It's a thankless position, one performed behind the scenes, with little or no fanfare. It's a difficult job that requires organizational skills and prioritizing, as well as a certain level of tact.

One doesn't have to be a native to be the manager of Manheim Township. But it sure does help.

Meet Rick Kane. While it's his experience and expertise that may make him qualified for the job of manager, it's his love for Manheim Township that motivates him to do it well.

"I've lived in Manheim Township for almost my entire life," said Kane, who's held the position of township manager for a year, after being employed as the chief of the fire company. "I can assure you that I came into this position with a different perspective. I know the history. This is my hometown. I'm vested. Now I'm raising my family here."

Kane's job as township manager is perhaps best characterized as a little bit of everything, all the time. Kane is the guy who can get you anything you want or knows who can.

With 44,000 residents in its 24 square miles, Manheim Township is the only township in Lancaster County designated as a first-class township - that is, one that has a population density of 300 or more residents per square mile. Of the nearly 2,400 municipalities in Pennsylvania, there exist only 92 first-class townships.

"For me, what makes the job interesting is the variety," said Kane. "We're so big and we're so busy, but big doesn't make us better. Financially, we're pretty well off. We have to be good at using all the tools in the toolbox to provide the services we do. Some of it is prioritizing and thinking what's important to the citizens. We have to balance the services we provide with the budget."

Kane directly or indirectly oversees Manheim Township's 400-member workforce of full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. Manheim Township operates or maintains a police force, a fire department, a zoning department, a planning department, a public works department, a library, two pools and a golf course.

As the township manager, Kane also provides support and acts as the liaison between the public and the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners.

"Not a day goes by that I'm not on the phone or meeting in person with one of the commissioners," said Kane. "I would equate my job to being like the operations director of a corporation. I'm responsible for the day-to-day operations in the township, and our product is service. The vast majority of Manheim Township residents who walk into this building for a service really don't give it a thought. When you put all the pieces together, it ends up with the township manager."

Kane began his work in the township at the age of 16 as a volunteer with the Manheim Township ambulance. For 37 years, he has provided some sort of service to the township, as either a paid employee or a volunteer.

"We have such a diversity here and all these people need services," said Kane. "The fact is our residents enjoy a level of services you don't get in a lot of places. We have to be proactive to provide that level of services. We believe we're providing those services well, but we're going to need more resources if we're going to continue providing the services we are now."