Lassen County: County Administrative Officer
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
Lassen County is seeking a dynamic County Administrative Officer (CAO) who is a well-rounded and experienced administrator with strong generalist skills complemented by a passion for public service. With outstanding interpersonal skills and a reputation for decisive leadership, the successful candidate will serve the County’s interests by providing expert assistance while establishing highly effective working relationships with the Board of Supervisors and other key staff.
The candidate should have unquestioned personal integrity and honesty, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate a willingness to make difficult decisions and stand by those decisions. With a strong work ethic and an ability to lead by example, the candidate will be proactive in identifying issues for the Board of Supervisors and providing alternative courses of action.
Ideally, the candidate will have a strong administrative background, complemented by excellent writing and public speaking skills, and the ability to address issues with a problem-solving approach rather than a regulatory manner.
Above all, the ideal candidate will establish instant credibility as an authority on the civil and administrative affairs of Lassen County. The candidate will bring a dynamic mix of analytical and strategic thinking skills, effective interpersonal communications, and a solid background in the broad spectrum of municipal affairs.
Important attributes for CAO include:
- Skill and experience working with elected officials;
- Budget and fiscal management;
- Relevant expertise with land use and planning, including code enforcement and environmental issues;
- Experience with employee and labor relations; and
- Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on fair and equitable treatment in the conduct of municipal affairs.
THE POSITION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The Administration Office is a department serving the government of Lassen County and, indirectly, the people of the County. With the exception of the fair department, the county administrative officer shall supervise for the board and administer all county offices, departments and entities which the board has responsibility and control through its power of appointment and provides leadership over an office staff of two.
Responsibilities of the county administrative officer included, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) The county administrative officer shall be responsible to the board for the administration of county offices, departments, and institutions as set forth in subsection (a) of this section. He or she shall be responsible for the coordination of the work of all elective and appointive county offices, departments, and institutions in areas which are the concern and responsibility of the board. He or she may make such studies and investigations which he or she believes are necessary or desirable and shall make any study or investigation the board requests. He or she shall make recommendations to the board which he or she believes will result in greater efficiency and economy in the administration of county affairs. To enable the county administrative officer to carry out such responsibilities, he or she may require reports from any office, department head, or other entity.
(2) Unless otherwise prescribed by statute, ordinance or resolution, the county administrative officer shall appoint appointed department heads. The county administrative officer will consult with the board, in closed session, prior to dismissing or demoting an appointed department head.
(3) The county administrative officer shall recommend an annual county budget. In concert with the county auditor, he or she shall review departmental budget requests and shall enter recommendations for each departmental budget along with the requests. After the county administrative officer has submitted the recommended budget to the board, the board shall review the recommendations and the departmental requests, make any changes believed to be advisable, and adopt the preliminary budget in the manner provided by law.
(4) After the final county budget has been adopted by the board, the county administrative officer shall administer the budget and exercise continuous budgetary control. In concert with the county auditor, he or she shall review all requests for appropriation transfers, and none shall be approved or disapproved by the board until he or she make a recommendation to the board. He or she shall supervise expenditure of all elective and appointive offices, departments, and institutions. He or she may disapprove proposed expenditures whether or not they have been included in the budget. The county administrative officer may recommend to the board the establishment of a budgetary allotment system and such other expenditure controls which he or she believes to be necessary or desirable.
(5) The county administrative officer shall review all requests for new positions and classifications or reclassifications, and none shall be approved or disapproved by the board until the county administrative officer has made a recommendation to the board on the position involved. The county administrative officer shall recommend to the board procedures which he or she believes will result in a more efficient personnel program. Unless otherwise provided for by law, the county administrative officer is the appointing authority for all county positions.
(6) The county administrative officer shall attend the meetings of the board and may participate in the discussion of any matter but shall have no vote.
(7) The county administrative officer shall represent the board in the county’s intergovernmental relationships in accordance with board policies and instructions. When directed, the county administrative officer shall represent the board in dealing with individuals or groups concerned with county affairs.
(8) The county administrative officer shall evaluate the on-the-job performance of each appointed department head at least once annually.
(9) The county administrative officer shall be responsible for the labor relations program of the county.
(10) The county administrative officer shall coordinate the planning for the design and construction of physical facilities and the assignment of space required for county services. He or she shall prepare, and keep current, a capital improvement plan, including recommended methods for financing for adoption by the board.
(11) The county administrative officer is responsible for the purchasing program for the county and is designated its purchasing agent.
(12) Authority, but not responsibility, for the duties assigned to the county administrative officer may be delegated. Delegation will be in writing with limitations and copied to the board.
(13) During absences from the county, the county administrative officer will appoint an acting county administrative officer from among the appointed department heads. When an absence from the county is for more than thirty days, or, for disciplinary or investigative reasons, the board will appoint an acting county administrative officer which may or may not be an appointed department head.
(Ord. 473-B § 2, 1997; Ord. 473-C §§ 2, 3, 1998; Ord. 473-E § 2, 2000)
QUALIFICATIONS:
The county administrative officer shall be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree (Ord. 473-B § 2, 1997). Master’s degree desired.
Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.
Code of Ethics
During his or her tenure in office the county administrative officer will remain a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and adhere to its code of ethics.
(Ord. 473-B § 2, 1997)
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Compensation:
Annual Base Salary Range: $164,934 – $206,167
The County Administrative Officer will serve at the will of the Board of Supervisors (pursuant to Lassen County Code § 2.06.030). The salary and benefits of the county administrative officer shall be fixed by the board of supervisors. The county administrative officer is the sole member of the county administration bargaining unit. Compensation includes a Flexible Benefit Spending plan and salary is subject to negotiation depending upon qualifications.
Benefit package:
- Insurance– Flexible benefits spending plan to which the County contributes an allotment for employees to choose medical, dental, vision, life and supplemental insurance plans.
- Pers Retirement– County participates in the PERS Retirement System
- Vacation, sick, personal and administrative leave
- Holidays- 13 paid holidays per year
- Longevity
- Monthly vehicle allowance
- Life Insurance- $40,000 policy
- Choice between two optional Deferred Compensation 457 (b) plans
- Choice of optional supplemental insurance plans
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
Recruitment open until filled.
First Review: November 1, 2024.
Application materials will be reviewed, and the best-qualified applicants will be invited to Susanville to participate in interviews.
HOW TO APPLY:
An official Lassen County application may be obtained from the Personnel Office listed below or by visiting our website at https://www.lassencounty.org/dept/personnel-risk-management/job-openings. It is your responsibility to provide specific, accurate and complete information describing how you meet the minimum qualifications. Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter, an official Lassen County application and resume’ to:
Lassen County Personnel Department
221 South Roop St., Suite 3
Susanville, CA 96130
GENERAL INFORMATION
Lassen County is an equal opportunity employer hiring employment eligible applicants.
Disabled applicants who require special testing arrangements should contact the Personnel Department prior to the filing deadline.
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, applicants must provide acceptable proof of identity or authorization to work in the United States.
A thorough background investigation will be conducted post-conditional-offer of employment. The investigation may include reference checks, fingerprinting, credit check, driver history and inquiry to local, state and federal files to obtain criminal history information.
All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the selection process.
Selection processes may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: application review, competitive screening, written examination, performance examination, and/or oral examination.
This bulletin is solely for the purpose of announcing a job opening. It does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revised without notice.
For more information please contact the Lassen County Personnel office at (530) 251-8320.
