Village Administrator | Village of Bourbonnais

Under the direction of the Village President and Board of Trustees, the Village Administrator serves as the Village’s chief administrative officer and is responsible for the effective, efficient, and professional management of Village operations.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Village Administrator implements policies and directives established by the Village Board; coordinates the activities of Village departments; oversees municipal personnel and administrative functions; assists with development and administration of the annual budget; monitors capital improvement and infrastructure projects; evaluates municipal services and operations; and provides professional advice and recommendations to the Village President and Board of Trustees.

The Village Administrator serves as a key liaison between elected officials, Village employees, residents, businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment, professionalism, discretion, accountability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic municipal environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Village Administration and Governance

• Serve as the chief administrative officer of the Village and provide professional administrative leadership for municipal operations.
• Implement policies, ordinances, resolutions, and directives adopted by the Village President and Board of Trustees.
• Advise the Village President and Board of Trustees regarding municipal operations, policies, programs, legislation, and emerging issues.
• Prepare staff reports, recommendations, presentations, and other materials for Village Board meetings.
• Coordinate the preparation of Village Board meeting agendas and supporting materials with appropriate staff.
• Attend Village Board, committee, and other meetings as assigned.
• Ensure that Board directives are communicated effectively to appropriate staff and implemented in a timely manner.
• Maintain a professional and productive relationship with elected officials while preserving appropriate administrative boundaries.
• Identify operational issues and recommend improvements, policies, procedures, and organizational changes.

Departmental Coordination and Municipal Operations

• Coordinate the activities of Village departments and ensure effective communication among departments.
• Establish administrative priorities and monitor departmental performance.
• Evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of municipal services.
• Develop and implement administrative procedures and operational standards.
• Facilitate interdepartmental cooperation and problem-solving.
• Acting lead role on economic development within the Village of Bourbonnais, including TIF Administrator.
• Monitor major projects, contracts, service agreements, and initiatives to ensure compliance with Board direction, budgetary requirements, and established timelines.
• Review and recommend improvements to municipal programs, services, facilities, and processes.
• Promote innovation, technology, efficiency, customer service, and continuous improvement throughout Village operations.

Personnel Administration

• Provide leadership and direction to Village department heads and administrative personnel.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, hiring, orientation, evaluation, discipline, and separation of Village employees, consistent with Village policies and applicable law.
• Establish performance expectations and promote accountability throughout the organization.
• Coordinate employee performance evaluation processes.
• Identify training and professional development needs.
• Promote a positive, respectful, ethical, and service-oriented organizational culture.
• Work with Human Resources and department leadership regarding personnel policies, compensation, employee relations, workplace issues, and organizational development.
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, Village policies, and personnel procedures.

Budget and Financial Management

• Assist the Finance Department, and department heads in development of the annual municipal budget.
• Review departmental budget requests and make recommendations regarding funding priorities.
• Monitor revenues, expenditures, purchasing, and overall financial performance.
• Review financial reports and identify significant trends, concerns, or opportunities.
• Assist in establishing long-range financial and capital planning strategies.
• Monitor major expenditures and contracts for compliance with approved budgets.
• Work with the Finance Director, auditors, consultants, and other financial professionals as appropriate.
• Promote responsible stewardship of public funds.

Capital Projects and Community Development

• Oversee and coordinate major Village capital improvement projects and initiatives.
• Monitor project schedules, budgets, contracts, and consultant performance.
• Coordinate with engineers, architects, contractors, developers, attorneys, governmental agencies, and other project stakeholders.
• Assist the Village Board in identifying and prioritizing capital needs.
• Support long-range planning for municipal facilities, infrastructure, public spaces, equipment, and technology.
• Coordinate economic development, redevelopment, land-use, and community improvement initiatives as directed by the Village Board.
• Maintain effective relationships with local businesses, developers, civic organizations, and regional partners.
• Promote orderly growth.
• Foster a pro-business climate.
• Enhance community livability.
• Guide development that aligns with the Village’s Comprehensive Plan.

Intergovernmental and Community Relations      

• Represent the Village with other governmental agencies, municipalities, counties, regional organizations, and community partners.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, county, and local governmental officials and agencies.
• Monitor proposed legislation and governmental initiatives affecting the Village and communicate significant issues to the Village President and Board.
• Participate in professional municipal organizations and regional partnerships.
• Serve as a visible and professional representative of the Village when attending community meetings, public events, and other functions.

Resident and Public Relations

• Promote responsive, professional, and courteous customer service throughout Village government.
• Respond to resident concerns and inquiries or ensure that matters are directed to the appropriate department.
• Assist in communicating Village policies, programs, projects, and initiatives to residents and businesses.
• Work with the Village’s communications staff to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent public information.
• Assist with sensitive or high-profile public issues and coordinate appropriate administrative responses.

Risk Management and Legal Coordination

• Work with the Village Attorney, insurance providers, consultants, and department heads regarding legal, regulatory, liability, and risk-management matters.
• Assist in ensuring that Village operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Review contracts, agreements, policies, and administrative procedures as appropriate.
• Identify potential operational, financial, personnel, or legal risks and recommend appropriate action.

Emergency and Special Situations

• Participate in emergency management and continuity-of-government activities as assigned.
• Coordinate municipal administrative response during emergencies, significant incidents, severe weather events, or other community disruptions.
• Serve as a point of coordination among Village departments and outside agencies during significant incidents.
• Participate in emergency preparedness planning and exercises.

Other Duties     

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Village President and Board of Trustees.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of municipal government administration.
• Illinois municipal government structure and operations.
• Public budgeting and financial administration.
• Personnel administration and employment practices.
• Public procurement and contract administration.
• Strategic planning and organizational management.
• Public-sector policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Capital improvement planning and project management.
• Community and economic development principles.
• Public relations and governmental communications.

Ability to:

• Lead a diverse municipal organization effectively and professionally.
• Establish priorities and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Analyze complex issues and develop practical recommendations.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with elected officials, employees, residents, businesses, and the public.
• Prepare and deliver professional reports and presentations.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion.
• Develop positive relationships while appropriately managing competing interests.
• Motivate, evaluate, and hold employees accountable.
• Manage public resources responsibly.
• Work collaboratively with elected officials while maintaining appropriate administrative independence.
• Handle confidential, sensitive, and controversial matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Respond effectively in high-pressure situations.
• Demonstrate strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS   

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, political science, finance, management, urban planning, or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal government, public administration, or a related public-sector management environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory and management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with municipal budgeting, personnel administration, policy implementation, and organizational management.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license or ability to obtain one within a reasonable period of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, public policy, urban planning, or a related field.
• Experience as a Village Administrator, City Manager, Assistant Village Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Department Director, or comparable municipal executive.
• Experience working directly with an elected municipal governing body.
• Experience in an Illinois municipality.
• Experience with capital improvement planning, economic development, intergovernmental relations, and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of Illinois municipal statutes, regulations, and local-government practices.

COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Leadership – Provides clear direction, builds trust, develops staff, and establishes organizational accountability.

Strategic Thinking – Anticipates future challenges and opportunities and develops practical long-term solutions.

Financial Stewardship – Understands public finance and makes responsible recommendations regarding the use of taxpayer resources.

Political Acumen – Understands the role of elected officials and maintains effective, professional relationships with the Village Board.

Communication – Communicates complex information clearly and appropriately to elected officials, employees, residents, and the public.

Collaboration – Builds productive relationships across departments, agencies, organizations, and the community.

Integrity and Ethics – Demonstrates honesty, transparency, fairness, confidentiality, and accountability.

Customer Service – Promotes a culture focused on responsive and professional service to residents and businesses.

Problem Solving – Evaluates complex issues objectively and develops thoughtful, practical solutions.

Adaptability – Responds effectively to changing priorities, emerging issues, and community needs.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in a municipal office environment but requires regular attendance at evening meetings, community events and meetings with residents, businesses, contractors, consultants, and governmental agencies.

The position may require occasional work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during emergencies or other significant municipal events.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical requirements described herein are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

The position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, communicate effectively, operate standard office equipment, attend meetings, and occasionally visit municipal facilities, construction sites, parks, public works locations, and other Village properties.

DISCLAIMER
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an individual assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, or working conditions associated with the position. The Village reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities as organizational needs change.

The Village of Bourbonnais is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Village of Bourbonnais
Department: Administration
Reports To: Village President and Board of Trustees
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time
Salary Range: $150,000-$200,000