GovHRUSA
County Administrator, Barry County, MI (pop. 62,581). Barry County is a growing county in a thriving area located at a strategic midpoint between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo in beautiful West Michigan. Barry encompasses 577 square miles. Barry County is known as family-oriented and has excellent schools and Kellogg Community College. The Gilmore Car Museum, Gun Lake, and Barry Expo Center are located within the County. Bountiful natural resources include lakes, the Thornapple River Valley, the unique Thornapple Birding Trail, the 42-mile non-motorized Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail, and related recreational amenities.
The County provides a full range of public services with a combined budget of $67 million. These services include legislative, judicial, public works, public safety, health, welfare, cultural, recreation, transportation, public improvements, and general administration. Barry County has earned an AA bond rating.
The County is comprised of sixteen townships, four villages, and one city. The County seat is in the City of Hastings. The chief legislative and policy-making body of Barry County government is the eight-member Board of Commissioners. Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms from districts that are roughly equal in population. A chair and vice-chair are elected at the first meeting of each new year by the Commissioners. The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners approves the budget. The County Board is responsible for establishing policies, adopting the budget, appointing committee memberships, and hiring the County Administrator.
The County Administrator reports directly to the Board of Commissioners, serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the County, and carries out directives and implements policies of the Board related to the administration of the County. Provides administrative support to the Board and departments. Manages appointed department managers and serves as liaison between department managers and the Board of Commissioners. The position is at-will. The Deputy County Administrator ‐ reports directly to this position. The County Administrator supervises the actions of all appointed department heads to provide the best possible service to the residents of Barry County. (Job Description will be linked here.)
The successful candidate is required to have:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree
- Graduate degree in Business, Public Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field
Experience:
- Five (5) years of administrative/supervisory experience in local government with responsibility for budgeting, personnel, purchasing, and human resources.
- Knowledge of
- Principles and practices of public finance, including principles of fund accounting
- Principles and practices of budget development and control
- Principles and practices of public administration
- Management and supervisory principles and practices
- Principles and practices of media relations and presentation skills
- Legal terminology and court procedures
- Professional experience working with a policymaking board
- Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement and consensus building
- Ability to strategically plan and implement complex and creative operational programs
- Demonstrated integrity of, and accountability for, services provided to the county
- Supervisory experience using collaborative management principles
Preferences:
- Preference to candidates with experience as a County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, City Manager, or an Assistant City Manager in a comparably sized or larger organization
- Residency is not required yet preferred
The compensation range for the position is $125,000 – $160,000, negotiable, DOQ/E. The County offers a generous benefit package that is competitive with the market.
Apply online with résumé, cover letter, and contact information for five professional references (no references will be contacted without prior notice). For questions, contact Ryan Cotton at 847-380-3240 at Ext. 114. The comparative review of resumes will begin on July 1, 2024; position open until filled. Candidates’ applications remain confidential until the semi-finalist stage.
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Posted: 2024-06-14
To apply for this job please visit www.govhrusa.com.
