Chief of Staff

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, political science, public policy, organizational leadership, or related field, and four years of responsible administrative leadership or management experience in the public sector; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks, pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is highly responsible administrative, professional work leading the day-to-day operations of Alachua County government and ensuring the execution of goals and objectives established by the County Commission and County Manager.
An employee assigned to this classification serves as a member of the County Manager's leadership team and functions as an executive partner and strategic coordinator to the County Manager.  The Chief of Staff provides executive-level support in the coordination of County operations, facilitates communication and collaboration among departments, assists in advancing organizational priorities, and supports the effective implementation of initiatives established by the County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners.
Work is performed under the general direction of the County Manager and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.   
Assists the County Manager in the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of strategic initiatives, organizational priorities, operational objectives, and Board-directed programs.
Provides executive-level coordination and support to advance County-wide initiatives, priorities, and special projects involving multiple departments, divisions, offices, governmental agencies, and community partners.
Serves as a strategic advisor to the County Manager by conducting research, policy analysis, organizational assessments, and special projects to support executive decision-making and organizational effectiveness.
Develops and prepares executive-level reports, presentations, briefing materials, correspondence, recommendations, and other communications for the County Manager, County leadership, and the Board of County Commissioners.
Serves as a liaison between the County Manager's Office and County departments, Constitutional Officers, municipalities, state and federal agencies, advisory boards, community organizations, and other governmental and community partners.
Represents the County Manager at meetings, conferences, public events, intergovernmental functions, and other engagements as assigned.
Exercises authority delegated by the County Manager in the coordination, review, and execution of administrative, operational, financial, and personnel matters in accordance with County policies, procedures, and applicable laws.
Coordinates County-wide administrative functions, initiatives, and programs as assigned, including organizational events, employee engagement activities, recognition efforts, emergency preparedness activities, and other executive priorities.
Builds and maintains effective working relationships with County leadership, employees, elected officials, governmental agencies, community organizations, business partners, and members of the public.
Demonstrates leadership consistent with the County's mission, vision, and core values while promoting collaboration, accountability, innovation, and a commitment to excellent customer service.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. 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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of public administration and local government management.
Thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies affecting County operations.
Considerable knowledge of organizational leadership, strategic planning, and performance management principles.
Knowledge of public policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
Knowledge of project and program management principles.
Knowledge of budgeting, governmental administrative practices, and organizational operations.
Strong skills in executive leadership, coordination, and organizational communication.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate complex administrative and operational issues.
Ability to develop recommendations, solutions, and implementation strategies.
Ability to manage and coordinate complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
Ability to facilitate collaboration among diverse groups and organizational teams.
Ability to prepare executive reports, presentations, correspondence, and briefing materials.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making.
Ability to serve as a trusted advisor while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Ability to manage multiple complex priorities and initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, employees, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to interpret and apply County policies, procedures, administrative directives, and applicable laws.
Ability to analyze organizational challenges and develop practical recommendations.
Ability to represent the County Manager and the County in a professional, diplomatic, and effective manner.
Ability to lead organizational initiatives and foster collaboration among various stakeholders.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described 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.

Supplemental Information

Government experience is highly preferred.

Preferred certification(s):  
•Certified Public Manager (CPM)

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future. BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program  

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of Firefighters Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$89,398.40 Annually