Basic Function
Ramsey County is hiring a Deputy County Manager to lead the Safety and Justice Service Team.
This position requires an individual with a unique blend of leadership skills, strategic and analytical thinking, superior communication skills, and an ability to foster positive relationships with leaders of all levels, elected officials and community to:
- Assist the County Manager in managing and administering the operational and service delivery affairs of the county and carrying out the policies of the County Board.
- Provide executive leadership across the organization and oversight in the strategic priorities, planning, development, management, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of multiple complex functions of one of four service teams of the county organization.
- Ensure service teams have effective leadership, understand the strategic direction within and between the county service teams, and achieve countywide board goals.
- Improve county service alignment and performance through innovation and process improvement and through building effective cross departmental and interagency work teams.
- Champion the County’s mission, vision, goals, and uphold the core values of our organization.
Applicants should respond promptly as initial screening of resumes will begin on January 22nd, 2023. Resume and cover letter are required.
Ramsey County's operational departments are organized in a Service Team structure to improve service delivery for residents, create efficiencies, and support strategic priorities. Service Teams include Economic Growth and Community Investment, Health and Wellness, Information and Public Records, and Safety and Justice. A Deputy County Manager is assigned to each service team.
Deputy County Managers work with the County Manager, elected officials, senior leaders across the organization and members of the community to establish visions and implementation plans that leverage the interdepartmental opportunities associated with the organization's Service Team structure. Recognizing that residents and businesses frequently experience county systems and programs in an overlapping fashion, Deputy County Managers seek to remove established barriers to integrated service delivery and develop county approaches that will recognize, support, and enhance the unique skills, abilities, and experiences of every individual engaging with Ramsey County.
Issue area expertise, knowledge and experience is an asset in this position, but Deputy County Managers must be equally skilled in understanding, leading and embedding equity, authentically engaging the community in program and policy development, leveraging budgeting and performance management as tools to drive and sustain organizational excellence, and in building collaborative working teams that engage staff at all levels of the organization.
Deputy County Managers also lead countywide projects of importance that require leadership over areas not specifically linked to the Service Team that they oversee. The successful candidate will leverage the same skills and experience described above to make progress on countywide efforts, while also creating opportunities to develop the skills and support leadership development of staff that are participating in the countywide work. This position reports to the County Manager and Deputy County Managers may act on behalf of the County Manager in the absence of the County Manager.
The current Deputy County Manager vacancy is assigned to the Safety and Justice Service Team which is includes:
- Office of Safety and Justice
- County Attorney’s Office
- Emergency Communications Center
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- Medical Examiner’s Office
- Sheriff’s Office
- The Service Team also provides support functions for the Second Judicial District Court, primarily defense attorneys in child protection and civil commitment proceedings.
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader).
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Applicants should respond promptly as initial screening of resumes will begin on January 22nd, 2023. Resume and cover letter are required.
Ramsey County's operational departments are organized in a Service Team structure to improve service delivery for residents, create efficiencies, and support strategic priorities. Service Teams include Economic Growth and Community Investment, Health and Wellness, Information and Public Records, and Safety and Justice. A Deputy County Manager is assigned to each service team.
Deputy County Managers work with the County Manager, elected officials, senior leaders across the organization and members of the community to establish visions and implementation plans that leverage the interdepartmental opportunities associated with the organization's Service Team structure. Recognizing that residents and businesses frequently experience county systems and programs in an overlapping fashion, Deputy County Managers seek to remove establis
The current Deputy County Manager vacancy is assigned to the Safety and Justice Service Team which is includes:
- Office of Safety and Justice
- County Attorney’s Office
- Emergency Communications Center
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- Medical Examiner’s Office
- Sheriff’s Office
- The Service Team also provides support functions for the Second Judicial District Court, primarily defense attorneys in child protection and civil commitment proceedings.
This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Please read below for further instructions.
Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."
Interested candidates should apply by completing the online application and attaching a resume and cover letter detailing their experience including the size of the organization(s) and scope of responsibilities.
