Under general administrative direction and
policy, performs very difficult managerial and administrative work in the
County Administrator’s Office; assists the County Administrator in directing
and coordinating departmental activities and staff; acts for the County
Administrator as assigned; and does related or other work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Assistant County Administrator is an
at-will, single position class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil
Service system. The incumbent reports
directly to the County Administrator and functions as a direct extension of the
County Administrator’s authority, with responsibility for ensuring that
assigned functions comply with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as
the policies established by the County Administrator and the Board of
Supervisors. The incumbent has broad,
independent responsibility for supervising, managing, and representing
activities of the County Administrator’s Office as assigned, including countywide
budgetary responsibility. The incumbent
is expected to model a strong work ethic and leadership skills, including
accountability for oneself and others.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This specification is a general guideline for the class. The statements below are not restrictive, and the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in this class may expand beyond those identified in the specification.
Assists the County Administrator with leading, planning, and organizing the administrative and operational activities of the County Administrator’s Office in a manner that maximizes efficiency, improves service levels, reduces administrative and service provision costs, and ensures effective utilization of available resources; exercises good judgment and makes sound and timely business decisions in managing assigned activities; provides strategic leadership through communication, demonstration, and accomplishment of the County’s mission, vision, and values.
Directs and manages the development, preparation, administration and review of the countywide budget; analyzes fiscal information and recommends cost-efficiency options.
Deals with and resolves conflict in a skillful manner.
Confers with the County Administrator regarding the development, management, and interpretation of department and countywide policies, plans, procedures, regulations, and ordinances; analyzes existing and proposed legislation to determine impact on assigned operations; recommends courses of action and acts as a consultant to County departments on assigned areas of responsibility.
Assists with the development and implementation of countywide quality improvement programs and initiatives for assigned areas; analyzes and monitors performance indicators and ensures that standards are being met; recommends process improvements to ensure operational effectiveness and superior customer service.
Participates in meetings of the Board of Supervisors, its committees, policy groups, and other groups as assigned by the County Administrator; makes presentations and provides recommendations on matters germane to areas of assignment.
Directs the activities of subordinate staff, including subordinate managers and supervisors; selects, trains, evaluates, and exercises administrative control over staff; reviews and takes action on disciplinary matters as required.
Directs and participates in a variety of studies or projects and makes recommendations regarding the County’s organization, services, space utilization, new positions, capital improvements, financing, long-range planning, operations, economic development, property control, management audits, Board referrals and reports, and other assigned areas.
Assists with the effective development and utilization of technology to improve systems and processes in the County Administrator’s Office.
Analyzes and summarizes complex narrative information and statistical data; prepares or supervises the preparation of complex analytical, statistical, and/or financial reports for County management as well as federal, state, or other external agencies; prepares Board of Supervisors reports and related documents; makes presentations to groups and individuals, including boards and commissions.
Develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with federal, state, and County officials, other counties, community groups, and the public; meets and confers with various parties to negotiate effective solutions to difficult problems.
Attends meetings and conferences; participates on committees and task forces.
Acts for the County Administrator as assigned.
May manage a major County department or activity as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in business or public administration, accounting, economics, social or behavioral sciences, or a closely-related field.
Experience: Seven years of management-level experience in a California state or local government setting that included responsibility for fiscal, personnel, administrative and/or analytical programs and required major program planning, budgeting, and implementation.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles and practices of public administration, including governmental accounting, budgeting, fiscal analysis, financial planning, project management, procurement, information management, and human resources management; fiscal and administrative problems and issues typically experienced by large governmental jurisdictions with diversified activities; practices and procedures of financial analysis, including forecasting and trend analysis; laws relating to the financial administration of county government and the effect of legislation on local government operations; principles of organizational planning and analysis; principles and techniques of public relations and public information; research methods, statistical analysis, and report writing; modern office automation technology and computer software programs relevant to assigned operations; practical and operational issues within the political environment of a county government agency.
ABILITY
Plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative and budgetary operations of a large and complex government organization in a cost-effective manner, while also ensuring excellent customer service; efficiently and effectively apply the principles, practices, and techniques of public administration to the management of assigned programs and operations; direct and conduct studies and projects objectively and imaginatively; manage the preparation and administration of large, complex budgets as well as fiscal and financial records; utilize automated systems to develop and maintain data; apply statistical methods in the analysis of management practices; manage multiple and changing priorities; conduct research and make appropriate decisions based on objective analysis of the information; provide appropriate and effective leadership and management over diverse staff teams, including subordinate managers and supervisors; exercise good judgment and make sound managerial decisions; exercise analytical and critical thinking to analyze complex problems and recommend appropriate solutions; understand, interpret, and apply legal codes, regulations, and rules pertaining to assigned operations; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, including the County Administrator’s Office staff, other County department heads and their staff, the Board of Supervisors, community groups, and others at all levels, both within and outside the County.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility—operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting, standing, walking for extended periods of time; driving; occasional pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Lifting—frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual—constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; read computer screens; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity—reaching; grasping; repetitive motion; writing; Hearing/Talking—frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological—frequent decision-making, concentration, and public contact; public speaking; deal with emergency situations; occasional exposure to hazardous materials; Special Requirements—some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; working alone; Environmental—occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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