TOMPKINS COUNTY
ITHACA, NEW YORK
Department County Administration
Classification Exempt
Labor Grade V(92)
Approved 1/1/74
Revised 2/85; 6/91;1/98;12/01; 8/07; 10/07
By
HH, Commissioner of Personnel
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(a)Graduation
from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Business
or Public Administration or a related field and eight years of administrative
and management experience; OR
(b)Graduation
from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree and ten
years of administrative or management experience; OR
( c) Any combination
of training and experience equal to or greater than that described in (a)
and (b) above.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
This is a management position in the County of Tompkins
which carries authority as the Chief Executive Officer and Administrative
Head of the County. The County Administrator has all of the executive
powers and performs all the duties conferred by law upon a county chief
executive officer or head of the administrative branch of county government.
The work involves responsibility for directing the administrative and budgeting
activities of the county, including all county departments. The County
Administrator is appointed by, is directly responsible to, and serves at
the pleasure of the Tompkins County Legislature. Administrative direction
is given to all county department heads and other administrative officials.
The County Administrator appoints and supervises Deputies and other staff
necessary to perform the duties of the office. The incumbent will
perform all related duties as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
The County Administrator is responsible for the overall
administration of county government. He or she provides and coordinates
staff services to the Legislature and the various Legislative committees.
The duties include but are not limited to:
1.Supervise the implementation of policies as determined by the Tompkins County Legislature;
2.Appoint and remove (subject to consultation with and confirmation by the Tompkins County Legislature and in
conformance with Civil Service law) all department heads who are not elected officials, except as otherwise provided
by County Charter;
3.Exercise supervision and control of all departments headed by appointed officials and unify the management of their affairs, subject to applicable provisions of the Tompkins County Charter;
4.Oversee the activities of all County departments as authorized by the Tompkins County Legislature;
5.Obtain estimates of revenue and expenditures from all departments, offices and agencies and prepare, submit and execute an annual budget that promotes the effective, efficient and economical management of appropriate funds;
6.Work with, and coordinate the activities of, various departments and agencies to efficiently implement the directives of the Tompkins County Legislature;
7.Prepare proposals and make recommendations for the Legislature's consideration;
8.Supervise the implementation of contracts for services on behalf of the County.
9.Provide adequate insurance and surety bond coverage and/or administer adequate insurance reserves to protect the County from all reasonable risks of loss or damage;
10.Maintain the County's Administrative Policy Manual which defines the operating policies and procedures of the County;
11.Serve as the Freedom of Information Officer for the County;
12.Advise the Legislature on policy and procedural recommendations which will promote economy, efficiency and a high quality service;
13.Oversee the collective bargaining process in county negotiations with organized employee organizations;
14.Administer, promote and implement the county’s initiatives based on a customer focus, data-based decision
making, team building, and employee involvement;
15.Provide staff support for some Legislative committees;
16.Execute and enforce all resolutions, orders and laws enacted by the Tompkins County Legislature
17.The County Administrator possesses all powers and performs all other duties as may now, or hereafter, be conferred or imposed on the incumbent by the Tompkins County Legislature;
18.Oversee
special projects of the Legislature.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
·Comprehensive knowledge of the practices and procedures of public administration, especially as they relate to
county government in New York State;
·Comprehensive knowledge of the practices and procedures involved in municipal budgeting and accounting;
·Strong written communication skills, including report writing, accounting, and public relations;
·Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to analyze complex problems and propose realistic
solutions in a concise and clear manner;
·Ability to separate technical from policy choices, able to define the implications of those choices for the Legislature;
·Ability to plan, direct and supervise the work of others, while maintaining good working relationships;
·Tact, integrity, attention to detail, an excellent moral character, good judgment, and resourcefulness are all required traits;
·Proven
experience with and commitment to the principles of quality management;
C35.DOC