Kelley Zellner, currently the Fredonia City Manager, signed a contract on Dec. 3, 2021, to become the Fort Scott City Manager starting Jan. 4, 2022. He replaces interim City Manager Mark McCoy.

The contract is for $95,000

Zellner’s main duties are working with the Fort Scott City Commission and city staff, according to Brad Matkin, the human resource director for the city.

Zellner received a mini-masters of public administration, a Certified Public Administrator, from Wichita State University in Feb. 2020.

In the fall of 2021, he became a certified city clerk through the League of Municipalities.

Previously he earned a master’s of art in counseling from Friends University, Wichita, in 2001. In 1998 he received a bachelor of science degree in human resource management from Friends University.

Zellner has been the Fredonia City Administrator since 2018, the Valley Center Public Works Director from 2017-2018, and was the Conway Falls Chief of Police from 2013 to 2017.

His hometown is Howard, Kansas.

The following is the revised job description for the Fort Scott City Manager provided by Matkin:

“City of Fort Scott City Manager Job Description

SUMMARY

The City Manager oversees all administrative tasks necessary for city operations while implementing and overseeing policies set by a city’s mayor and commission. Hired by the City Commission, he/she supervises city departments, maintains the city budget, and represents the municipality in a variety of settings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Serves as Chief Administrator and Executive Officer of the City by directing the operations of all City departments through various department heads to achieve overall success in meeting the objectives and policies of the City Commission.

• Appoints department heads and staff as necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the City.

• Oversees the annual budget and submits estimates to authorized elected officials for approval.

• Implements the policies and ordinances of the City Commission.

• Research issues of importance to the city and advises the mayor and the commission on the best course of action.

• External relations – responsible for hearing the concerns and requests of the community and bringing them to the commission. Must anticipate municipality needs and create programs to address them.

• Represents the City at conferences and coordinates City activities with civic, business, and public organizations and keeps such organizations informed of City business and activities.

• Develops, implements, and maintains long-range plans, goals, objectives, and policies for the City subject to approval by the City Commission.

• Performs additional duties and tasks as needed or directed by the City Commission.

• Advises the City Commission of financial conditions and current and future City needs

• Continual contact with the governing body, the general public, and city employees is expected

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages directors who supervise the employees of the City. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Overall responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must live within Bourbon County limits or be able to relocate within 6 months. Must be skilled in the following areas: Diplomacy, Ability to Delegate, Project Management, and People Skills.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration or Management; or four to ten years related management experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree in public administration or Business Administration preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business and government reports, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must have a valid driver’s license that meets City driving history requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is an office environment with the exception of visiting employees in the field or citizens out in the community.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.”