Nestled along the banks of the Willamette River and steeped in a rich history, Milwaukie enjoys the comforts of a small town, as well as the benefits of its close location to Portland. The industrious and determined spirit that inspired Milwaukie’s settling in the 1840s is still alive today in the people who work and live this unique city. Milwaukie strives to stay true to itself and the spirit of the community, even if that’s unconventional at times, while upholding a strong sense of optimism that keeps everyone persistent in their pursuit for shared successes. Woven through the fabric of the community is the value placed on ingenuity, equity and community connection. Milwaukie prizes creativity to get things done by finding innovative solutions, and residents embrace originality to find new ideas that better the community.
Together, these strengths contributed to the 2017 visioning process that received an outpouring of support from the community and led Milwaukie to receive an Award for Public Involvement and Participation from the Oregon chapter of the American Planning Association. They can also be found in the city’s robust and thriving business community. With more than 1,500 companies, including Oregon Tool, Bob’s Red Mill, Dark Horse Comics and Precision Castparts Corporation, Milwaukie is home to several of Oregon’s largest and most iconic employers. These same values drive events in Milwaukie each year. The Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting, Winter Solstice & Christmas Ships Party, Earth Day Celebration, Milwaukie Farmers Market, First Fridays, and neighborhood concerts combine creativity and positivity to help bring the community closer together.
The 2017 vision calls for Milwaukie to be “a flourishing city that is entirely equitable, delightfully livable, and completely sustainable.” Milwaukie continues to focus on the future with an eye on establishing programs to support the goals of the community. The city recently finished several pedestrian and bicycle safety improvement projects as part of the Safe Access for Everyone (SAFE) program, with more in progress. The city is also addressing issues related to equity, inclusion and justice, while moving forward on projects and programs outlined in Milwaukie’s climate action plan.
As part of the city's efforts to fulfill this vision, services at city hall and its facility on Johnson Creek Boulevard will consolidate into a new home on Main Street in fall 2023. The redevelopment of the current city hall building will be a catalyst project for the community, serving as a commercial hub for Milwaukie's downtown core and providing dedicated space for local non-profits.
The next assistant city manager must enjoy working in a small city government with opportunities to know all of its stakeholders and build relationships throughout the organization, community and broader region. The position regularly takes on special projects on behalf of the city manager, and must be open to serving in a variety of capacities throughout the city as needed. The next assistant city manager will be a proven leader with skills and experience in supervision, including supervising other managers. A skilled communicator, this individual manages expectations and provides regular, clear feedback to those in leadership about key city priorities.
The next assistant city manager will enjoy the flexibility of working on high-level policy, while also serving as a handson contributor to various municipal functions and City Council goals.
The assistant city manager reports to the city manager. This position serves as their right hand, overseeing the City Manager’s Office and localized budget. The position supports City Council in state and federal activities, while supporting city staff in negotiations and creation of intergovernmental agreements. Depending on their areas of expertise, the assistant city manager may also manage a portfolio of departments and divisions.
Education / Experience
Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, or a related field, from an accredited college or university and five years of progressively responsible public sector management, including three years of supervisory experience. Or the city will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, certifications and experience to meet the minimum position qualifications. If you are interested in applying, the city encourages you to think broadly about your background and skillset for the role.