Milton-Freewater, OR – City Manager

About the Position

Are you a grounded, community-engaged executive who can lead a full-service municipal organization while strengthening management practices and advancing infrastructure priorities? If so, apply to be the City of Milton-Freewater’s next City Manager! We’re looking for an exceptional, hands-on leader who is:

• Experienced in municipal management and public-sector leadership
• Financially astute with strong budgeting and utility oversight expertise
• A collaborative communicator who builds trust with staff, Council, and the community

Milton-Freewater is a welcoming, close-knit community of approximately 7,151 residents located in northeastern Oregon’s Walla Walla Valley and near the Blue Mountains along with state line of Oregon and Washington. Known for its agricultural heritage, multicultural character, and strong sense of community, Milton-Freewater offers a blend of rural charm and regional connectivity.

Milton-Freewater operates under a Council–Manager form of government. The Mayor is elected, and the City Council consists of elected members who establish policy and provide strategic direction. With approximately 65 FTEs and a budget of roughly $45–48 million, the City’s operations are complex and heavily influenced by its municipally-owned utility systems.

The ideal candidate is an experienced municipal leader who brings strong executive-level judgment, operational discipline, and a collaborative leadership style. They will have a proven ability to manage complex organizations, particularly those with utility operations, while fostering trust and accountability. They will be a hands-on leader who listens first, sets clear expectations, and follows through—balancing respect for the community’s history with a forward-looking, solutions-oriented approach.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible municipal management experience
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, organizational leadership, and public-sector operations

For candidates without a bachelor’s degree, a combination of education, training, and increasingly

responsible management experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be

considered.

Preferred:

• Experience as a City Manager, Administrator, or Assistant City Manager
• Knowledge of municipal utilities and enterprise operations
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills
• Advanced degree in public administration or related field
• Membership in ICMA, OCCMA, or a similar professional association and a demonstrated
• commitment to the ICMA Code of Ethics
• Experience in labor relations and/or working with collective bargaining agreements

Other expectations:

• Occasional travel for regional meetings and professional development (e.g., LOC, OCCMA, ICMA)
• Valid driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one by date of hire) and an acceptable driving record

The salary range for this position is $140,000–$160,000 DOE/DOQ. Residency in the city is preferred in any case, but a new Charter amendment forthcoming for consideration will require residency anywhere within the Milton-Freewater zip code.

For more information on this position, contact:

Clay J. Pearson, Senior Vice President

[email protected]

713-816-8639