Employment

County Administrator
Summary
Title:County Administrator
ID:3295
Department:Administration
Job Type:Full-time
Campaign Start Date:09/23/2021
Salary Range:DOQ
Closing Date:open until filled
Description

The Community
Becker County, with an estimated population of 34,098, is located on U.S. Highway 10 in West Central Minnesota, is 45 miles east of the Fargo/Moorhead metropolitan area. The County encompasses 1,440 square miles and stretches 30 miles north to south and 48 miles east to west. Situated in one of Minnesota’s most beautiful and versatile recreation areas, Becker County has over 400 lakes, abundant streams, and forests and trails that draw visitors year-round to enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Within Becker County, there are 37 townships and seven cities, including the county seat of Detroit Lakes, which is the largest city with a population of 9,200. A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation is in the northern part of the County. Becker County is primarily served by seven school districts. Healthcare services are provided by Essentia Health and Sanford Health in the city of Detroit Lakes. The hospital provides services that include a birthing center, medical clinic, 24-hour emergency room, and home health services.

Becker County is served by five commissioners elected from individual districts to serve four-year, staggered terms. The County Board of Commissioners selects a Chair and Vice Chair annually and governs all County affairs through the establishment of policies, priorities, and goals including the adoption of an annual budget and tax levy. The County is organized into subcommittees that study and work on a variety of policy issues before bringing recommendations to the full Board for consideration. Becker County has four elected officials: County Attorney, County Auditor/Treasurer, Recorder and Sheriff. These officials are elected to four-year terms. The Board appoints a County Administrator who is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of those departments that are not headed by an elected official. Becker County is a full-service county providing a wide range of important functions including Assessor, Attorney, Auditor Treasurer, Emergency Management, Engineer/County Highway, Environmental Services, Extension, Housing & Economic Development, Human Services, Motor Vehicle, Natural Resource Management, Parks & Recreation, Planning & Zoning, Recorder, Sheriff, Sunnyside Care Center, Transit and Veteran Services. County departments work closely with the Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). Becker County Court administration and probation services are under the supervision of the State of Minnesota.


JOB SUMMARY

People Management Responsibilities

This full time position manages all department heads and works closely with elected officials, providing overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out these responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies, applicable laws, and goals. Facilitates coordination of activities with state entities working with the County such as District Courts, Probation/Parole, Extension, and others. Appoints, supervises, suspends, and removes, with the approval of the County Board, all county department heads and personnel whose appointment, suspension and/or removal is a function of the County Board.Manages and evaluates department heads through on-going performance management, constructive feedback, and professional development plans.

Develops a strong management team among department heads to effectively meet or exceed employee and customer needs. Assertively manages group and interpersonal conflict situations to the point of resolution. Effectively manages through appropriate delegation and direction to others to perform tasks and responsibilities. Promotes positive employee relations and a team environment by facilitating an atmosphere of open communication, problem solving and creating a shared awareness of County goals, objectives, and current events. Brings a focused, calming influence on crisis situations, organizing the situation and directing appropriate action.

Quality Service Responsibilities

Establishes current and long-range operational goals, objectives, plans, and policies subject to approval by the County Board. Dispenses advice, guidance, direction, and authorization to carry out major plans, standards, and procedures, consistent with established policies and Board approval. Ensures that operations are being executed in accordance with the organization's policies. Provides general supervision over all county institutions and agencies. Reviews operating results of the organization, compares them to established objectives, and takes steps to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to correct unsatisfactory results. Provides appropriate information necessary for the County Board to make decisions regarding improvements of county programs, by preparing agendas and making recommendations for the direction and actions of the improvements. Attends all County Board meetings, participating in discussions and making special studies and reports as requested or on own initiative. Provides County Board with regular updates on all aspects of the administrator functions. Follows up the actions of the County Board through correspondence, communication, observation, and assistance to ensure compliance with board decisions and policies. Providing for the execution of ordinances, resolutions, and orders of the Board. Serves as the Board's legislative liaison with state and federal legislators, advising and making recommendations to the County board on the status of relevant pending legislation. Serves as clerk to the County Board. Attends professional meetings, seminars, conferences, and training programs to maintain awareness of new developments and trends in public administrations as related to County government and provides reports to the County Board.

Financial Management Responsiblities

Oversees the entire County financial system by directing, preparing, monitoring, and developing projections of the County operating and capital budgets. Executes operating plans and budgets in accordance with the County's philosophy by preparing and submitting recommendations for Board action, ensuring the adequacy and soundness of the organization's financial structure, researching, analyzing, and recommending system changes. Establishes short- and long-range goals for funding sources. Monitor's department's financial performance against budget and takes appropriate actions to ensure overall budgetary compliance. Recommends amendments to the budget. Authorizes or approves departmental expenditures. Researches public and private grant agencies and foundations to identify potential sources of funding for research, community service, or other projects. Directs grant programs for funding.

Customer Service Responsibilities

Provides and communication with the County Board, the Public, State, Cities, Tribal Council, and other county departments to ensure questions and concerns and general information including budgets, projections, activity reports and future plans are provided. Serves as a Public and Media Information Source, by being accessible to the media for interviews and by composing and issuing press releases. Represents the County Board at meetings of local, state, and regional committees or organizations. Serves as a customer service role model for the County and the department. Ensuring staff adheres to customer service principles during interactions with all customers, including co-workers, other departments, and CommissionersProvide customers with directions and guidance, is courteous and patient and resolve customer problem immediately when able.

Safety Responsibilities

Supervises the County's safety programs to manage and minimize the risk of employee accidents and injuries. Ensures that all injury reports are completed and submitted to the Human Resource department within 24 hours of an incident. 

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; Master’s in public administration preferred. At least four years’ experience as an Administrator or 10 years in a senior Department Head / Supervisor role supervising staff. Preferably experience in County Government. 

Schedule
Mainly Monday through Friday, daytime hours with some flexibility to attend evening community meetings about once per month and travel to attend conferences a few times per year. 

Compensation and Benefits
Full-time. Wage DOQ. This position is eligible for a wide range of competitive benefits, including state pension plan, vacation time, sick time, personal and holiday leave time. In addition, the position is eligible for the County's cafeteria health plan, consisting of three health plans and carrier options; Dental, Vision, and Life insurance; Health Savings and Flexible Spending accounts; Long-term and Short-Term Disability; Supplemental Accident, Hospital, and Critical Illness plans; and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The County contributes monthly health benefits to aide in the rising of insurance costs with the contribution rate evaluated annually. Additionally, employees have the option to take part of this contribution as cash in lieu of benefits. 

Application and Selection Process
Open until filled. Apply online at the Becker County website: www.co.applicantstack.com/x/openings. For more information, please contact Becker County's Human Resources department: (218) 846-7309 or humanresources@co.becker.mn.us.
BECKER COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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