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Wichita City Manager Recruitment Profile
The Wichita City Council is recruiting a city manager. This recruitment profile has been prepared for potential candidates on the background of the Wichita community, Wichita city government, the duties of city manager, qualifications for the position, and other information relevant to the recruitment.
Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, has 357,698 residents and is the county seat of Sedgwick County. Major highways, including the Kansas Turnpike and Interstate I-135, link the City to a large trade area, which includes one million people within a 100-mile radius. The nearest large cities are Kansas City, to the northeast; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, respectively to the south and southeast; and Denver, to the west.
The City of Wichita was incorporated in 1870 and the extension of the Santa Fe Railroad extended into the City powered early growth. With the expanding agricultural productivity of the Central Plains States the City became a regional hub for processing agricultural products and distributing farm equipment. The discovery of oil east of Wichita in 1914 broadened the City’s economic base, attracting numerous services, distributive enterprises and metalworking industries. During World War II, the City’s economy was fundamentally transformed into a world center in aviation manufacturing, producing general aviation, commercial and military aircraft and earning its distinction as The Air Capitol of the World. After opening in 1951 McConnell Air Force Base has become one of three supertanker KC-135 Stratotanker wings in the U.S. Air Force, promoting global reach through air refueling and airlifting missions and further reinforcing Wichita’s identity as a world center for aviation.
Wichita’s population has grown nearly 28 percent since 1980 and averaged nearly one percent annual growth the past five years. The City currently covers 160 square miles. Significant annexation activity (more than 20 square miles) has occurred in the last decade, leading to expansions in City services, primarily infrastructure and public safety improvements.
Wichita’s racial and ethnic composition is comparable to that of the nation. Currently, the fastest growth rate is among Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics. Eighty-five percent of Wichita’s citizens, aged 25 years and older, have graduated from high school.
The City is served by eight school districts, and there are dozens of private and parochial schools serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The largest school district in Wichita (USD 259) operates approximately 100 schools, which were upgraded with a $284.5 million bond issue in 2000. There are 15 colleges and universities in the Wichita area, including Wichita State University, University of Kansas-School of Medicine, Friends University, Newman University and Wichita Area Technical College.
Wichita is a first-class regional medical center with 17 acute care and specialty hospitals providing approximately 3,100 licensed beds. In addition there are approximately 50 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. More than 1,200 physicians provide services in a four-county area (Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey, Cowley).
Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, the largest airport in Kansas, is a combination commercial air carrier and general aviation complex, providing accommodations for aircraft. There are nine passenger carriers and four major freight carriers providing air service.
Wichita has 117 municipal parks and greenways covering more than 4,300 acres. There are five City-owned golf courses, four other public golf courses and six membership-only private courses. Semi-pro baseball (Wichita Wingnuts), minor-league hockey (Wichita Thunder) and indoor football (Wichita Stealth) are based in Wichita.
Cultural activities include art, natural and historical museums, theater, the Mid-American All-Indian Center, the Wichita Symphony, Music Theatre of Wichita, the Metropolitan Ballet, Old Cowtown Museum, Sedgwick County Zoo, Exploration Place, and many other cultural attractions.
Special ethnic, sports, and holiday events take place year-round, including the three-day Wichita Aviation Festival in the fall and the nine-day Wichita River Festival in May. A regional draw, the River Festival was named one of the top 100 tourist attractions in North America. Its total economic impact in 2007 was an estimated $25 million.
Wichita is the leading convention and tourism center in Kansas. Century II is the convention headquarters downtown. The Kansas Coliseum, just north of the city, is a multipurpose facility that plays host to a variety of events including an eclectic mix of concerts as well as livestock shows. Intrust Bank Arena, which also is under construction, is scheduled to open downtown in 2010.
The revitalized downtown area features Old Town, the entertainment, dining and residential district that is the leading destination spot for visitors. The Wichita WaterWalk, a retail, restaurant and residential development, is under construction along the banks of the downtown Arkansas River. The Intrust Bank Arena will provide a new venue for concerts, sporting events and various entertainment shows. The Hyatt Regency Wichita hotel and the new Courtyard by Marriott in Old Town have added to the large selection of hotels in the city.
Wichita ranks as one of the nation’s top cities in affordable living. In 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors, the median sales price of existing single-family homes in the Wichita MSA was $113,400, compared to the national average of $219,300. The median sales price of a newly built single-family home is $170,000, substantially below the national median price of $245,300.
Wichita’s employment includes a broad mix of businesses, with a base of relatively high-paying manufacturing jobs. Major private employers include Cessna, Spirit AeroSystems, Hawker Beechcraft, Boeing, Via Christi Regional Medical Center, Bombardier Learjet, Dillon Stores, Koch Industries, Wesley Medical Center, AGCO Corp, Johnson Controls, Coleman, Cargill Meat Solutions, Wichita Clinic, and Intrust Bank. Diversifying the economy and providing a wide variety of global goods and services are small, mid-sized and large companies, including Koch Industries, the world’s largest privately held company.
