Lake Manager, Lake Thunderbird Association

Lake Thunderbird Association

JOB POSTING: Lake Manager

About Us:

The Lake Thunderbird Association (LTA) is a 1900+ lot Lake Community Homeowners Association located in Putnam/Bureau counties in North Central Illinois. The LTA is governed by a membership-elected Board of Directors (BoD) that provides guidance and policy for the successful operation, maintenance, and preservation of the association.

Our beautiful community is home to a 112-acre spring fed lake for boating, swimming, fishing, and family enjoyment. The surrounding grounds are a nature lovers delight and have outstanding common areas, nature paths, private beach, mini golf, playgrounds, tennis courts, pickleball, disc golf, swimming pool, campgrounds, and clubhouse for all our members.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Lake Thunderbird Association (LTA) Lake Manager (LM) implements and enforces policies established by the Board of Directors (BoD) as indicated by our covenants and by-laws, rules and regulations, maintenance of community assets, financial management and general administrative responsibilities. This position calls for a strategic thinker that ensures long term visions are met. The LM is knowledgeable of LTA Rules and Regulations and with federal, state, and local laws and regulations associated with dams, lakes and recreational properties as well as being familiar with the Common Interest Community Association Act (CICAA). A successful LM will utilize leadership skills and superior customer service focus to build and motivate the staff to consistently deliver professional and friendly services to our membership. The LM is a salaried employee required to work a 40-hour week which is performed by sitting, standing, and walking, but shall be responsible for maintaining the LTA on an as needed basis especially in times of emergency or unusual circumstances.

The Lake Manager (LM) must possess a valid Community Association Manager license in Illinois or be obtained within 60 days. The position requires strong management, organization, and people skills. Residing in Lake Thunderbird is strongly encouraged.

Job Details:

Homeowners Association (HOA) Management

The Lake Manager (LM):

• The Lake Manager (LM) makes decisions, in a timely manner, regarding members or the general public’s concerns and resolves the day-to-day issues that arise. Advises the Board of Directors (BoD) of any complaints that cannot be handled.
• Reviews the business records and reports, with assistance of the Office Manager (accounting, billings and collections, banking, accounts payable, financial statements, payroll, tax returns, etc.) and ensures that they are accounted for, processed, current and properly retained.
• Supports the Treasurer and Office Manager in matters of collecting debts and dues and determines those members not in good standing.
• Prepares Annual Budget with Office Manager assistance for BoD in the time frame outlined.
• Ensures that the Annual Membership Notice, Agenda, Budget, and Election Ballots are mailed to the membership at least 30 days before the Annual Meeting is held. The LM and Office Manager are both responsible for preparing the Annual Membership Mailing.
• Needs to be an analytical thinker who can see trends, utilizes the reserve study, comes to meetings with suggestions and prepares a monthly report to the BoD in the timeframe outlined required prior to the Board meeting.
• Attends monthly LTA Board Meetings.
• Requests and schedules all LTA contracts, registrations, and licensing renewals in a timely manner with BoD input.
• Procures necessary licenses, government approvals, etc. for community events and on-going LTA projects.
• Serves as LTA liaison along with the Board President to the LTA Attorneys.
• Evaluates risk management, reserve studies and insurance programs.
• Investigates funding opportunities available to LTA to assist in anticipated capital expenditures and ongoing maintenance.
• Prepares report of all invoices/bills to be presented at the monthly BoD meeting for approval for expenditures that are necessary for the operation of LTA.
• Verifies that emergency systems are tested and properly functioning. Reviews and maintains an Annual Emergency Notification Plan.
• Maintains strong working relationships with government offices, enforcement agencies and local businesses.
• Writes monthly articles for the Chairtree
• Helps to coordinate and attend, if required by the BoD, events associated with the community.

Lake Management:

• Obtains and reports biological data (including fisheries population survey) to determine the environmental effects of present use and potential uses of the lake and fisheries.
• Reports environmental data reported to the BoD.
• Monitors the results and ensures that the water system and lake waters are correctly tested and that the results are documented properly. Ensures that members are notified promptly if a public health emergency exists.
• Maintains awareness of federal, state, regulatory agencies, and local laws that impact lake management.
• Provides leadership that will preserve the environmental integrity of the area by adhering to sound conservation practices, trends and regulations.
• Keeps apprised of current trends and technologies in lake management.
• Serves as LTA Liaison to the Illinois Association of Lake Communities (IALC), the Illinois Lake Management Association (ILMA) or other organizations.

