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As a whole generation of baby boomers begins to retire, we in local government are searching for energetic learning-oriented younger workers and talented second- or third-career older workers. Public service is a wonderfully fulfilling career for a number of reasons:

1. Meaningful, Challenging Work

Local government service is inherently meaningful because our work is related to building and improving communities. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City and county planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and culture, and library professionals enhance community life. City, town, and county management takes the aspirations of residents and the policy goals of the elected governing board and puts those aspirations and goals into action.

Public service at the local level is also fulfilling because employees see the fruits of their labors. On a daily basis, local government employees see street and other infrastructure improvements; new buildings coming out of the ground; safety improvements; and happier, more fulfilled children, families, and senior residents.

Public service at the local level is also challenging work. The efforts of local government workers happens in the context of local government, where everyone gets to participate, and everyone has a say.

Every day presents new challenges, new problems, and lots of stimuli.

2. Financial Benefits

Local government service offers salaries that are now competitive with the private sector and benefits that are often better. Public agencies need employees with all kinds of talents, skills and occupational interests. Below are samples of positions and recent salaries offered by an average small-to-mid-sized city or county:

POSITION SALARY
Account Specialist $53,196
IT Manager $106,787
City Planner $80,811
Recreation Supervisor $101,379
Police Officer $74,534
Engineer $89,895
Fire Fighter $73,195
Building Inspector $74,727
Administrative Assistant $60,112
City, Town, or County Manager/Administrator $136,345
Sr. Water Systems Operator $78,733
Librarian $57,695


As you can see, local government offers employment in many, many disciplines.

3. Steady Demand for Services

Another reason to consider a career in local government is that the public needs, wants, and demands services. Residents typically do not ask their local government to reduce library, police, or fire services; public works; utilities; park and recreation; or other programs.

While local government may have to cut programs from time-to-time because tax or other revenues decline, the demand for services remains steady.

4. Learning Abounds

Local governments operate in a very dynamic environment. Changing resident demands, new federal and state laws and regulations, technology advances, demographic changes, new value trends, and other societal forces often make technical skills obsolete. Consequently, local governments need agile learners who are eager to pick up new ways of doing business or delivering services. Simply put, we are looking for young people and second- and third-career people who provide "learn-how" as well as "know-how" to our public organizations.

5. Plenty of Opportunities

Again, longtime baby-boomer employees (born 1946-1964) are now retiring. Local government needs a new generation of younger workers as well as those considering second or third careers. Consider local government if:

  • You want meaningful and challenging work.
  • You want to make a difference and build and improve communities.
  • You want a competitive salary and good benefits.
  • You are interested in learning.

Come join us in making a difference in your own backyard!

Breaking into local government takes tenacity and patience.  Most senior managers will tell you they started their careers with some kind of internship or fellowship (paid and/or unpaid). 

As senior managers begin to retire in greater numbers, local governments need bright and dedicated young people to make public service their career. ICMA is working to increase opportunities for the local government leaders of tomorrow.

Here are suggestions for how you can pursue your interest in local government management: 

The websites of state local government management associations often also list internship opportunities. ICMA provides a list of these organizations. If these sites do not offer specific internship listings, they may connect you to resources in other jurisdictions near you.

The Network of Schools of Public Affairs and Administrations (NASPAA) also offers information on internships on its Public Service Careers site. Lastly, your own school or university may have contacts with local governments through its career services or political science/public administration departments.

Informational Interviews

Contacting managers and assistant managers for informational interviews is a great way to build your local government network. If you're an ICMA member, you can find contact information for ICMA members in our Who's Who database.

City and county websites also offer contact information for various departments. Simply Google the local government you'd like to contact.

Local Government Management Fellowship/Internship Programs
(Alphabetized by State)

National Listings

Arizona

California

District of Columbia

Kansas

Pennsylvania

Texas

Washington

Senior Advisors 50 years

The ICMA Senior Advisor program (formerly Range Rider Program *) is a joint activity of ICMA and state sponsors established by the ICMA Executive Board in 1974 to make the counsel, experience, and support of respected, retired managers of the profession available to members. Currently 114 Senior Advisors in 30 states provide a highly valued service by volunteering their time to offer confidential professional and personal support and advice.

Senior Advisors are selected jointly by the state sponsor and the ICMA Executive Director. Although they are expected to be visible, accessible and responsive to members and association needs, Senior Advisors are unpaid volunteers who pursue other activities while in retirement and thus are not “full time.” Expenses are shared by ICMA and the sponsoring state organization. The expenses allocated depend on the size of the state, the number of Senior Advisors and funds available from the sponsors.

Senior Advisors are available to meet periodically with members in their states or areas to discuss the profession and their concerns as members. Discussion topics range from relations with elected officials, overall management questions, relations with ICMA, responses to local controversies such as referenda on the council-manager plan, to career development.

Senior Advisors are friends, colleagues, and advisors to the profession—not consultants. The Senior Advisor program is designed to help with personal and professional issues, not to provide technical assistance or solve substantive problems in a local government. However, Senior Advisors may consult with local governments as individuals, on a part-time basis, as long as the consulting does not impair the effectiveness of the Senior Advisors. Senior Advisor guidelines contain advice for Senior Advisors who do part-time consulting.

Senior Advisors may also help communities interested in creating a professional local government management position, including adoption of council-manager government.

Members with questions on the Senior Advisor program can contact Senior Advisor Program Coordinator, Pam Brangaccio at (727) 204-8095 or e-mail pbrangaccio@icma.org.

Guidelines Manual Roster

*2013-2014 Program Review

As part of a review of the program in its 40th year, the ICMA Executive Board, in February 2014, approved changing the name from Range Riders to Senior Advisors to better describe the role and its primary emphasis on providing members with advice and support.