ZEELAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP MANAGER SEARCH
“Zeeland Charter Township welcomes your interest in serving our community as our first Township Manager. Our community is blessed with a rich agricultural history, our proximity to pristine sandy beaches and the allure of the bright lights of Grand Rapids.”
Tom Oonk, Supervisor
Zeeland Charter Township
ZEELAND TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN
§ POPULATION 12,112
§ 2024 GENERAL FUND BUDGET $4,644,400
§ 2024 FUND BALANCE $15,212,769
§ TAXABLE VALUE $563,283,786
§ SALARY RANGE
$90,000 - $120,000
WELCOME TO ZEELAND TOWNSHIP
“The Home of the Dux and Chix!”
Located in beautiful Ottawa County, one of Michigan’s premier counties, Zeeland Charter Township (population 12,112) is seeking candidates to serve as their inaugural, full-time Township Manager. The Township Manager will inherit an opportunity to lead a community with a talented staff, supportive Township Board and a Township that is committed to their small -town charm.
Zeeland Township’s reputation in West Michigan, and throughout the state, is for unparalleled schools, strong finances, quality neighborhoods, a deep commitment to agriculture and a community that people are flocking to. Zeeland Township offers that perfec t blend of prosperous farms, small-town Americana and the bright lights of Grand Rapids looming in the near distance. Zeeland Township is just 15 minutes from Grand Rapids which offers professional sports, outstanding health care, thriving nightlife and several colleges and universities. Just to the west of Zeeland Township are the alluring shoreline of Lake Michigan and the City of Holland. The area is a mecca for attracting tourists from across the globe during the annual Tulip Time Festival. The Holland/Zeeland community is known for some of the best beaches in Michigan and the Midwest. Our community is very proud of our relationship with Gentex. The company has a significant investment in Zeeland Township and is one of Ottawa County’s largest employers
Recreational opportunities are plentiful in Zeeland Township with the Drenthe Community Grove and VanZoeren Woods. The region offers several trails throughout the community including the Upper Macatawa Natural Area.
Our Township Manager will certainly appreciate our commitment to nature, farmland and very low crime. In many ways, Zeeland Township offers everything within 15 minutes. Most importantly, after a day filled with activities, our residents return to their “special place in Ottawa County.”
CHOOSE ZEELAND TOWNSHIP
While there are hundreds of Michigan communities to serve as the top appointed official, here are the top reasons to choose Zeeland Township!
Drenthe Community Grove! is bustling and offers something for everyone. The Grove offers beach volleyball, tennis courts, three pickleball courts, basketball courts, fishing pond and a .7 mile paved walkway. One of the best picnic areas in Ottawa County!
Our proximity to Lake Michigan beaches. Zeeland Township is just 10 minutes from some of the world’s best beaches in Holland. The alluring shoreline of Lake Michigan is a perfect way to spend a summer day.
The Zeeland Public Schools. Our schools are readily supported by our residents and it truly means something in Zeeland to be called a Dux or Chix. Our academics and athletics make our entire community proud. There is plenty of Zeeland pride display in our community.
Our events. The greater region offers some of Michigan’s best attractions including the West Michigan Whitecaps and Grand Rapids Griffins, Art Prize, Tulip Time, John Ball Park Zoo, the Zeeland Charter Township Community Day and plenty of museums.
Our Proximity to Grand Rapids. You can almost see the bright lights of Grand Rapids from Zeeland Township. Our residents are blessed with small town living and world-class facilities at our doorstep. Grand Rapids offers outstanding medical care, arts & culture and professional sports.
The Upper Macatawa Natural Area. Featuring over 610 acres, the Upper Macatawa Natural Area is adjacent to the Macatawa River. This pristine area also includes both the Macatawa Greenway Trail and Fred Meijer Kenowa Trail.
Zeeland Township is known for offering our residents a safe community. Our community’s crime rate is extremely low and residents benefit from responsive police and fire services.
