Salary: $60.57 - $63.84 Hourly
Location : Douglas County Superior, WI
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: ADMN2025-01
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 08/11/2025
Closing Date: 9/1/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description Douglas County's Administrator serves as the chief administrative officer for Douglas County Government, created pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 59.18. The incumbent serving in this role will also be responsible for the following:
- Leadership and oversight of personnel functions.
- Providing leadership and direction to the County for strategic planning and goal setting, as well as exercising consideration, initiative, independent judgment, and authority to supervise department managers to accomplish goals and meet and develop county standards and objectives.
- Working under the direction of the Douglas County Board, principally through the County Board Chairperson and Administration Committee. The position is responsible to the Douglas County Board.
- Note: Under the County Administrator form of government, county boards and boards or commissions are expected to concentrate on policy matters, whereas administration of county government is the responsibility of the County Administrator.
- Coordinating and directing all administrative and management functions except those vested by law in boards or commissions or elected officers.
Essential Duties Douglas County is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.
General Supervision - Takes care that every county ordinance, state or federal law is observed, enforced or administered if the ordinance or law is subject to enforcement by the county administrator or by a person supervised by the county administrator.
- Evaluates department managers' performance in accordance withthe County Performance Evaluation Process, making recommendations for reclassification, merit increases, or performance improvement plans; has removal authority over any department manager that he/she has the power to appoint.
Policy Implementation - Executes the orders of the County Board and supervises compliance thereof. Directs and coordinates all administrative/management functions of county government assuring compliance of Federal, State and local laws, for all administrative policies and procedures not otherwise vested by law in boards or commissions, or in elected officials.
- Appoints, subject to County Board confirmation, members of boards and commissions in all cases where the law provides.
Budget Management - Prepares and submits an annual budget to the County Board and monitors department spending throughout the budget cycle identifying needs for adjustments based upon expenditure levels.
- Supervisesthe Finance Department in the coordination, preparation, andsubmission of the annual County budget. Present the budget in concert with the Finance Director to the AdministrationCommittee and County Board. Works on other related finance issues such as bonding, possession, purchasing properties, building projects, etc. Develops and monitors the Department budget by reviewing past expenditure, projectingfuture needs and determining goals and objectives.
- Makes recommendations forbudget revision to the County Board.
Personnel Management - Evaluates the staffing needs of all County departments, ensuring appropriate staffing levels are met. The County Administrator may appoint the necessary administrative support staff as the County Board authorizes to assist the duties of the department.
- Supervises personnel matters and labor relations by establishing negotiation, compensation and benefit strategies, reviewing and authorizing the filling ofvacant positions and supervising the human resource functions and staff.
Interdepartmental Coordination - Works with the County Board and County departments to identify, develop, and implement goals for strategic planning to accomplish established County objectives. Manages various programs and projects for the County.
- Develops and maintains a close working relationship with department managers to ensure that department goals and objectives are met. Meet with and provide assistance to department managers in the preparation of their respective budgets
Public Relations - Provides administrative leadership of intergovernmental programs related to mergers or partnerships with the City of Superiorand other units of local government. Represents the County's interest in behalf of intergovernmental relationships with other governmental agencies and community-based organizations.
- Meets with taxpayers and addresses concerns, complaints and suggestions of taxpayers. Hears, discusses and investigates citizen and other complaints.
Strategic Planning - Attends County Board meetings. Serves as the resource person to the County Board and committees. Conducts research, prepares materials, and does presentations as required or requested to committees and/or general public. Serves as an ex-officio member of standing committees and attends meetings when necessary.
- On at least an annual basis, submits a report to the County Board on the condition of the county with related recommendations.
Appointment and Supervision - Appoints, subject to County Board confirmation, and supervises all department managers, except elected department managers.
- Provides guidance to subordinate managers and supervisors in the implementation of policies and procedures to accomplish established departmental objectives.
Community and Intergovernmental Relations - Works with city officials, business and professional leaders, town & village representatives, and various groups on community development, consolidations, inter-governmental relationships, and other such projects. Proposes changes that will contribute to the efficiency, productive and overall improvement of County operations.
Additional Responsibilities - Assists the County Board Chairperson and County Clerk in the preparation of County Board agendas.
- Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications - Credential:
- Required: Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, finance, or a related field of study;
- Preferred: Master's degree in public administration, business administration, finance, or a related field of study;
- Experience Required:
- Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in governmental administration
- Other local government experience, and experience in advising and assisting governing boards, is highly preferred.
Supplemental Information Required Knowledge and Competencies - Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, ensuring understanding and conveying information accurately.
- Collaborates effectively with colleagues, contributes to group efforts, and fosters a cooperative and supportive work environment to achieve common goals.
