Stafford County, VA - Deputy County Administrator

The Community

Education

Stafford County Virginia is ideally located along the Interstate 95 corridor just 40 miles south of Washington D.C. and 50 miles north of Richmond. The County has a diverse population of over 164000 residents and ranks as the third fastest growing county in Virginia while also standing out as one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. The County continues to experience growth in its diversity and continues the effort to ensure the communitys future needs remain a priority. Stafford has a wide variety of living choices including waterfront golf club communities gated communities suburban country and active adult communities.

Medical Care

Stafford County is a flourishing community that continues to achieve all that our residents businesses and visitors have come to imagine. Stafford is a great place to call home from its early beginnings that are deep-rooted in our nations history to the evolution into a progressive and well-designed locality. It places the citizens first ensuring that our home is always welcoming and our businesses continue to prosper.

Transportation

Staffords Smart Growth Strategy leads with a comprehensive transportation system resulting in safe and efficient travel for residents businesses and visitors. This approach also includes efforts to preserve and provide access to the Countys vast inventory of natural and historic resources including distinctive historical sites forests and wetlands along the Potomac River Potomac Creek Aquia Creek and the Rappahannock River. These efforts protect thousands of acres of public parklands for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

Recreation

Founded in 1664 the County has strong connections to events that shaped the nations history. Most notably the Countys prosperous iron industry attracted Augustine Washington and his family including a six-year-old son named George to Ferry Farm in Stafford. The future president spent his formative years there until he reached young adulthood.

The Economy

During the Civil War Stafford served as a logistical and transportation center for both northern and southern forces.

The Organization

Stafford County has an overall budget of $896 million and 1350 employees support this community. The organization promotes and values leadership at all levels that empowers and engages employees in decision-making processes.

Through a performance management system the organization focuses on developing its employees by allowing them to grow and advance within the organization.

The organization has adopted six key values that are integrated into the organization and support the community and each other: customer first stronger together infinite possibilities ardent learners unwavering respect and proactive ownership. The established Executive Leadership Team of the organization guides its work through a charter. The team promotes high performance continuously throughout the organization. They foster and help develop an organization that strategically plans for and adapts to a changing community creating a supportive work environment and championing a culture of excellence.

The County of Stafford operates under a traditional Board-Administrator form of government with a seven-member elected Board of Supervisors serving as the legislative body of the local government with each member serving a four (4) year staggered term. The Board is responsible for enacting laws setting policies approving the budget for county services and appointing citizens to several boards authorities and commissions. The County Administrator is appointed by the Board and serves at the pleasure of the Board carrying out the Boards adopted policies directing business procedures and overseeing day-to-day operations and activities of all County departments. The County has demonstrated sound financial management as recognized in their Triple-AAA Bond rating from all three rating agencies where they join only 48 localities across the country with this distinction.

The Board of Supervisors established the Stafford County 2040 plan a strategic plan focusing on Multimodal Infrastructure and Transportation a Vibrant Community Quality Educational and Wellness Opportunities a Dedicated and Responsive Public Safety Team Economic Diversification Organizational Excellence and Growth Management for Community Sustainability. The strategic plan along with the Countys five-year financial plan and Comprehensive Plan is a road map for the organization in meeting the needs of a growing community. The County is invested in and engaged with a governance philosophy that is fiscally efficient in delivering core services responsive to the ever-changing needs of this multi-dimensional community.

Organizational Vision

Through a culture of enthusiasm creativity and continuous improvement we serve to make a difference.

Organizational Values

Proactive Ownership

We take initiative and act on the belief that our everyday efforts no matter how small will have far-reaching effects on the entire organization.

Infinite Possibilities

We encourage imagination opportunities and solutions in our delivery of service.

Customer First

We value respect and listen to both our internal and external customers. We take responsibility in our words and in our actions to create a positive experience for all.

Stronger Together

We expect and encourage participation and collaboration every day.

Ardent Learners

We are committed to continuous learning and growth opportunities.

Unwavering Respect

We value and appreciate each other.

Stafford County Organizational Chart

The Position

Stafford County is a high-performing local government organization that maintains a culture embracing inclusion and inspiring individual and organizational excellence. Stafford County is actively seeking applicants for the position of Deputy County Administrator. The specific responsibilities of this role will be determined on the candidates qualifications skills and experience. The selected candidate provides strategic direction to assigned departments and acts as a liaison between the County Administrator and department directors.

The desired candidate will demonstrate an extensive knowledge of sound management practices and promote leadership at all levels by empowering others to be resourceful and engage in the decision-making process.

Skills Abilities and Past Performance

Leadership Ability

Stafford County is seeking:

• A confident disciplined leader who embodies integrity and humility
• A collaborative leader who is adaptable in a dynamic environment
• A leader who effectively navigates complex political environments and significant county-wide challenges with adaptability resilience and exceptional communication skills
• A discerning leader adept at navigating the dynamics with elected officials and exercising astute judgment in information management.
• An emotionally intelligent problem-solver who practices tactical empathy in decision-making processes
• A mentor who develops staff and strives for organizational resilience
• A balanced leader who accepts complete ownership while creating a culture of respect trust and initiative
• An independent and self-sufficient professional capable of operating effectively without dedicated support
• A strategic leader who influences and optimizes workflows and team performance

Administrative Ability

Ability to conduct a wide range of County administrative responsibilities in a manner that exemplifies the highest professional standards and reflects positively on the County its goals and values. Policy and procedure development experience that organizes processes and diminishes misunderstandings is highly desired. Must be able to develop effective working relationships with County department heads Constitutional Officers and independent agencies and commissions by articulating clear expectations and ensuring interdepartmental coordination on issues. Excellent communication skills are necessary including the ability to listen and communicate with the County Administrator Board and staff members but also the ability to have direct and personable communications with citizens a quality which Stafford County employees are known for. It is expected for the Deputy County Administrator to interact face-to-face with staff setting the example and helping the County retain a small town feel and superior customer service.

County Administrator Relations

Ability to work as a trusted team member while maintaining an open and honest dialogue in conjunction with developing issues serving as an individual who has the courage to broach difficult questions when needed. Strong Supporter of adopted policies who shared the Countys vision with others and works in concert with the Administrators team to realize that vision.

Professional Skills and Management Style

• Extensive knowledge of sound management practices with strong knowledge of budget development and implementation
• Ability to see the big picture and develop long range strategies
• Strong human relations skills
• Technologically savvy
• Excellent presentation skills including the ability to explain technical issues in everyday language to a wide variety of audiences
• Responsive to requests from citizens
• Hard working self-starter who takes initiative and accomplishes directives with minimal supervision
• Servant leader focused on delivery of quality services to all citizens
• Creative problem-solving and strong negotiation skills
• Fair and consistent in interpreting and applying policies ordinances and regulations

Education and Experience

Successful candidates will show an ongoing commitment to professional development through an advanced degree in public or business administration or a related field or relevant certifications such as a designation as an ICMA Credentialed Manager or similar. A minimum of five years of public or private sector management experience as chief or deputy chief administrative officer of a comparably sized community or organization is desired. The individuals experience must demonstrate familiarity with a broad range of local government operations; candidates with strong demonstrated executive leadership abilities and transferable skills applicable to overseeing external operations will be considered. Additional experience in a responsible management-level public or private sector position with greater experience is beneficial. Experience working in a fast-paced growing community or organization and successfully balancing a wide range of services is an important consideration.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Deputy County Administrator position is $200000-$265000 negotiable based upon the qualifications of the successful candidate. Benefits include but are not limited to participation in the Virginia Retirement System; medical dental and vision; group life and disability insurances; vacation administrative holiday and sick leave; employee assistance program; professional dues and conference expenses. Read more about benefits here.

Stafford County values a culture of diverse perspectives and life experiences. The organization embraces innovation collaboration and continuous learning offering job stability and an opportunity to serve and support the growing community. Stafford County is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to an inclusive workforce.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at . Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning October 2 2025.

Please direct questions to Anne Lewis at or or Niayla Hairston at .

For more information about Stafford County visit the Countys website here.

RECRUITMENT BROCHURE

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority