Riley County Administrator

Description

Position Summary: The County Administrator coordinates the administrative operations of Riley County, consistent with the budgets, policies and strategies set forth by the Board of County Commissioners. Subject to input from the Board, the Administrator evaluates appointed department head performance and provides feedback for improvement and professional and personal goal development for departments. The Board of County Commissioners retains the sole authority to hire, fire and discipline appointed department heads.

This position provides centralized leadership and serves as the primary point of contact for internal operations and external partnerships, ensuring efficient coordination across departments and agencies.

The Administrator oversees administrative service functions and provides executive leadership working collaboratively with appointed department heads and independently elected officials. The position is responsible for advancing strategic priorities, improving organizational performance, and modernizing county operations to support growth and service delivery.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manages Riley County Human Resources, Financial Services, and Public Information divisions and services. 
• Administers policy, fiscal management, procurement and equipment/facilities planning for the department.  
• Attends BOCC meetings; presents recommendations; advises on operational, financial, and strategic matters. 
• Serves as chief administrative officer and implements policies established by the Board of County Commissioners. 
• Develops and implements countywide strategic plans aligned with Board priorities and community needs. 
• Serves as the central coordination point (single POC) for county operations and intergovernmental collaboration.
• Represents the County in interactions with local, state, and federal agencies, community organizations, and the public. 
• Strengthens partnerships to support economic development, planning, and community services. 
• Responds to citizen concerns and ensures appropriate resolution.
• Provides leadership, guidance, and performance insight to appointed department heads. 
• Ensures alignment of departmental goals with countywide priorities and performance expectations.
• Promotes cross-department collaboration to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and county financial and administrative regulations. 
• Coordinates services and operations with elected officials (Treasurer, Clerk, Register of Deeds, County Attorney) while respecting statutory independence. 
• Provides administrative support, data, and coordination to enhance countywide effectiveness. 
• Uses data and performance metrics to guide decision-making and resource allocation
• Facilitates communication and alignment between elected and appointed offices and administrative department. 
• Coordinates with the various agencies at all levels; federal, state and local. 
• Oversees presentation of the annual recommended operating budget and capital improvements and long-range strategic plan for county operations to the Board for review, revision and approval.
• Oversees financial planning, procurement, and administrative policies, including grant oversight, through the Finance Officer. 
• Monitors organizational performance, expenditures, and operational outcomes, and implements improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborates with Human Resources in staffing and personnel development.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinates with the County Counselor execution of contracts and official documents approved by the Board. 
• Coordinates department inventory assignments. 
• Identify and recommend appointments to boards commissions and appointment to non-employee officers for which the Board of County Commissioners is the appointing authority by law.
• Ensures Human Resources and Department Heads collaborate for appointment, compensation, discipline and change in status of non-department head personnel in the departments of non-elected department heads.
• Ensures same support and collaboration for elected department heads 
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Board of County Commissioners.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, finance, or related field required. Master’s degree (MPA, MBA, or related) preferred. 

License(s)/Certification(s): Valid Driver’s license. ICMA Credentialed Manager, Certified Public Manager certification, or similar credential preferred.

Experience: 10 years of progressively responsible executive or senior management experience. Significant experience in local government operations, budgeting, and organizational leadership. Demonstrated experience working with elected officials and governing bodies. 2+ years’ experience writing or administering grants preferred. 

Skills: Executive leadership and organizational management. Strategic planning and implementation. Financial and budget management. Intergovernmental relations and negotiation. Strong communication and public engagement. Ability to lead organizational change and modernization. Demonstrated ability in personnel management and relationship building with employees, peers and governing bodies. Must consider diverse viewpoints and establish a common understanding, suitable alternatives or a satisfactory solution to controversial problems. Must be able to set goals, develop and implement policies and administrative methodology. Must have ability to understand complex oral and written instruction, ability to speak and write effectively, and ability to give clear, concise instruction orally and in writing. Must be able to research a logical solution to a problem and convincingly apply that to a narrative.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Primarily sedentary office work with frequent meetings, communication, and occasional travel. Extended hours may be required. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics represent those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional office environment with frequent interruptions, high-level decision-making, and periodic high-pressure situations related to public issues and organizational priorities. The Administrator will encounter high stress conditions routinely.

Shall establish permanent residence within the boundaries of Riley County within 1 calendar year of appointment. Permanent residence includes the rental of a home or apartment, registration to vote and registration of a motor vehicle in their name at the residence under Kansas law.

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 work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.