Description
JOB TITLE: Assistant County Administrator FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: County Administrator
DEPARTMENT: Administration Office
GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Assistant County Administrator’s primary function is to serve as the sole assistant and second-in-command to the County Administrator. Under the supervision of the County Administrator works in conjunction with the County Administrator in the overall management and administration of county services and functions. The Assistant County Administrator is responsible for carrying out administrative functions of the County including oversight of human resources, grants, and Freedom of Information Act Requests, and assists with finance, budgeting, Audit, Risk Management, Information Technology, GIS, Economic Development, Community Development, Collective Bargaining Negotiations, Contract Administration, Workplace Investigations, Capital Improvements Projects, Maintenance Projects, Lake Level Projects, and serving as a liaison to various County Committees and boards. As authorized, the Assistant County Administrator may also assume the duties of the County Administrator in his/her absence, including acting as a principal spokesperson for the County and Administration Department. Supervises and coordinates Administrative Office staff. Performs variety of related office and administrative duties.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Responsible for oversight of the County’s Human Resources Department, including payroll, benefits administration, employee management, recruitment/retention, government/agency reporting, ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements and personnel policies, developing and maintaining policies and procedures for a consistent, safe and legally compliant workplace including OSHA, MIOSHA and other federal, state, or local directives or mandates, as well as designing and implementing processes and procedures for the execution of these duties.
2. Responsible for the oversight and coordination of all grant applications, administration, and reporting. Including working and coordinating with the various departments, committees, Board of Commissioners, and federal and state agencies.
3. Responsible for the oversight and ensuring the timely delivery and response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Including ensuring adherence to state statute and the County’s policy, as well as working with County departments and various stakeholders.
4. Assist in the County’s finance, budgets, and audit processes. Including conducting journal entries, completing budget amendments, and developing information for the annual budget and audit.
5. Assists with Risk Management including the administration of safety and insurance matters, including Property, Casualty, Automobile and Liability insurance.
6. Assists in the administration of the County’s Information Technology and GIS resources, including the purchase, administration, and deployment of software, hardware, and other peripheral devices.
7. Assists in projects involving County Economic and Community Development, including business retention and attraction efforts, aiding local units of government, and developing and implementing strategic development plans.
8. Assists with Union Collective Bargaining Negotiations, Contract Administration, grievance adjudication, and Workplace Investigations.
9. Assists with capital improvement projects, maintenance projects, Lake Level projects.
10. Aids in serving as a liaison to various committees and assists in developing agendas and packets, and in attending meetings of the Board of Commissioners and other committees.
11. Assists the County Administrator in providing advice to the Board of Commissioners and various committees to facilitate action on matters requiring their attention.
12. Assists the County Administrator by providing timely information and reports; evaluates alternative courses of action and presents recommendations, as requested.
13. Assists the County Administrator in ensuring that the Board of Commissioner’s direction is carried out and that County policies, rules, and regulations are properly implemented.
14. As needed, acts as assistant to and may act for County Administrator, as authorized.
15. Assists the County Administrator in the general management of County government including at times serving as liaison between the County Administrator and all departments and elected offices.
16. In conjunction with the County Administrator, responsible for the daily supervision of Administration Office staff including scheduling and work responsibilities.
17. Responsible for special projects as assigned.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Works in a normal office environment where there are relatively few discomforts due to dust, dirt, noise and the like.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Considerable knowledge of Public Administration and County/local units of government in Michigan.
2. Considerable knowledge of financial analysis, budget processes, and long-range financial planning.
3. Ability to supervise and lead employees and department heads and offer staff professional development.
4. Ability to read and write in order to proof, draft and edit forms, records, correspondence, and the like for punctuation, spelling, grammar and typographical errors; perform arithmetic calculations; and maintain record keeping and filing systems, at a level normally acquired through completion of high school.
5. Ability to complete data entry accurately and efficiently; and knowledge of office systems, procedures, equipment, and computer applications; at a level normally acquired through up to six years related course work and training in high school or beyond.
6. Six years progressively more responsible, related experience necessary in order to administer payroll and benefits, maintain records and files, and complete payroll changes and data entry with required efficiency and accuracy. Two years’ experience in governmental accounting required.
7. Interpersonal skills necessary to be courteous and tactful in gathering and exchanging information, communicating policies and factual information, and dealing with employees, department heads, and other various stakeholders.
8. Analytical abilities necessary to check and verify records, resolve discrepancies in balances or totals, proof and edit reports, maintain records and files, and organize and prioritize work assigned.
9. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and materials.
EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS:
The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related criteria. The employer reserves the right to substitute education and experience requirements.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required with advanced coursework in public administration, business administration, or Human Resources. Prefer Graduate Degree and advanced coursework in Human Resources, finance, accounting and bookkeeping.
Experience: Minimum five years’ experience in a governmental office environment. Preferred seven to eight years’ progressively more responsible experience working independently in a Chief Executive or Chief Administrative Officers’ Office environment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Ability to communicate with others in order to gather and exchange information.
2. Ability to respond to email and telephone inquiries.
3. Ability to continually proofread, check and verify data from printed form and computer monitor display.
4. Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to enter, retrieve, and/or audit information and data on a regular basis.
5. Ability to pull from shelves, and lift and transport heavy record books to and from various locations.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
1. Reports to the County Administrator.
2. Responsible for leading and supervision of three full time employees.