- Takes responsibility for actions and decisions, follows through on commitments, and ensures tasks are completed accurately and on time.
- Takes proactive steps to address opportunities and challenges, shows a strong drive to achieve results, and goes above and beyond.
- Makes informed and timely decisions, evaluates options thoroughly, and takes responsibility for outcomes.
- Demonstrates a strong desire to achieve goals, seeks continuous improvement, and strives for excellence in all endeavors.
- Identifies and addresses conflicts promptly, mediates disputes, and fosters a collaborative environment.
- Demonstrates a strong awareness of safety protocols, promotes a safe work environment, and ensures compliance with safety regulations.
- Shows tolerance for different perspectives, remains patient and open-minded, and fosters an inclusive environment.
- Principles and practices of local County government operations and administration.
- Organizational forms, operating methods, and procedures of local government.
- Local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding all employment practices.
- Budget preparation and various funding resources and allocations.
- Research methods and techniques for improvement in organizational structure, operational efficiencies, and government services delivery.
- Methods and techniques of supervision.
- Human Resource management practices such as supervision, hiring, training, delegation, and discipline.
- Labor negotiation process, contract interpretation, grievance, and arbitration handling.
- Compensation and performance review systems.
Required Abilities - Leadership and management ability to coordinate diverse groups and tasks;
- Ability to be a visionary and creative in a key management role;
- Planning, developing, and implementing policies and procedures with internal and external groups;
- Overseeing a full range of human resource functions;
- Excellent oral and written communication, including presentation skills, and persuasive communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with County Board Members, other municipal officials, union negotiators, coworkers, staff, the general public, media, etc., sufficient to exchange or convey information and give and receive work direction;
- Computer programs - applications for budgeting, accounting, and office environment functions. Familiarity with the financial enterprise resource planning system (ERP), iSeries applications, Word, Excel, and Windows-based applications is desirable, but not required;
- Research and Report preparation;
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with board members, staff, outside agency representatives, and the public;
- Team building, facilitating, and negotiating.
Working Conditions The working environment for this position is an office setting, with the majority of work being sedentary and requiring sitting for long periods of time. This position may be required to attend training or other events within the community and may, as a result, require walking or driving to and from locations, possibly in inclement weather conditions.
Physical Requirements While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects weighing five to ten pounds. Tasks may involve extended periods at a keyboard or workstation.
Health Insurance After 30 days of employment
(Employee pays 15% of premium)
Single, or Employee + 1 or Family options
Contact Human Resources for further info Dental Insurance After 30 days of employment
(Employee pays 15% of premium)
Single, or Employee + 1 or Family options
Contact Human Resources for further info Life Insurance After 6 months of employment
Basic: 1 times your annual salary (County Paid)
Supplemental: 2 times your annual salary (Employee Paid)
Additional: 3 to 5 times your annual salary (Employee Paid)
Optional spousal and dependent life insurance (Employee Paid)
$4,000 Life Insurance Policy (County Paid)
Wisconsin Retirement:
Employer and Employee contributions to Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS are regulated by the State of Wisconsin. Contributions are paid according to current year rates set by WRS Employee Trust Fund. Refer to for further detail.
Mission Square/Nationwide Retirement Services Deferred Compensation Accounts for public employees.
Pre-Tax Plan:
Flexible Benefit Plan Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) (Helps employees reduce their taxable income by "setting aside" dollars spent on dependent daycare expenses).
Vacation:
Vacation is accumulated on a monthly basis. Newly hired employees will accrue vacation from their date of hire, but are not eligible to take vacation until successful completion of four months of their employment.
Sick Time:
Sick time accumulates at 1 day per month up to 120 days.
Employee Assistance Program:
(EAP) is confidential, professional help with personal matters. (County Paid)
Long Term Disability After 30 days of employment.
Short Term Disability After 30 days of employment (At Employee Expense).
Holidays 10 Paid Holidays per year.*
Personal Holidays 3 1/2 per year *
*With the exception of those specific services which operate on a 24-hour basis. Contact Douglas County Human Resources for further info.
01
Please indicate your highest level of education
- Master's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
- Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
- None of the above
02
Please indicate the level (Bachelor's or Master's), and the specific field of study of your degree here.
03
Do you possess a valid driver's license?
04
Please detail your experience in executive leadership as it relates to the duties of this position. Please include information on any financial, legal, or human resources functions.
05
Please detail your experience participating in budgetary processes.
06
Please detail your experience collaborating with diverse groups of stakeholders. Include examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding of information.
07
Do you possess experience in advising or working with County Boards and/or Commissions?
08
If you selected "Yes" to the question above, please detail your specific experience in advising or working with County Boards and/or Commissions here. If no experience, please indicate "none".
Required Question
