2025 Local Government Management Fellowship Host Application

The Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF) is a career-development opportunity that places fellows in full-time local government management-track positions shaped by direct mentorship under senior government leaders and rotational assignments. Talented professionals with a master's degree in public administration, management, public policy, public affairs, or related area, are given the opportunity to assume real responsibility, thrive in an environment that recognizes potential, and gain unique exposure to local government. Mentorship is a key element to the program and can be more critical than the job description or work plan. It’s about how the Host Community connects, supports, and engages them with the work in a development capacity. Fellows are an investment in the future of the profession and the continuity of keeping our communities’ great places to live, work, and play. Please review the host commitments below. 

HOST COMMITMENTS 

Section 1: Salary & Professional Development

Fellow Salary & Benefits

• Host Community will offer a competitive salary for the duration of the fellowship, comparable to that of a full-time employee. Salaries will be determined based on current and future market conditions, taking into account the cost of living in various regions. For instance, the starting salary for Presidential Management Fellows is $42- $56,000 based on cost of living (the GS9 entry-level PMF rate). Most positions come with benefits, though some local governments may provide subsidies for fellows to purchase their own benefits.
• Host Community are encouraged to offer relocation assistance, which may include covering expenses, providing housing options, and/or offering a transportation stipend or reimbursement. Hosts have a greater chance of securing their preferred candidate when understanding the benefits package that appeals to the finalist.
• Host Community will commit to employing the Fellow for one to two years as an ICMA-recognized Fellow, with the aim of either hiring them full-time or assisting them in securing full-time employment after the fellowship.

* Understand that ICMA encourages two or more jurisdictions to share a Fellow to meet the salary requirement if full funding is not available.

Professional Development & Learning 

• Host Community will prepare and submit a work plan (job/rotation description) to ICMA by the time candidate interviews begin. This plan should aim to provide an enriching professional learning experience for the Fellow.
• Host Community will cover travel and expenses for the Fellow to attend the ICMA Annual Conference, with ICMA waiving the registration fee for up to two conferences. Fellows should arrive early to participate in an all-day LGMF orientation held one day before the conference begins.
• Host Community will allow time for the Fellow to participate in scheduled program conference calls and learning activities (approximately one every 4 weeks).
• Host Community are encouraged to provide the fellow with membership in their state association and cover travel and expenses for the fellow to attend the NFBPA Annual Conference, the Local Government Hispanic Network Annual Conference, and/or a state association conference. For a full list of ICMA partner organizations, please visit the State Leadership & Liaison Directory. 

Section 2: Commitment to Mentorship 

Mentorship 

• Host Community will assign a mentor to the Fellow, who will serve as their primary point of contact and coach throughout the fellowship. This mentor could be a top-notch analyst, a department head, a deputy or assistant manager, or the chief administrator. The goal is to prepare the Fellow for leadership in any career path, even if it extends beyond local government.
• Host Community will encourage external mentorship through the CoachConnect platform or other coaching resources.

Section 3: Recruitment Process

• Host Community will receive login information to review finalist applications in February and is expected to make an offer by May. Host communities can also run concurrent local application processes.
• Host Community will adhere to the organizational hiring guidelines and conduct interviews with transparency and fairness. Whenever possible, the manager should be included in the interviews, as their presence can positively influence candidates.
• Host Community will give finalists two weeks to decide on an offer, ensuring they have ample time to make a thoughtful decision without feeling pressured. If any issues arise, the host community will promptly inform ICMA. Additionally, hosts agree not to knowingly hire a Fellow through the LGMF Program who has already been placed in another LGMF-participant community.
• Host Community must contact ICMA immediately once a Fellow has been selected.