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader).
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin. Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of our workforce.
To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader). You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
For questions regarding this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition Supervisor Jessica Damm at jessica.damm@co.ramsey.mn.us
Responsibilities
Deputy County Managers work with the County Manager, elected officials, senior leaders across the organization and members of the community to establish visions and implementation plans that leverage the interdepartmental opportunities associated with the organization's Service Team structure. Recognizing that residents and businesses frequently experience county systems and programs in an overlapping fashion, Deputy County Managers seek to remove established barriers to integrated service delivery and develop county approaches that will recognize, support, and enhance the unique skills, abilities, and experiences of every individual engaging with Ramsey County.
Issue area expertise, knowledge and experience is an asset in this position, but Deputy County Managers must be equally skilled in understanding, leading and embedding equity, authentically engaging the community in program and policy development, leveraging budgeting and performance management as tools to drive and sustain organizational excellence, and in building collaborative working teams that engage staff at all levels of the organization.
Deputy County Managers also lead countywide projects of importance that require leadership over areas not specifically linked to the Service Team that they oversee. The successful candidate will leverage the same skills and experience described above to make progress on countywide efforts, while also creating opportunities to develop the skills and support leadership development of staff that are participating in the countywide work. This position reports to the County Manager and Deputy County Managers may act on behalf of the County Manager in the absence of the County Manager.
Examples of Work Performed
- Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
- Provide executive leadership, oversight and direction to departments in assigned service team and integrate various functional areas. Direct the operations, planning, and implementation of programs; monitor and evaluate program performance and recommend/implement needed improvements.
- Identify and seize opportunities to transform the county and achieve outcomes aligned with the County Board’s vision, mission and goals. Lead staff and build a culture that supports innovation and creativity.
- Anticipate future trends, assess the impact of issues and approach them with a systems and county-wide perspective.
- Identify and break through county-wide administrative, programmatic, cultural, political and resource barriers that impede excellence. Assess county needs and develop plans and implementation strategies for the delivery of programs and services to ensure that intended outcomes are consistent with the overall goals of the county.
- Help shape county-wide strategic planning, priorities and budget as a member of the County’s executive leadership team.
- Assist in the development of budget documents that align the work of departments within service teams toward accomplishment of County Board goals and federal and state mandates. Lead preparation of budget for service team; oversee operating and capital expenditures.
- Provide leadership and strategic direction and represent Ramsey County before federal, state, regional and local government units.
- Develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners and other organizations.
- Ensure strategic coordination between the service team and the County Manager’s Office and County Board. Lead departments in development of requests for board action and County Board policy discussions and workshops, including advising and assisting departments with presentations.
- Lead inter-departmental and inter-agency work teams to improve county service integration and performance.
- Design, plan, direct, and implement county-wide special initiatives or projects.
- Develop, recommend, and implement county-wide administrative policies and procedures and advise departments on county policy interpretation.
- Assist in the coordination of county-wide leadership meetings, including but not limited to, the senior management team, county-wide leadership team, and supervisory and divisional leadership.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
SUPERVISORY/MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Directly manage approximately seven to ten senior county leaders and may indirectly manage up to 2,000 staff in departments within the service team.
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Daily contact with the County Manager, other Deputy County Managers, executive and senior leaders, department directors, and elected officials or their assistants to discuss issues and provide consultation, advice, direction, and gather/provide information for further assessment and planning; to provide leadership on county-wide initiatives and to resolve issues and conflicts. Weekly contact with representatives of other jurisdictions to establish and maintain relationships, to confer and consult, and to promote the county’s interests; and with civic and business organizations and the public, to seek and obtain information, to make presentations, to establish and maintain relationships, and to promote the county’s interests.