In 1917, Wichita became one of the first municipalities in the United States to adopt the council-manager form of government. Today, the City of Wichita is the largest municipal organization in Kansas, distinguished by a long tradition of professional government and committed to providing efficient, high quality services to its citizens. Wichita is governed by a directly elected Mayor and a six member City Council with members elected by districts to four- year overlapping terms.
The Mayor is elected at-large to a four-year term. The Mayor and City Council conduct all legislative functions for the City of Wichita and establish general policies, which are executed by the City Manager. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is ultimately responsible for all employee appointments and terminations excluding the Municipal Court judges, who are directly appointed by the City Council.
Wichita has been the recipient of numerous awards including being a three-time winner of the All-America City Award. Additionally, the City is the only three-time recipient of the internationally coveted Webber Seavey Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement. The City also received the prestigious Ford Foundation’s Innovation in State and Local Government Award from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government for its solution to groundwater pollution in downtown Wichita.
The City’s FY 2008 total budget is $495,620,000 and there are 3,300 municipal employees. The City Manager has oversight of the following individuals and departments:
- Two Assistant City Managers responsible for administration and operations
- The Office of the City Manager
- Airport
- Art Museum
- Office of Central Inspection
- Environmental Services Department
- Finance Department
- Fire Department
- Housing and Community Services Department
- Human Resources Department
- Information Technology/Information Services Department
- Law Department
- Library
- Municipal Court
- Parks and Recreation Department
- Planning Department
- Police Department
- Public Works Department
- Transit
- Water and Sewer Department
| Powers and Duties of City Manager |
State statutes (Kansas Statues Annotated 12-1011 through 12-1015) define the powers and duties of the city manager as follows:
The administration of the city’s business shall be in the hands of a manager. The manager shall be appointed by and hold office at the pleasure of the Council.
The manager shall be chosen solely upon the basis of administrative ability. Choice shall not be limited by any residence qualifications.
The manager shall be responsible for the administration of all of the affairs of the city. He or she shall see that the laws and ordinances are enforced.
The manager shall appoint and remove all heads of departments, and all subordinate officers and employees of the city. All appointments shall be made upon merit and fitness alone. He or she shall be responsible for the discipline of all appointive officers, and may, without notice, cause the affairs of any department or the conduct of any officer or employee to be examined.
He or she shall prepare and submit the annual budget to the governing body and also keep the city fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the city.
He or she may make recommendations to the Council on all matters concerning the welfare of the city, and shall have a seat, but no vote, in all of the public meetings of the governing body.
All department heads shall make regular reports to the manager, and be ready at all times to furnish him or her with such information as he or she may require.
He or she shall perform such other and further duties as may be required by law or ordinance.
| Qualifications for the Position of City Manager |
The Wichita City Council has established qualifications for the position of city manager as follows: Minimum qualifications:
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ten years experience in a position of management responsibility in local government or in a closely related line of work; and
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a bachelors degree in public administration or related field from an accredited university. Preferred qualifications:
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fifteen years experience in a position of management responsibility in local government or in a closely related line of work; and
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a masters degree in public administration or related field from an accredited university.
| Qualities Sought in the Recruitment of a City Manager |
The Wichita City Council has identified the qualities desired in the selection of a city manager as follows:
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Evidence of superior communication skills, including listening skills, with authoritative decision makers, external community stakeholders, members of internal organization, and the media;
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Demonstrated ability to inspire trust and confidence in government through vision, accountability, and transparency;
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Evidence of commitment and skills in resolving conflicts and building consensus through collaboration and partnerships in the community;
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Capable of performing with a high level of energy in a fast paced and multi-faceted environment;
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Experience in managing an organization with political, operational, and financial complexities comparable to the city government of Wichita;
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Experience in exercising leadership in a diverse community; and
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Unblemished record of personal integrity and ethical conduct.
| Tentative Timetable for Recruitment of City Manager |
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February 5: City Council approves recruitment profile and announces vacancy.
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April 1-15: Citizens Committee begins screening of applications and recommends final candidates.
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May 1-15: City Council conducts interviews of final candidates and selects city manager.
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July 1: New city manager begins work.
City Manager of Wichita KS. Salary: negotiable, competitive with cities of similar size. Three managers since 1975. Mayor elected at large and six-member council elected by district. $496 million budget; 3,300 employees. Manager charged with administering city, appointing personnel, submitting budget, and making recommendations on all matters concerning welfare of the city. Service responsibilities include airport, art museum, central inspection, environmental services, finance, fire, housing and community services, human resources, information technology, law, library, municipal court, parks and recreation, planning, police, public works, transit, water and sewer. Ten years experience in a position of management responsibility in local government or in a closely related line of work and a bachelors degree in municipal management required; fifteen years and masters degree preferred. Applications are accepted until position is filled; Citizens Committee begins screening applications after April 1. Letter of application including salary history, resume, and three work-related references in confidence to Chair, Citizens Committee, % Interim City Manager, 455 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67202. Recruitment profile available at: Wichita.gov
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Related to The Search for a New City Manager |
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Citizens Committee begins screening applications after April 1.
Letter of application including salary history, resume, and three work-related references in confidence to:
Chair, Citizens Committee
% Interim City Manager
455 N. Main
Wichita, KS 67202
EOE
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