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Apply to ICMA Local Government Management Fellowship 2024

ICMA, in partnership with the League of Women in Government, the Local Government Hispanic Network, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration welcomes applicants for the ICMA Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF).

The LGMF is a highly competitive career-development opportunity that places full-time local government management-track positions shaped by rotational assignments and direct mentoring under senior government leaders. Fellows assume real responsibility, thrive in an environment that recognizes potential, and gain unique exposure to local government. Fellowships are available in local governments nationwide.


Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible to participate in the Local Government Management Fellowship, applicants must:

  • Be a recent graduate or student enrolled in a public administration, public policy, or related field master's degree program
  • Satisfy all of the requirements for their degree program by August 31, 2024, the year of the fellowship.
  • Have no formal local government management work experience
  • Be eligible to work in the United States
  • Complete the LGMF application by the closing date

 

Salaries & Benefits Packages:
Salaries and benefits packages for fellows vary based on a number of factors and are determined by the host city. Both will be discussed with fellows at the end of the interview process, if they are to be offered a position with the host city.


ICMA Benefits:
Those individuals placed in an LGMF host community receive:



  • Complimentary ICMA Membership for two years
  • Complimentary registration to ICMA Annual Conference
  • Complimentary registration to an ICMA Reimagined Conference
  • Complimentary access to ICMA's Applied Knowledge Assessment
  • Complimentary subscription to PM Magazine


    Some sample projects and programs Fellows have managed include:



  • Complete a study for the Emergency Management Department resulting in departmental reorganization; recommendations approved by the Board of Commissioners
  • Lead a group of county employees in implementing a reverse 911 system and secure 55 percent funding from outside sources
  • Analyze best practices for and develop a Customer Relations Management System and protocols for responding to citizen requests/complaints
  • Develop City/County Code of Ethics
  • Design an asset management system for the Parks and Recreation Department
  • Help the city develop citizen-centered performance measures
  • Work with the Community Development Agency to coordinate efforts in building affordable housing
  • Work with county initiative Criminal Justice Information Integration Network to help improve police agency practices through technology
  • Coordinate the Department of Defense's new Smart Card initiative and its implementation to emergency responders
  • Research models and recommend key policy considerations and restructuring actions for the Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Division
  • Draft an annual update to the city's Economic Development Strategy, reporting on the accomplishments of all the departments' programs related to the strategy
  • Develop and implement a Citizens' Academy
  • Develop a firefighter recruitment strategy to diversify the applicant pool; assist in recruitment through partnership with the NAACP
  • Create and manage the hiring process for 911 dispatchers
  • Work with employee relations in researching the possibility for use of flex leave as an incentive during the hiring process
  • Research and recommend best financial practices for medical and dental self-insurance by local governments
  • Provide research for human resources classification and compensation study
  • Investigate the leasing possibilities for a parcel of city-owned land near the airport
  • Conduct assessment of housing needs of seniors and people with disabilities
  • Provide logistical support for new Minority, Women's and Small Business Enterprises Program
  • Help to design a county mentoring program
  • Organize a sale of surplus appliances from a purchased property
  • Create a central monitoring and reporting system to track donated grants and funds given for community event
  • Create a new EMS employee recruitment and retention program using Design Thinking approach 


 Candidates will be selected on the basis of their academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to public service, communication skills, initiative, creativity, and positive attitude.


Application
Step 1: Job Application including demographic information, education, work experience, resume, professional references.
Step 2: Complete the personal statement and management case study. The case study question is available in the application. Do not 'make up' your own case study.
Step 3 Confirm Application and Certify and Submit

Supplemental:
Unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts (uploaded directly to the application);
Three (3) letters of recommendation: two (2) from professors/program directors, and one professional recommendation.
For letters of recommendation, the application will ask you to input the email address of those you are requesting letters from. They will then receive an email to upload the letter directly into the application. IMPORTANT NOTE: The individuals you have chosen to write your letters will not receive an email until you submit the application. Please encourage the individuals submitting your letters to have their letters ready so that when you submit the application, they can upload the letter right away. We highly suggest submitting the application before the due date so that letters can be submitted by the due date.
As the application is web-based, it is strongly recommended that you prepare your essay and case study outside the LGMF application and save your work frequently. When you have completed your essay questions, copy/paste them into the application tool as non-formatted text. Keep your formatting simple, as it will not carry over to this application or may add strange characters.

ATTACHMENTS
Case Study: You may attach one (1) page with graphs, tables or charts to accompany your case study if you wish; reference this and clearly identify your document and be sure your name is also on the attachment.

Resume: You may attach a resume, and will have the option in the first part of the application.

SELECTION PROCESS
The LGMF Advisory Board will review all applications submitted by the deadline. ICMA will notify all applicants if they have been selected as a finalist once the Advisory Board submits results. Applications will be scored on resume/applicant experience, letters of recommendation, transcripts, personal statement, and management case study.

Seventy percent (70%) of the total score is based on the personal essay and case study; your demonstrated passion and subject knowledge.

Finalists' applications will be routed directly to host local governments for review. Local governments will contact finalists directly to schedule interviews. If you are contacted by a local government, it is strongly recommended that you prepare for the interview as you would for any other employment opportunity.

Direct any questions to:
lgmfprogram@icma.org; or visit the LGMF Web page for Frequently Asked Questions at http://icma.org/lgmf. Good luck!

ICMA