Borough Of Ellwood City Advertising For New Borough Manager

The Borough of Ellwood City is set to advertise for the employment of a new borough manager. Borough Council voted on January 5th to not renew the contract for Kevin Swogger.

The full job description as made available by the borough is as follows:

Position Overview:
The Borough of Ellwood City located northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and spans in both Lawrence and Beaver Counties, is seeking a professional, forward thinking, and organized Borough Manager to serve as our Chief Administrative Officer. This is a full-time exempt role, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the borough, ensuring that municipal services are delivered efficiently and that the policies established by the Borough Council are implemented effectively. This position reports to Borough Council. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader capable of managing diverse departments, from Public Works to Administration, while maintaining a transparent and fiscally responsible local government.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administrative Leadership: Oversee all borough departments and personnel; implement personnel policies and perform annual evaluations. Leads the administration of the collective bargaining agreement, including contract interpretation, grievance handling, and communication with union leadership.
• Financial Management: Prepare, present, and monitor the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Project Management: Supervise capital improvement projects, including infrastructure upgrades, park developments, and utility maintenance.
• Council Liaison: Attend all Borough Council meetings; provide professional recommendations and data-driven insights to aid in policy decisions.
• Grant Administration: Identify, apply for, and manage state and federal grants (e.g., DCED, PennDOT) to supplement local tax revenue.
• Community Relations: Act as the primary point of contact for residents, business owners, and regional partners, ensuring a high level of customer service and transparency.
• Ordinance Enforcement: Ensure that borough ordinances and state laws (The PA Borough Code) are consistently enforced.
• Utility Management: Provides strategic and operational leadership for the borough’s Wastewater and Electric departments, ensuring regulatory compliance, service reliability, and effective resource management.
• Represents Borough of Ellwood City at meetings, conferences, and public events.
• Agency Open Records Officer (AORO): Responsible for replying to requests under the PA Right-to-Know Law.

Qualifications & Skills:

• • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Political Science, or a related field (Master’s Degree strongly preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of 2–5 years of experience in local government management or a related executive role.
• Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Pennsylvania Borough Code, municipal finance/accounting, and PA labor law (including Act 111 or Act 195 where applicable).
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in municipal software, budget modeling, and modern communication tools.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional public speaking skills, conflict resolution abilities, and the emotional intelligence to navigate local politics.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $80,000 – $90,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Retirement: Pension Plan
• Hours: Daylight with some evening due to meetings

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to: Borough of Ellwood City, c/o Borough Secretary, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117 by Friday, February 27, 2026 at 4:00 P.M