To assist managers with their daily challenges, ICMA's
First-Time Administrator Task Force prepared this concise yet comprehensive
guide that both emerging leaders and veteran managers can benefit from this
handbook's suggestions.
At some point in your career, you’re likely to face a
decision whether to seek and/or accept a position as a chief administrator in a
local government. Perhaps you want to advance to the next step on your career
ladder—or maybe you’ve been offered a chief administrator position because the
CAO in your community resigned, or because a recruiter identified you as a
candidate for the job.
The First-Time Administrator’s
Handbook is for professionals like
you who are embarking on—or contemplating—a first position as a local
government CAO. It offers advice and perspectives on the transition, whether
you’re a recent MPA graduate, a current assistant/deputy manager or department head,
or a manager in a private-sector or nonprofit organization or the military.
This handbook also contains useful advice for managers
who serve as a community’s first appointed professional CAO, although it does
not cover some of the unique challenges of that position—such as educating the
governing body and the community about the role of an appointed administrator
or navigating the changes in responsibility and authority that may accompany
the introduction of the CAO role.
Each chapter and section is organized to help you
quickly access information. First, a high level “airplane view” gives a
quick glance at the material. Second, a “bird’s-eye view” outlines important
principles to give you an overview of the topic. Next, a “beach view” provides
a lengthier discussion. Finally, a “deep dive” section provides additional
detail and links to online resources that will help you enhance your knowledge
and advance your career.
