning financial policies and practices. Review