CITY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA
Challenging opportunity to live and work in a high quality of life community. Reading, with a population of 82,200, covers just under ten-square miles in southeastern Pennsylvania. Reading is one and one-half hours from Philadelphia and two and one-half hours from New York City by auto. Reading is the County seat of Berks County which was created in 1752. Reading became an incorporated borough in 1783, a city in 1847, and a Third Class City (its current status) in 1874. Reading has more than 6 million visitors annually. Residents enjoy a variety of choices for outdoor activities. Governing law in Reading is Home Rule Charter. Reading has a strong mayor form of government with a mayor elected at large for a four year term. There are seven members on the City Council, six are elected by districts and one (President of Council) is elected at large. The Mayor is accountable for the executive branch of City Government. The Managing Director is appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. This is an opportunity to establish a precedent and turn around a community that is fiscally distressed and challenged. There are many redevelopment opportunities in the community, including riverfront development. The Managing Director reports to the Mayor and takes direction from the Mayor. The Managing Director position is the senior executive and administrative position in the City government. Duties include executing and enforcing the provisions of the City Charter and all ordinances, resolutions, and motions of City Council; directing and supervising the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided by the Charter or by law; appointing, suspending, or removing any City employee, except as otherwise provided by the Charter or by law; preparing and submitting to the Mayor on an annual basis, a five-year financial plan and budget; supervising and directing the negotiation and administration of any collective bargaining agreements with City employees; submitting to the Mayor a complete report of the finances and administrative activities of the City within 30 days of the end of each fiscal year. Issues facing the City include financial issues; major capital improvement needs in wastewater treatment plant; potential to sell water to surrounding communities; crime; economic development/redevelopment; changing demographics. The successful candidate will be a strong leader and manager, and a dedicated professional with a Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or equivalent plus at least three year's experience at an executive or administrative level, or a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or equivalent plus at least five years of experience at an executive or administrative level. The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker, able to effectively handle day to day internal City operations; able to focus on efficiency in government; able to look at the organization and various City operations from a professional point of view; organized, articulate, bright and able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Starting salary is negotiable, depending on experience and qualifications, in the range of $90,000 to $110,000 plus a competitive fringe benefit package. See www.cityofreadingpa.com for more information. Recruitment brochure available from The Mercer Group, Inc. Confidential resumes should be sent by February 1, 2004, to James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 5579B Chamblee Dunwoody Road, #511, Atlanta, GA 30338. Phone: 770-551-0403; Fax: 770-399-9749; E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com. The City of Reading is an Equal Opportunity Employer.