Maintenance/Common Areas Responsibilities:

• Implements “action plans” for maintaining, improving, and safeguarding all LTA assets in a timely successful completion.
• Takes immediate corrective action if a severe problem or unsafe condition is discovered. When regulatory, liability, safety, public health, or other serious problems are detected the LM notifies the BoD and reports the problem/unsafe condition and reports the corrective action(s) taken.
• Plans for the development and improvement of the community common grounds. In addition, the LM physically observes that all common areas are clean, safe, secure, and functioning properly. Ensures that scheduled maintenance and service is performed on common areas and equipment.
• Assures that work performed by contractors is properly insured before work begins and that all work is properly performed, according to contract terms, before final payment is made.
• Maintains a list of all LTA capital equipment, including depreciation and replacement schedules utilizing the reserve study.
• Inspects all on-going and completed maintenance projects.
• Meets and reviews list of projects and duties with the maintenance staff.

Leadership:

The ideal Lake Manager is a consistent and responsive leader. The ideal candidate does not ignore questions or settle for underperformance. Our Lake Manager must be a partner to the team. You model positive energy and react calmly and empathically when dealing with difficult situations. You show a willingness to listen.

Leadership duties include:

• Makes hiring and salary recommendations to the BoD.
• Presents the Board President with yearly performance reviews and salary recommendations before the Wage Commission review.
• Ensures, when on-boarding employees each employee reads, understands, and signs all applicable employment documents.
• Keeps employee personnel files current with all required information.
• Evaluates the performance of all employees annually in writing and makes these reports a permanent part of each employee’s work record.
• Communicates and develops high potential/high performing employees on the team as part of succession planning.
• Has a documented plan for under-performance with documented examples of discussions with employees.
• Maintains and updates all employee documents and presents to BoD changes as necessary (such as handbook, performance documents, required training etc).
• Advises the BoD of disciplinary action or termination of employees not performing to established standards.
• Maintains current job descriptions and development plans for each employee, including performance standards, with assistance from the BoD.

Communication – internal and external:

• Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with employees, the BoD, committee and commission members, association members, visitors, and vendors.
• Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with neighboring property owners, community associations, professional and environmental groups, as well as state and local government agencies.
• Utilize the Chairtree, the Lake Thunderbird website and Facebook page to communicate with Association members.
• Coordinates and attends events associated with the community.
• Partners with committee and commission members to assure conformance with Association covenants and restrictions, bylaws, and applicable local and state regulations.
• Participates as a representative of the Association in civic, professional and convention activities.
• Maintains an active membership in the Illinois Lake Management Association.

About You:

Experience:

• 3-5 years property and/or community association management experience or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of Lake Thunderbird Associations governing documents, rules and regulations and familiarity with the Common Interest Community Association Act (CICAA).
• Be conversant in a wide range of subjects including finance, conservation, ecology and laws that impact the Association.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Be well organized with strong time management skills and the ability to multi-task each day.
• Experience supervising exempt and non-exempt staff with proven ability to train, develop, lead and mentor.
• Must be a team player who works well with and motivates others.

Certifications/Designations:

• Hold a valid Community Association Management (CAM) Illinois license or obtained within 60 days.
• Participate in the Illinois Lake Manager Association (ILMA)

Technical skills:

• Has competency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) and relevant databases and software.
• Has experience working with QuickBooks, budgets, finances, and contracts is beneficial.

Key Competencies to succeed in this role:

• Communication: Up/Down/Across an organization
• Problem Solver
• Conflict Resolution
• Action Oriented
• Strategic Planner
• Negotiation Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Manages Criticism in a positive way.
• Leader
• Collaborator

This position describes the nature and level of work performed by the Lake Manager and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. The successful candidate may be required to perform other duties and responsibilities assigned. All job requirements are subject to change and may be modified to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

This position does not constitute an employment agreement between the Association and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the Association and the requirements of the position change.

What You Will Love About Us:

We believe in taking care of our team. Our benefits take a holistic approach to address full picture wellness: physical, mental, social, and financial well-being.

LTA benefits include:

• Medical, vision and life plans
• Retirement savings plan with employer match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off and holidays off

How to Apply:

Candidates can apply by email: Jobs@lakethunderbird.us

Lake Thunderbird Association is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Lake Thunderbird recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or citizenship status.