Assistant County Manager

General Statement of Duties

Franklin County is currently recruiting for the position of Assistant County Manager. The ideal candidate should be an energetic, forward-thinking professional with a generalist approach. An employee in this class is responsible for performing a wide range of managerial functions which support the County’s operations and help the County achieve its mission, vision, values and goals. The employee provides direct supervision for some departments as assigned, works closely with departments on special projects and works on a variety of County-wide initiatives. Work includes short-and long-range planning, budget research and development, special projects, public information, dealing with complaints and service requests, troubleshooting, and researching issues for the Manager, supervision of service delivery and staff through the department heads and sub-levels of supervisors, and handling sensitive issues with the general public. The employee attends all meetings of the County Commissioners and attends meetings to represent the County as the County’s representative. Considerable tact, diplomacy, judgment, and initiative are needed to make decisions and effectively perform these functions for the County. Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Manager and is reviewed through conferences, reports, results obtained, and reaction from the Board and the general public.

Duties and Responsibilities/Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Assists the Manager with the planning and development of programs to achieve the goals and objectives defined by elected officials; coordinates, directs, and supervises staff in completing Board directives.
• Serves as project manager for multi-department projects; coordinates the development of projects, reports, studies, grant proposals, and ordinances as requested by the Manager; negotiates contracts and agreements.
• Serves as contact in the County Manager’s office for department heads that have needs or questions regarding internal operational concerns and issues; assists in providing information, policy interpretation and resolving areas of concern.
• Works with the County Manager and other staff in developing policy and long-range approaches for direction and program service delivery to be offered and implemented by the county.
• Serves as liaison for interdepartmental contacts; assists department heads and supervisors in assigned departments with resolving personnel problems and citizen requests or complaints.
• Serves as County Manager, as requested, in the absence of the Manager; attends all meetings of the Commissioners to report on policy, service delivery and other items as needed, and follows up on issues raised at the meeting.
• Conducts research; develops information for the budget including new and existing programs and services; monitors budget expenditures during the fiscal year cycle; reviews and makes mid-year recommendations regarding budget revisions.
• Communicates and coordinates as needed with other government agencies, jurisdictions or public groups to accomplish policy review and represent the County in negotiating issues and policies.
• Plans and organizes long and short-range goals with the County Manager on special projects and public activities; represents the county at various meetings, study commissions and planning sessions.
• Consults and advises assigned department heads in the areas of budget and fiscal management, personnel and staffing issues, purchasing and other administrative actions as requested.
• Performs special administrative duties and project coordination as assigned by the County Manager.
• Position will involve travel to meetings, conferences, and training from time to time.
• Provides direct supervision of departments as assigned.
• Responds to citizen inquires, concerns, and complaints as requested.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Thorough knowledge of general laws, ordinances, and administrative policies governing County operations, practices, and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of the County’s budgetary program, policies, records, and related practices and mandated State requirements at the County level.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting, purchasing, and budgeting in local governments.
• Thorough knowledge of basic County governmental functions and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of liability, insurance, and risk management issues for the County.
• Ability to manage and provide leadership to department heads in the problems, issues, and concerns which arise on internal operations as well as in strategic planning and organizing and implementing service delivery.
• Ability to supervise department heads and subsequently all staff of the County; and to organize structures and procedures to account for and evaluate performance and service delivery results.
• Ability to analyze, determine options, and effectively resolve problems and handle daily operations effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, employees, public officials, appropriate governing bodies, superior, and the general public.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making administrative interpretations and serving as the representative of the County Manager.
• Ability to express ideas, concepts, and plans effectively, both in oral and written forms.
• Ability to plan and organize demanding and varied activities and prioritize appropriately.
• Ability to monitor compliance with federal and state laws and local ordinances.

Desirable Education and Experience

Master’s degree in public administration, business, or related field and considerable experience in public sector management work involving planning, administrative and budgetary responsibilities; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Other Information

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• In county residency preferred.