Assistant County Manager

Overview

Buncombe County Government is seeking an Assistant County Manager. This position supports a broad portfolio of departments including:
Access and Human Affairs, Communications and Public Engagement, Emergency Services, u, Permits and Inspections, Planning, and Public Safety Communications.

Buncombe County has an average of 1,800 employees serving in roles such as sheriff deputies, nurses, social workers and caseworkers, physicians, librarians, park rangers, emergency medical workers, telecommunications specialists, building and construction inspectors, environmental health inspectors, solid waste staff, agriculture extension agents, soil and water conservationists, air quality specialists, planners, tax assessors and administrators, and other staff delivering services and information to residents.

Buncombe County spans 660 square miles with a population of more than 270,000. Asheville is the county seat with several municipalities and unincorporated areas.

Buncombe County’s governing body is the seven-member Board of Commissioners. The County operates under the County–Manager model. Read about Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder.

Our community was impacted by tropical storms in the region;
Buncombe County is committed to restoring and rebuilding the community and focusing on quality of life for residents. Buncombe 2030 is the next five-year roadmap guiding the County’s work and priorities, with focus areas including Growth and Development, Community Health, Education, Energy and Environment, and Public Safety. Read the draft here.

Our Mission:

• We promote a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community with a sustainable quality of life.

• We provide effective and efficient government our residents can trust.

• We deliver needed service through a responsive workforce committed to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Read more about initiatives, awards, and news here:
Buncombe County website. This position is posted until filled, with a first review of applicants beginning on January 5. The selected candidate will tentatively start work by March 9.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to assist the County Manager in providing overall strategic and administrative leadership and supervision to County departments to ensure proper planning, implementation and direction of Buncombe County services and programs. At the direction of the manager, this position will work with community stakeholders, other governmental units, and departments to facilitate coordination and collaboration for efficient service delivery to residents of Buncombe County.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):

Master’s degree in Public Administration or a closely related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible administrative experience, including five years at a senior management level in local government, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Provide leadership and direction to Department Directors for program development, work with department directors in meeting program standards and the monitoring and evaluation of service delivery; overall coordination and management of budget activities; provide direction to departments for recruitment and retention of qualified staff.

• Facilitate improvements in the provision of services, assist in the development, implementation, and measurement of progress of County-wide objectives. Manage and supervise special projects and task forces.

• Carry out strategic plans, goals and objectives for areas of oversight ensuring alignment with the County mission, goals and objectives.

• Represent the County Manager in the absence of or at the direction of the Manager.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations and procedures to ensure compliance.

• Knowledge of public administration, county government operations, organizations, procedures, and policies.

• Knowledge of internal controls and ability to identify problems and changing requirements.

• Knowledge of organizational management principles,…