WCMA Next Generation Web Page

Updated 1/31/09

Today's professional local government managers - also known as city managers, county administrators, and chief administrative officers, among other titles - are starting to retire at a rapid rate. Cities, counties, and special purpose districts in Washington State need talented, young local government managers to take their place and provide leadership to the state's hundreds of local governments.

Learn a bit more about the exciting and rewarding career of professional local government management
Gain a better understanding of the council/manager form of local government
Suggest whom to contact with questions
And much more!

We hope the information provided here is thorough and helpful. After spending some time looking into and researching the profession, we think you'll agree that local government management is the career for you!

What is the "Next Generation Problem"?

The "maturing of America" will have a direct and dramatic impact on the social, physical, and focal fabric of our nation and its communities. By 2030, the number or Americans over the age of 65 is projected to be 71.5 million --- or one in five people. More significantly, 44% of local government managers are 51 years old or older and will retire within the decade.

Accordingly, there is a shortage of aspiring local government managers to take their place. That is why it is an excellent time for young people to join the profession and train to become local government managers. This web page is one of many solutions that will help local governments better leverage the experience and talent of older local government officials and prepare the "Next Generation" of local government managers to continue the professional legacy.

What is professional local government management?

Visit the International City/County Management Association's pages to learn more about the duties of city managers. You may also visit ICMA's Next Generation website or visit the NW Next Gen's Facebook page.

What is the council/manager form of local government and why does it matter?

ICMA offers a nice overview on its Council/Manager Form of Government page.

What are some of the Benefits and Challenges of being a local government manager?

Benefits	Challenges
Meaningful and challenging work Ability to make a greater impact than at other levels of government Good pay and benefits Steady demand for services Learn something new every day Plenty of opportunities Live anywhere Small or large community Urban or rural community West Coast, East Coast, or anywhere in between!	Average tenure is 5-7 years Bosses (yes there are usually more than one!) can change at any election Hundreds or thousands of employees Thousands or ten thousands of stakeholders second-guess your decisions Evening and weekend meetings, although work/life balance is becoming an increasingly important topic in the public sector

How do I learn more about a local government management career and whether it is right for me?

Visit NW Next Gen’s Facebook page

Visit ICMA's Next Generation website.

Watch for internships on the Association of Washington Cities job board

If you want to read more about the field, a series of career advice columns by Dr. Frank Benest for the International City/County Management Association are linked below.

Which universities in the Northwest offer the Master of Public Administration degree?

Eastern Washington University
http://www.ewu.edu/x26225.xml
Contact: Larry Lutton, llutton@ewu.edu

Evergreen State College
http://www.evergreen.edu/mpa/
Contact: Cheryl Simrell King (360) 867-5541; kingcs@evergreen.edu

Seattle University
http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/ips/
Contact: Kasa A. Tupua Pierson, tupuak@seattle.edu

University of Washington, Evans School of Public Affairs
http://www.evans.washington.edu/
Contact: Student Services Office (206) 543-4900; evansuw@u.washington.edu

Washington State University
http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/pa/mpa/mpa.htm
Contact: Carolyn Long (360) 546-9640; long@vancouver.wsu.edu

University of Oregon
http://www.pppm.uoregon.edu/index.cfm?mode=grad&page=mpa
Contact: Zudegi Giordano (541) 346-3635; zudegi@uoregon.edu

Portland State University
http://www.hatfieldschool.pdx.edu/index.html
Contact: Betty Lewis (503) 725-5156; lewisbe@pdx.edu

Oregon State University
http://www.oregonstate.edu/cla/mpp
Contact: Brent Steel (541) 737-2811; mpp@oregonstate.edu

Boise State University
http://ppa.boisestate.edu
Contact: Dr. Stephanie Witt (208) 426-3667; switt@boisestate.edu

University of Idaho
http://www.class.uidaho.edu/pols/
Contact: Donald Crowley (208) 885-6328; melanier@uidaho.edu

With whom can I sit down and talk about a local government management career?

The Mentoring Program is a great way to find a manager interested in sitting down with you and talking about the profession. Also, seasoned city managers known as "Range Riders" are available to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. A list of Range Riders nearby is provided below.

Range Riders

NAME	CITY	PHONE NUMBER	E-MAIL ADDRESS
Roger Crum	Spokane	(509) 363 - 0034	rdcrum@comcast.net
Al Locke	Allyn	(360) 427-4271	Jeanynal@earthlink.com
Stan McNutt	St. Maries, ID	(208) 245-5043	rangerider@smgazette.com
Ron Bartels	Lacey	(360) 438-5216	rangeriderwest@comcast.net
Bob Jean	University Place	(253) 566-2654	bjeaninup@gmail.com
Anne Pflug	Ellensburg	(509) 925-2608	AnnePflug@gmail.com

Where do I go to find local government management internships and job openings in Washington?

Internships often are harder to find than a regular job, so you’ll have to do some detective work. University-level political science and MPA programs often have internship placement staff, so that’s a good place to start. Some of the people listed above might have ideas, too.

For those who have a little experience and are looking for an entry-level local government management job such as management analyst, budget analyst, assistant to the city manager, etc, the Association of Washington Cities’ JobNet is a great resource. Another great resource is the ICMA Newsletter, mailed twice a month to ICMA members. See below for how to join ICMA.

Another great opportunity to gain government management experience is the ICMA Local Government Management Fellows program. Selected Fellows are placed in a full-time management-track local government positions, shaped by direct mentorship under senior government leaders and rotational assignments. For more information, click the link below.

ICMA Local Government Management Fellows Program

How do I join ICMA and WCMA?

To join ICMA, visit the ICMA membership page. To join WCMA, go to the WCMA membership page.

How can I network with other aspiring local government managers in Washington?

To attend the next meeting of the "Next Generation" group please contact:

Bob Larson

City of Snoqualmie
38624 SE River Street
Snoqualmie, Washington 98065
425-888-1555 - work
blarson@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us

This site is maintained by Municipal Research and Services Center.
Please direct questions or comments about this site to Donita Knutson.