Human Resources

Assistant County Manager



ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER
 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is an important administrative position involving the responsibility of assisting the County Manager in the implementation of the mission of the County Government.  The incumbent in this position has direct administration of assigned supervisory responsibilities.  The work is carried out under the administrative direction of the County Manager with established policies and objectives.  Considerable latitude is given for the exercise of independent judgment.  The incumbent in this position must exercise a high degree of confidentiality.  Does related work, as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Acts in place of the County Manager in his/her absence;

Assumes major administrative functions on an as needed basis including, but not limited to, general oversight of the Pre-School Handicapped Children's Program and STOP-DWI Program.

Assists in the preparation of the Operating and Capital Budgets of the County, and evaluates the County's fiscal position in relation to the budget during the course of the year;

Performs Risk Management functions in conjunction with the County Attorney and the County Self Insurance Committee as follows:

  • Continually determines all casual risks of loss to which the County's assets are exposed, and analyzes such risks to determine whether they can be eliminated or minimized;
  • Recommends the types and amounts of insurance to be purchased by the County and oversees the procurement process, negotiating insurance programs to obtain the most favorable coverage and cost items;
  • Checks rates to obtain benefits of experience rating provisions;
  • Checks insurance invoices and recommends distribution of costs throughout the County;
  • Administers underwriting functions of self-insurance/liability programs and coordinates commercial insurance and self-insurance programs;
  • Maintains liaison between underwriters and the County on matters of safety and security, and arranges for inspection tours of the County properties by insurance representatives;
  • Oversees the liability of self-insurance/liability program including claims management, record keeping, setting of reserves, recommendations to the insurance committee for settlement and litigation, negotiating adjustments of insured and uninsured losses with insurers and County employees under the direction of the County Attorney;
  • Contacts State insurance departments, insurance companies and brokers as required;
  • Recommends policies with a view to reducing insurance costs and losses, formulating general safety policies and measures to be followed by the County; 
  • Identifies, develops and coordinates appropriate training programs which will increase proficiency in safe practices, promote safety consciousness and reduce risks;
  • Prepares studies and analyses of accidents, causes and hazards to health for presentation to proper authority;
  • Inspects County facilities to detect existing or potential accident and health hazards and recommends corrective or preventive measures, where indicated;
  • Consults with all departments on design and use of equipment, shops, fire prevention and safety programs;
  • Works in conjunction with the County Manager and Human Resource Director in the oversight of the County's health insurance programs for costs, levels of service and self-insured retention;
  • Reviews all contracts and leases entered into by the County for adequacy of insurance coverage and risk assessment;
  • Notifies insurance carriers of changes in programs or property and equipment affecting insurance coverage;
  • Serves as coordinator of County safety committees and accident review committees.

Undertakes research and analysis of policy issues under consideration by the County and prepares recommendations;

Prepares reports on various County Management issues and functional activities as directed;

Works in conjunction with and coordinates the activities of the various units of the County Government including, but not  limited to Criminal Justice Agencies, Human Services Agencies, Risk Management, Purchasing, and Housing Assistance, etc.;

Assists the County Manager in implementing the goals and objectives of the County Legislature;

Assists in the coordination and conduct of Collective Bargaining;

Reports to the County Legislature upon request by the County Manager.

The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND/OR PERSONAL

CHARACTERISTICS:  Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and Local Government Laws and Regulations; thorough knowledge of principals and practices of County Government; good knowledge of Collective Bargaining practices; good communication skills, both written and verbal; initiative and resourcefulness; ability to project costs and revenues and evaluate financial trends; ability to evaluate an issue, conduct necessary research and develop alternative solution; ability to work well with the general public,  staff members and representatives of other agencies; Must maintain a non-partisan/apolitical professional status while holding this position aside from registered voter status.  Must be a creative problem solver with a positive, energetic and “Get it Done” spirit; ability to comprehend complex written and oral instructions. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to walk, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristicsdescribed here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of education, AND EITHER:

A.        Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered College with a Master's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or closely related field and two (2) years of full-time paid experience in a responsible governmental administrative position;

OR:

B.        Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered College with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or closely related field and four (4) years of full-time paid experience in a responsible governmental administrative position.

 

PART-TIME, PAID EXPERIENCE WILL BE PRO-RATED AS APPROPRIATE.

*     Preferred – prior experience as a public Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Assistant/Deputy CAO or as a Department head within a complex public organization.

**   Preferred – ICMA member in good standing.

 
Pending Class         4/2/03

Non-Competitive Class – Approved 11/19/07