Many Vermont small
towns, cities, and villages employ managers or administrators.
Currently there are 71 Vermont Town & City Managers’ Association
members from different municipalities. Small communities with their
scarce resources have difficulty recruiting experienced municipal
managers. An internship program would provide an opportunity for
prospective managers to gain direct experience with an experienced
management team before accepting a manager or administrator position.
Graduate school students
or recent graduates from public administration or public policy
(policy analysis) programs are eligible. Candidates must have an
interest in a municipal government career. Vermont residents and
students from Vermont colleges are given preference, but students
from across the country are welcome to inquire.
Previously, the Barre Town Management Internship was a one-year program. Starting September 2007, the Internship will be a two-year job position. This two-year full-time position offers graduate students a more indepth experience, and will look strong on a resume.
Management interns
work under the direction of the Town Manager but will assist all
Town departments, divisions, boards, and commissions with management
tasks and projects. The intern:
1.
Attends all Selectboard meetings.
2.
Attends at least two other Town board, commission, committee
meetings every month. During the twelve-month term, the intern
will attend at least two meetings of the following boards or commissions:
Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Recreation Board,
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, Cemetery Commission, and Housing
Advisory Committee.
3.
Attends bi-weekly department head meetings; weekly DPW/construction
meetings; and other staff meetings as assigned by the Town Manager.
4.
Keeps regular Municipal Building office hours while attending
nighttime meetings.
5. Assists
the Town Manager with Selectboard meeting agendas and meeting
packet preparation.
6.
Is assigned to complete some basic administrative duties.
7. Assists
with budgeting; preparing the Town Report; writing newsletter
articles; negotiating labor contracts; purchasing; and special
projects.
8. Attends
meetings, as necessary, of other public agencies such as the School
Board, Regional Planning Commission, District Environmental Commission,
and Regional Revolving Loan Fund.
9. Provides
research, analytical, and writing assistance on management issues
for all Town departments, divisions, boards, and commissions.
Examples of assignments would be researching and drafting ordinances
and policies; preparing training programs; researching and explaining
government regulations; and offering programs for compliance.
In summary, the intern
works with the management team and gains experience in purchasing,
contracting, meeting preparation and follow-up, and hiring. The
intern will gain background knowledge in highway, police, fire,
emergency medical, water, sewer, parks, recreation, cemetery,
planning, zoning, assessing, town clerk duties, emergency management,
public relations, governing board/staff relations, intergovernmental
relations, grant writing and administration, and municipal equipment.
Cost
The intern is paid
an annualized salary of $28,400 (to be adjusted for cost-of-living
in the future).
The intern is offered
all benefits afforded to permanent, fulltime, non-union employees
– except retirement. Likewise, the intern is subject to disciplinary
action including suspension and termination.
The Town pays for
and the intern is required to attend:
n the Spring and Fall Vermont Managers' Association conferences;