Our community. We are a financially stable, welcoming community. Zeeland Township is growing and is one of Ottawa County’s jewels. Our Township Manager will inherit a very rare opportunity of a talented staff, a supportive Board and strong finances .
Our commitment to farmland preservation. Zeeland Township is proud of who we are. The community isn’t striving for change. Farmland preservation is uniquely important to our 12,000 residents.
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
Zeeland Charter Township highly anticipates the selection and arrival of their first, fulltime Township Manager. The Township Board and stakeholders look forward to success with the opportunities and challenges awaiting our leader.
Here is a snapshot of the opportunities and challenges awaiting our next Township Manager:
• Work with the entire team to calmly integrate yourself into the new position. Build trust with our staff. Show us that you care, before you show us what you know.
• Work with community leaders throughout the region to sustain a strong economic base. Zeeland Township is located in a strategic position to attract businesses and quality jobs.
• Ottawa County is one of the fastest growing counties in Michigan. Zeeland Township is attracting attention from all over the region as a highly desirable community. Our new Township Manager will need to help balance the desire for additional residential growth with our commitment to farmland preservation.
• As Zeeland Township grows, we must develop a long-range plan for infrastructure improvements. Effective planning and zoning will aid the township in their plans to manage growth.
• Zeeland Township places a high value in regional cooperation. Our Township Manager will be tasked with enhancing our relationship with adjacent communities and the Zeeland Public Schools.
• Work with the community stakeholders to place an emphasis on the recently created Vision 2025 Strategic Plan.
THE RIGHT FIT
“The Zeeland Township Board recognizes the importance of education and experience. However, Zeeland Township leaders are most interested in finding the right fit to lead our community.”
The ideal candidate will bring the following personal characteristics:
• Above all, bring a proven history of unparalleled leadership both internal to the organization and external within the community. Our Township Manager shall exhibit outstanding leadership and teambuilding in all facets of our operation.
• Be an excellent planner and someone who can look ahead and prepare the Township for future needs, growth and challenges. It’s important that our new leader understands the complexity of solid planning and zoning enforcement.
• Always attempt to de-escalate conflicts. Bring a proven collaborative mindset and foster excellent professional relationships with the staff, Township Board and regional partners .
• Understand the appreciation of the rural character of Zeeland Township . Although we benefit from our proximity to Grand Rapids and Holland, we strive to maintain our ability to offer small-town Americana
• Create a fun work environment. Be able to laugh at yourself. Don’t take things too seriously
• Bring an understanding of municipal finances. Our community demands financial integrity. Be able to say no when the financial model doesn’t work for Zeeland Township.
• At all times, serve Zeeland Township with the highest degree of ethics and integrity.
• Bring a humble mindset that is respectful to the entire Zeeland Team. Listen and learn about our community
• Be able to display your record on providing excellent customer service. Our community appreciates kindness. Our Township Manager must blend well with the community.
• Be involved in the community. Be visible. Serve the community as a problem solver.
THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S ROLE
Under the direction of the Township Board, the Township Manager serves as the administrative officer of the Township by managing the activities of all functions except for those of the Clerk and Treasurer. The Township Manager keeps the Board informed regarding Township matters and carries out the policies established by the Board. The Township Manager serves at the pleasure of the Township Board.
The main roles and responsibilities of the Township Manager include Leadership, Management, Community and Governmental Relations, Financial Oversight and Communication.
The Township Board prefers candidates with:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or equivalent experience
• Minimum two years of management experience
• Experience in local government operations including planning, budgeting and financial management
• Knowledge of government’s role in Economic Development
• Appreciation for the history and character of Zeeland Charter Township
• Grant writing and grant oversight
• Proven experience as a collaborative, consensus builder
APPLICATION PROCESS
DEADLINE TO APPLY: FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024
To join the Zeeland Charter Township team, please submit a cover letter, resume and five professional references to Frank L. Walsh, Walsh Municipal Services, LLC. Applications will be received at walshmuni@gmail.com. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are requesting confidentiality as allowed under the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
Zeeland Charter Township is a Equal Opportunity Employer.
