Dunn County Manager

Dunn County is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as County Manager. This role is responsible for overseeing county operations, implementing policies set by the Board of Supervisors, and ensuring efficient service delivery to residents. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader with strong financial acumen, a commitment to ethical governance, and experience in effective administration in public sector management.

Under the direction of the Dunn County Board of Supervisors, performs complex professional work planning, developing, and administering the County’s services, programs, policies, and ordinances.   Coordinates and directs all administrative management functions of the county government not otherwise vested by law in boards or commissions or in other elected officers. Performs full range of duties vested in the position pursuant to Wis. Stat. 59.19 and Chapter 5 of the Dunn County Code of Ordinances, including legislative duties, budget preparation and execution, financial reports and planning, personnel administration, property management, insurance administration, appointments of office staff and officials, coordinate with other jurisdictions, and administrative duties.

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Attend all meetings of the County Board, advise and make recommendations to the board; In consultation with the chair of the County Board, prepare the agenda for meetings of the board; Attend and participate in as many committee meetings as possible and provide research and data. 
• Meet with the Executive Committee early each fiscal year to establish procedures, format and priorities desired in the preparation of the budget, and submit the annual budget to the Executive Committee, and monitor expenditures to ensure financial controls and compliance with budget allocations. 
• Make regular reports to the board, keeping the board fully advised as to the financial condition of the County and its future financial needs.
• Supervise and write administrative and personnel policies, appoint and supervise the department heads, except those elected by the people and except where the statutes provide that the appointment shall be made by elected officers. The County Manager shall also supervise all department heads where the law provides that the appointment shall be made by a board or commission, by the chairperson of the County Board or by the County Board. 
• Subject to overall supervision of the board or committees thereof, the County Manager shall: Be responsible for the care and custody of all real and personal property of the County; Direct the preparation of long-range plans for the management of county properties and for the construction and alteration of physical facilities; Coordinate, with the appropriate committee, the preparation of architectural plans for county buildings and their construction, and allocate space to county departments and agencies; 
• Oversee the administration of the county insurance program and insure all such property, liability, health and life insurance risks, as the board may direct. 
• Appoint such authorized administrative, clerical, and technical staff of the County Manager’s Office and may make recommendations to the chairperson of the board on the appointment of persons to the positions for which the board or the chairperson is the appointing authority. 
• See that all orders, ordinances, resolutions and regulations of the County Board are faithfully executed, supervise and coordinate the work of the departments and agencies under the direct jurisdiction or fiscal control of the board, develop county administrative code procedures, manage all county investments and securities and invest surplus funds, and handle the public relations affairs of the County and the County Board. 
• Represent the County in the transaction of its business with other public bodies. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

In evaluating candidates for this position, Dunn County may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

• The County Manager shall be chosen on the basis of administrative and executive ability, education, experience, and knowledge of governmental management operations. The County Manager shall have experience in responsible executive or administrative positions and shall possess the ability to plan and execute programs for the board, including budgeting, budgetary control, and coordination of varied activities. 
• At the time of appointment, the County Manager must be a citizen of the United States.  If not a resident of the county when appointed, the County Manager shall become a resident within six (6) months and shall remain a resident.  The County Manager shall devote full time to the duties of the office and shall not engage in any other business or occupation or hold any other public office. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration/Business Administration or closely related field. 
• Minimum total of five (5) years of responsible executive or director-level experience in public sector management
• Minimum total of two (2) years as an assistant or manager overseeing an organization of similar size and/or complexity. 
• Have experience in successfully managing high level issues with elected officials, developing, coordinating, and managing agenda items for committees and/or boards. 
• Have experience in intergovernmental relations with cities, villages, towns, state and federal governments. 
• Have experience in strategic thinking, short and long range planning of programs and services, and aligning priorities with goals. 
• Have experience in labor relations, human resources, risk management and insurance.
• Have experience in developing positive, collaborative relationships with elected Board Members, department heads and constitutional officers. 

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license or the ability to travel between work locations.
• Prior to hire, a caregiver and a criminal background check will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• At the time of appointment, the County Manager must be a citizen of the United States.  
• If the successful candidate is not a resident of Dunn County when appointed, the County Manager shall become a resident within six (6) months and shall remain a resident.  

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Public Administration/Business Administration or closely related field.
• Previous county experience. 
• Understanding of county government functions in Wisconsin is valued. Knowledge of county government regulations, laws, statutory policies and procedure.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES QUALIFICATIONS

In order to perform the duties of the County Manager position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential for County Manager to possess.

• Have well developed finance and budgeting skills with the ability to work closely with County officials and employees on budget development. The ability to develop financial plans, analyze and interpret financial data, and assess future financial needs is also needed. 
• Have strong analytical skills that can be applied to issues facing the County. 
• Have the skills to deal with conflict and conflict resolution and create positive experiences. 
• Be able to firmly yet diplomatically present professional views, concerns, and implications of matters under consideration, while recognizing that the final decision rests with the County Board. 
• Be politically astute without being political and exercise good judgment. 
• Have a background of complete integrity and honesty and of leading/motivating personnel by example. Be driven by core values, clear, committed, consistent and unwavering. 
• Be an anticipatory, proactive, creative, visionary leader, identifying future trends, developing effective strategies for addressing these trends. 
• Have confidence and patience that projects into the organization. Be confident and be transparent with the organization and the public. 
• Have knowledge of the technology needs of county government.
• Have strong interpersonal skills with the desire to work collaboratively with the Board of Supervisors, Elected Officials and appointed department heads as well as others in the organization and build trust and unity with everyone. 

MINIMUM LANGUAGE SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS 

In order to perform the duties of the County Manager position (listed above) the following language skills are essential for the County Manager to possess. 

• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be capable of making effective public presentations, including extensive personal or written responses to public concerns and suggestions. Be clear and concise in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and the general public in written and verbal form. 
• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

MINIMUM REASONING ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS

In order to perform the duties of the County Manager position (listed above) the following reasoning abilities are essential for the County Manager to possess.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Must have the ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

MINIMUM MATHEMATICAL ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS

In order to perform the duties of the County Manager position (listed above) the following mathematical skills are essential for the County Manager to possess.

• Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.
• Ability to understand and apply governmental accounting practices in maintenance of financial records.

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical effort will typically require prolonged and frequent exertion of objects weighing up to 10 pounds and/or regular, but not continuous, exertion of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Continuous speaking, hearing, and using hands dexterously; work frequently requires sitting; and work occasionally requires standing, walking, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• The physical and environmental hazards and risks associated with the job can be characterized as minimal.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, moderate traffic).

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or affect the at-will nature of the employment arrangement between the employee and company, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Salary : $130,000 - $171,000