County Manager

 County Manager
FLSA Status: At-Will / Exempt / Contract
Department: County Manager’s Office
Reports to: Board of County Commissioners
Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications
Position Summary
The County Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of Grant County and is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners. Under the policy direction of the Board, the County Manager is responsible for the executive leadership, administration, coordination, and oversight of County government and for implementing the policies, goals, and strategic priorities established by the Board. The County Manager oversees the daily operations of an organization serving approximately 28,000 residents through a workforce of approximately 185 employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $26 million. The position is responsible for ensuring the efficient, ethical, and fiscally responsible delivery of County services while maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and County policies.
As the County's highest-ranking administrative official, the County Manager provides visionary leadership, promotes organizational excellence, supports transparency and accountability in government, and develops collaborative partnerships that enhance the quality of life for the residents of Grant County.Scope of Responsibility
The County Manager is accountable for:
•Executive leadership and administration of County government.
•Oversight of approximately 185 County employees.
•Administration of an annual operating budget of approximately $26 million.
•Strategic planning and organizational development.
•Fiscal stewardship and long-term financial sustainability.
•Capital improvement planning and infrastructure management.
•Human resources administration.
•Emergency preparedness and continuity of government.
•Intergovernmental relations and legislative advocacy.
•Economic and community development initiatives.
•Grant administration and compliance.
•Risk management and organizational accountability.
•Implementation of policies adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The following statements describe the general responsibilities of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all assigned duties.
Executive Leadership
•Provide executive leadership and administrative direction for all County operations.
•Implement policies and directives established by the Board of County Commissioners.
•Establish organizational goals, objectives, priorities, and performance measures.
•Evaluate County operations and recommend organizational improvements that enhanceefficiency, accountability, innovation, and customer service.
•Foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, collaboration, transparency, andcontinuous improvement.
•Anticipate emerging issues and develop strategic responses to changing economic,legislative, demographic, environmental, and community conditions.
Board of County Commissioners Support
•Serve as the chief administrative advisor to the Board of County Commissioners.
•Prepare Commission meeting agendas in coordination with the Board.
•Provide timely, accurate, objective, and comprehensive information tosupport policy decisions.
•Prepare and present reports, recommendations, resolutions, ordinances, contracts,
and other official documents.
•Ensure effective implementation of Board policies and directives.
•Maintain open communication and productive working relationshipswith Commissioners.
Organizational Leadership and Human Resources
•Direct the administration of County personnel policies and procedures.
•Recruit, develop, mentor, evaluate, and retain executive leadership anddepartment directors.
•Promote succession planning and professional development.
•Ensure compliance with employment laws, County personnelpolicies, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
•Recommend organizational restructuring and staffing adjustments as necessary.
•Foster a positive workplace culture built upon respect, accountability,collaboration, and employee engagement.
Departmental Administration
Provide executive oversight, coordination, and support for County departments, including but not limited to:
•County Manager's Office
•Road Department
•Finance and Procurement
•Human Resources
•Legal
•Detention Center
•Planning and Community Development
•Emergency Management
•DWI Program
•Maintenance
•Fire Management
•Airport
•Shooting Range
•Transit Services
Collaborate effectively with independently elected officials and constitutional offices, including:
•County Assessor
•County Clerk
•County Treasurer
•County Sheriff
•Probate Judge
while recognizing and respecting the statutory authority and independence of each office.
Strategic Planning and Organizational Performance
•Develop and implement strategic initiatives that advance the County's mission andJong-term objectives.
•Establish measurable organizational performance standards.
•Evaluate departmental performance and operational effectiveness.
•Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance service delivery andoperational efficiency.
•Coordinate Jong-range planning efforts and capital improvement priorities.
Economic Development and Community Partnerships
•Promote sustainable economic growth and community development.
•Pursue grant opportunities and strategic funding partnerships.
•Build collaborative relationships with municipalities, tribal governments, educationalinstitutions, business organizations, nonprofit agencies, regional partners, and stateand federal agencies.
•Represent Grant County before governmental organizations, legislative bodies, andcommunity groups.
•Advocate for County priorities through effective legislative and intergovernmentalrelations.
Emergency Management
•Support emergency preparedness, disaster response, and continuity of government
operations.
•Coordinate with public safety agencies and emergency management personnel
during emergencies.
•Assist in securing disaster assistance and grant funding following declaredemergencies.
•Ensure County operations remain resilient during natural disasters, public health
emergencies, and other critical incidents.
Public Relations and Community Engagement
•Promote public confidence through ethical leadership, transparency, andaccountability.
•Respond to citizen concerns and facilitate resolution of sensitive issues.
•Represent the County before civic organizations, community groups, mediarepresentatives, and the public.
•Foster consensus among diverse stakeholders while balancing communityinterests and County priorities.
Additional Responsibilities
•Coordinate intergovernmental agreements and collaborative initiatives.
•Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations,ordinances, and County policies.
•Direct special projects assigned by the Board of County Commissioners.
•Perform other duties as assigned by the Board.
Leadership Competencies
The successful County Manager will demonstrate:
•Visionary and strategic leadership
•Ethical decision-making and integrity
•Fiscal stewardship
•Political acumen and sound judgment
•Organizational and operational excellence
•Collaborative leadership
•Consensus building and conflict resolution
•Effective communication and public engagement
•Change management
•Crisis leadership and emergency response
•Innovation and continuous improvement
•Commitment to exceptional public service
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of:
•Public administration principles and practices
•County government operations
•Government finance and budgeting
•Strategic planning
•Human resource management
•Organizational development
•Capital improvement planning
•Procurement and contract administration
•Grant management
•Risk management
•Emergency management
•Economic development
•New Mexico County government statutes
•Open Meetings Act (OMA)
•Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA)
•Governmental ethics and public accountability Ability to:
•Lead a complex public organization.
•Build collaborative relationships.
•Analyze complex issues and develop practical solutions.
•Communicate effectively with elected officials, employees, community stakeholders, andthe public.
•Manage multiple priorities in a dynamic political environment.
•Exercise independent judgment and sound decision-making.
•Inspire confidence through ethical and transparent leadership.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Finance, Political Science, Organizational Leadership or a closely related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership in a public-sector organization with significant responsibility for budgeting, personnel administration, strategic planning and organizational leadership.
OR
Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Finance, Political Science, Organizational Leadership or a closely related field and six (6) years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership in a public-sector organization with significant responsibility for budgeting, personnel administration, strategic planning and organizational leadership.
OR
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible executive leadership or upper-level management experience in a public-sector organization or closely related field with significant responsibility for budgeting, personnel administration, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference may be given to candidates possessing:
• Experience as a County Manager, City Manager, or comparable executive leadership
positions.
• Experience-administering governmental budgets exceeding $20 million.
• Experience supervising multiple departments and executive-level personnel.
• Experience with labor relations and collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience in economic development, capital improvement planning, and grant
administration.
• Professional certifications such as ICMA Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM), Certified
Public Manager (CPM), or related executive leadership credentials.
• Knowledge of New Mexico county government operations and applicable statutes.