IMPACT ON SERVICES/OPERATIONS:
Impacts on the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of county services through establishing an integrated service model that enhances service levels internally and externally to the county; county-wide policies, leading assigned county-wide operations, providing advice to the County Manager on matters of county-wide significance, organizing and staffing intra- and inter-governmental project work teams, and having full authority to act in the absence of the County Manager. Achieves operational excellence and compliance in mandated and statutory services. Proper performance will result in enhanced quality of life of residents through provision of efficient, effective, and equitable county services. Poor performance would result in poor quality and ineffective county services and operations, the waste of public funds and a negative image by the public.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an office environment with use of a computer 4-6 hours daily. Travel to meetings away from the regular place of work is required; may involve evening meetings.
Qualifications
An ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:
1. Leadership
- Commit to the vision, mission, and values [link] of the Service Team and the County by fully supporting the department and County goals. [link]
- Apply executive leadership experience and ability to quickly learn operations and goals of a multifaceted service team, identify links between departments and service teams, and identify opportunities, challenges, and risks.
- Collaborate, establish, and strengthen partnerships and build consensus with elected officials, governing boards, appointed leaders, staff, community stakeholders and other public, private, and nonprofit organizational partners.
- Lead with a high level of integrity, ethics, and values.
- Build trust and a trusting environment by leading by example, displaying honest and ethical behavior in all interactions, ensure that actions and words are consistent, and following through on commitments.
- Lead with adaptability, and accountability and encourage creativity and innovation in service delivery.
- Set expectations, delegate responsibilities, trust the leadership and abilities of individuals on their team to achieve results, while being accessible to problem solve and provide counsel.
- Commit to partnership with organized labor and its representatives to achieve the County's vision, mission, and goals.
2. Motivational
- Create, communicate, and advance a compelling and inspired vision and sense of purpose that will motivate individuals and positively influence the current and future state of Ramsey County.
- Hire, identify, and develop exceptional organizational leaders and productive workforce while appreciating the benefits of work-life balance for the organization and individuals.
- Foster an inclusive work environment in which individuals collaborate in pursuit of a common mission and shared goals, promote innovation, change, and problem solving, and provide opportunities for staff to grow resulting in high morale and positive teamwork.
3. Systems and Analytical Thinking
- Contribute to the development and leadership of the strategic direction of Ramsey County, connecting the work of all service teams to the County's strategic priorities to achieve the desired results.
- Formulate and implement organization-wide work and build cross departmental teams, identifying and eliminating artificial boundaries impacting departments and providers of County programs to ensure maximum effectiveness for users.
- Understand, analyze, prepare and manage a large complex comprehensive budget, including revenue forecasting.
4. Community Engagement and Racial Equity
- Apply knowledge and understanding of race-based disparities and the impact of these disparities on the development of a community, social justice, corrective justice, socio-economic statuses, and the affects to overall safety and justice of populations.
- Work tenaciously to eliminate race-based disparities and fostering a welcoming culture that engages the broad diversity of the community and ensures racial equity for populations engaged and served.
- Create a diverse, successful workforce in a large organization and respect for the diversity of customers and county employees, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may not be English.
5. Decision Making and Problem Solving
- Facilitate creative problem-solving, recognize positive results, manage conflict, and negotiate satisfactory outcomes.
- Oversee and direct multiple and simultaneous projects that have the highest organizational and community impact, and which may have changing priorities and require adjustments mid-stream.
- Use the County and Service Team's strategic direction to inform the development, preparation, and implementation of the biennial budget and performance measurement process.
6. Communication
- Listen, speak, write, present, facilitate, and interact in an effective and persuasive manner and diffuse difficult situations and manage conflict appropriately with public and private individuals and groups, large and small
- Produce timely, accurate, and easily understood information to ensure effective communication with the intended audience.
- Cultivate effective relationships and communication with federal, state, regional and local governmental officials, and external agencies.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Master's degree in public policy, political science, public administration, public affairs, liberal arts or a related field.
Experience: Eight years of progressively responsible experience in public administration or business administration which includes a minimum of four years governmental experience at a managerial level.
Substitution: A Bachelor’s degree in one of the areas listed above and an additional two years of experience may substitute for the required Master’s degree.
Ramsey County
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota 55102
US
