City of Peosta, Iowa

City Administrator

Apply by March 13, 2026

Announcement/Advertisement

The City of Peosta, Iowa (2,195) seeks a visionary leader with outstanding communication, relationship building, planning, and management skills for its next City Administrator. Peosta is one of the fastest growing cities in Iowa with a strong and vibrant Industrial Park employing over 2,000 jobs. Peosta provides a small town feel with larger city amenities. Peosta offers two great elementary schools in Peosta Elementary and Seton Catholic schools and is part of the Western Dubuque School District which has Western Dubuque High School that has a 98% graduation rate. Peosta is also home to Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). Located just 10 miles from Dubuque, Iowa, and only about one hour from Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, and one hour from Madison, Wisconsin – Peosta is in a great location. Recent years have seen a boom for new housing and apartments/condos, contributing to population growth. Peosta is poised to continue to grow in both population and businesses. Residents have everything they need without leaving the city – a grocery store, hardware store, several convenience stores, medical facilities, restaurants and bars, and financial institutions. The City Administrator will play a key role in the continued growth of Peosta and must be highly collaborative, visible and a good relationship builder. The City offers a highly competitive benefits package and a starting salary between $100k-$120k. City residency is a requirement. Relocation package is negotiable.

To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and three reference letters by 5:00 pm central time to gary@mcandrewsearch.com. Inquiries can be directed Gary McAndrew of the McAndrew Search Group LLC at 563-590-1979.

Timetable for Search

Interested candidates can contact McAndrew Search Group for specific questions. The timeframe to apply is as follows:

Application deadline - March 13, 2026 – 5:00 pm central time

Semifinalists notified - week of March 16, 2026

Zoom interviews – week of March 23, 2026

Finalist interviews – week of March 30, 2026

Start of employment – 15-30 days after approval

CITY OF PEOSTA, IOWA

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Identification

Position Title: CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Department: ADMINISTRATION

Immediate Supervisor: CITY COUNCIL

Classification: FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

Job Summary

Implement City policy as directed by ordinance and the City Council. Work closely with all City departments on developing an annual budget. Make recommendations to the Council on planning and budgeting. Approve and make recommendations on expenditures. Supervise city employees and evaluate employees on an annual basis. Supervise the preparation, maintenance, review and control of fiscal records.

The employee is deemed by the City Council to be a critical employee to the City of Peosta; a critical employee is one that is responsible for the safety and welfare of the Peosta Public, therefore that employee must obtain residency within the City limits of Peosta within a time frame to be determined by the City Council.

Job Scope

Directly responsible to the City Council for the administration on municipal affairs. All heads of City departments shall report and be responsible to the City Administrator. The City Administrator shall have the scope of power to investigate all City departments. All departmental activity requiring the attention of the City Council shall be brought before that body by the City Administrator. All City Council policy concerning administration shall be coordinated through the City Administrator’s office. Oversight of city property, management of capital improvement projects and keeping the five-member city council and mayor fully advised of the city’s financial condition and overall future needs.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Refer to ordinances creating the position of City Administrator and this job description. The City Administrator assumes the duties and responsibilities of Personnel Officer.

The duties of the job would focus on the following areas:

• Implements the policy adopted by the majority of the City Council.

• Supervise day-to-day activities of City offices and implement City policy as directed by ordinance and the Council.

• Supervise and direct all City departments and overall administration of the City.

• Evaluate City employees on an annual basis. Oversees maintenance of employee files; prepare and administer special employment programs.

• Make decisions regarding the hiring and firing of all personnel under his/her oversight, subject to Council approval.

• Work closely with all City departments and department heads in developing an annual budget.

• Prepares, reviews and/or approves all city financial reports required by city or state code.

• Approve and make recommendations on expenditures, planning and budgeting. Supervise the preparation and maintenance of fiscal records and their review and control.

• Formulate short and long-term goals, strategies and plans for presentation to Council.

• Administers the financing of the five-year capital improvement plan in conjunction with the City’s independent financial advisor, bond counsel and the City Council.

• Attend City Council meetings; report on City activities; coordinate with Mayor; attend and report to Council the activities of various City boards, commissions and committees.

• Review agenda and packet information for City Council and city board and commission meetings.

• Review ordinances and resolution for the Council  Represent the City at various meetings and conferences.

• Research methods of improving municipal operations including development of new or innovative programs.

• Supervises community and economic development programs approved by the City Council including ECIA and other consultants that are hired by the City Council.

• Interacts with citizens, candidates, management, and staff on a variety of complex and sensitive issues. Respond to inquiries, concerns and complaints voiced through citizens and elected officials; refer to appropriate departments and assure follow through.

• Assist in the preparation of special studies or projects such as: Revisions of city code and zoning ordinance; preparation of capital improvement plans; preparation of employee personnel policies and procedures; and job descriptions.

• Complete or supervise the completion of various state and federal reports and forms.

• Supervise the management, construction, improvement, repair and maintenance of all City property, including the making and preservation of all surveys, maps, plans, drawings, specifications and estimates.

• Review City contracts annually.

• Review all employee time sheets as well as approve any overtime.

• Annually review the operation of all departments to assure that all federal and state guidelines are being met.

• Provide public records to and work with all potential developers in housing and economic development.

• Implements and oversees internal control policies and procedures.

• Oversees building permits.

• Zoning Administrator  Safety Coordinator  Maintains city website.

• Regularly attends training pursuant to city administrator duties and responsibilities; makes recommendations to City Council and/or staff.

• Time permitting, assist Mayor in any of his/her duties as requested and as approved by Council.

• Performs significant computer work, copiers, and general office equipment.  Other such duties assigned by the Council.

Minimum Education, Experience and Certification

Requires a four-year college degree in public or business administration, or a related field, and five or more years of experience in a public sector management position. Residency requirement is in effect.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of principles and methods of public administration; knowledge of the organization, function, and problems of municipal government; knowledge of management techniques providing administrative leadership, supervision, and direction to a professional staff; knowledge of municipal cash and accrual accounting, taxing, municipal revenues and expenditures, and municipal budgetary planning and management; knowledge of Iowa law and its implications in municipal operations and actions.

Skills in negotiating service contacts, agreements, and leases; skills in setting priorities and acting directly in emergency situations; skills in problem solving, group actions, and management techniques; skills in working with the public.

SALARY: DOQ with excellent benefits package, established by the City Council.

HIRING: Approval of the City Council.

City of Peosta

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