DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE

ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK IS ACCEPTING RESUMES FROM QUALIFIED PERSONS FOR THE POSITION OF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE

 POSITION IN BRIEF:
Executive management position in the Office of the County Executive, responsible for a specific portfolio of County departments, boards and commissions.
One of three Deputy County Executive positions, this position will have a particular focus on the Green Economy, Workforce Development, and Climate Resilience, together with general managerial and operational responsibilities, and will help ensure an integrated County approach to the climate, equity, and sustainability goals of the County Executive.
ULSTER COUNTY:
Ulster County sits at the heart of the fertile Hudson Valley region, with the Hudson River on its eastern edge, the Catskills in the north and west of the county, and the Shawangunk Ridge in the southeast, and is a convenient distance to both New York City and Albany. It is geographically the size of Rhode Island with approximately 180,000 residents. The county seat is Kingston, which was the first capital of New York. Ulster County is rich in scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities and is home to award-winning academic institutions (SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Ulster), a diversity of small farms, and a vibrant arts, makers, and music community that includes Woodstock, NY. Locals enjoy the many breweries and cider houses as well the many hiking trails and other outdoor activities such as farmer’s markets and craft fairs.
The County government currently employs approximately 1,300 full-time employees and has a 2022 budget of approximately $352.9 million dollars.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Under the direction of the County Executive, this position serves in an executive capacity to organize and manage staff activities to maximize staff productivity in the implementation of policy guidelines, and to ensure an integrated County approach to mitigating climate change, adapting to its impacts, and incorporating equity and sustainability into the County’s operations, programs, and initiatives. Work involves highly sensitive issues requiring tact, discretion, and responsiveness to the philosophy and public mission of the County Executive in dealing with executive-level public officials, elected officials, representatives of the business community, the press, constituents and others. Assignments can be in the staff operational areas of intergovernmental relations, public affairs, administration, or government operations. Direct managerial control is exercised by this position over a wide variety of staff operations in the area of assignment, including environment, housing, planning, public transportation, economic and workforce development, and others.
Examples of the position’s responsibilities include:
-Consults with County Executive on current issues and operational objectives;
-Works as a team member with Executive staff;
-Provides responsive policy guidance and recommendations to County Executive which enhances operational efficiency;
-Acts as the County Executive's personal representative with members of the Ulster County Legislature and relevant committees, public and elected officials, the business community, the press and constituents, in resolving issues or planning objectives;
-Ensures effective coordination of overall and specific county activities through engaging in consultation with executive level staff of the Office of the County Executive;
-Follows through on policy and legislative changes or proposals required to implement operational objectives and directives of the County Executive;
-Proposes and manages organizational structure consistent with policy direction, and/or legislation consistent with policy;
-Directs and manages internal staff operations in areas of assignment to ensure the implementation of policy and operational directives;
-Hires, motivates, supervises, disciplines and is otherwise responsible for staff operations, completed staff reports, reassignment or disposition of personnel allocated to this defined function;
-Consults with the other Deputy County Executives, Budget Director, County Attorney, Personnel Officer and/or Commissioner of Finance and others as needed regarding major changes or functional modifications within County government to enhance the delivery of efficient County services prior to seeking approval of the County Executive and legislative endorsement;
-Advocates policy and position of the County Executive;
-Manages and maintains policy and procedure for staff response to public and legislative inquiries;
-Attends internal and external affairs as assigned by the County Executive or as deemed pertinent by the position incumbent.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Understanding of County and local government structures.
Thorough knowledge of effective methods for addressing greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability, and related challenges.
Ability to supervise a combination of professional, technical and clerical personnel.
A leadership style that incorporates diversity, inclusion and equity, and enhances county implementation of these concepts within their purview.
Ability to work as a team member of an Executive team.
Ability to build good working relationships with others to coordinate efforts and move actions forward.
Ability to communicate effectively orally, in writing and in public speaking settings.
Ability to negotiate effectively.
Ability to analyze complex public issues and develop suggested position consistent with mission of the County Executive.
Ability to follow through on addressing issues to successful completion in a timely manner.
Possesses tact, honesty and integrity.
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
A. Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Management, Sustainable Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field with 5+ years of full-time paid work experience related to climate solutions and the green economy OR
B. Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Business Administration or Management, Public Administration, or a closely related field and 10+ years of full-time paid work experience related to climate solutions and the green economy.
IF COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IS INDICATED; TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AND SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. A CANDIDATE LACKING THE REQUIRED TRANSCRIPTS WILL RECEIVE A CONDITIONAL APPROVAL PENDING THE RECEIPT OF TRANSCRIPTS.
Special Requirement for appointment to Ulster County positions: Upon a conditional employment offer and in accordance with Ulster County Legislative Local Law Number 14 of 2007 or by other State and Federal Statutes, prospective candidates for employment to all Ulster County positions must obtain clearance for appointment from the Department of Criminal Justice System or other mandated Federal and State regulatory authorities. Such prospective candidates will be required to be fingerprinted accordingly.
ULSTER COUNTY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND ALL CIVIL SERVICE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, disabled veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity