County Administrator

Marinette County, WI; Marinette (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Marinette County, Wisconsin, seeks an experienced County Administrator to lead a broad, public-focused organization and implement county priorities with fiscal discipline.

The Administrator serves as the chief administrative officer, guiding staff, reporting to the Executive Committee, and coordinating with elected officials to deliver high-quality services. A strong finance, HR, and strategic planning background is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, government finance, accounting, or related field; Master's preferred.
• Four years of experience in business, industry, or administration of a public agency or department.
• Administrative management experience in county or municipal government.
• Driver's license acceptable to the County's insurer.
• No criminal convictions related to County Administrator duties.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Marinette County's chief administrative officer and implement County priorities.
• Supervise day-to-day administrative management and coordinate with department heads.
• Work with the County Board and Executive Committee to manage the budget and priorities.

Skills

Budgeting and finance

Leadership

Strategic planning

HR management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Marinette County, Wisconsin, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and forward-looking professional to serve as its next County Administrator. Located in northeastern Wisconsin along the shores of Green Bay and the Michigan Upper Peninsula, Marinette County combines welcoming small communities, affordable living, quality schools and employment opportunities with exceptional access to outdoor recreation. More than 230,000 acres of county forest, numerous lakes and rivers, waterfalls and an extensive trail system offer year-round recreational opportunities.

The County Administrator is Marinette County's chief administrative officer and carries out the powers, duties, and responsibilities set forth in Section 59.18 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Marinette County Code of Ordinances, and the official position description. The Administrator supervises and coordinates the day-to-day administrative management of the County, exercises professional judgment and initiative within policies established by the County Board, and works closely with elected officials and department heads to implement County priorities.

Marinette County is governed by a thirty-member, nonpartisan Board of Supervisors. The Administrator reports to the Executive Committee and is accountable to the full County Board. A 2026 all-funds expense budget of approximately $74.1 million supports 358 positions and a broad range of services, including public safety and justice, health and human services, highways and infrastructure, land and natural resources, forestry, parks and recreation, finance, human resources, technology, elections, veterans services and economic development.

Key Opportunities and Priorities

The next Administrator will help Marinette County address several important organizational and community priorities, including maintaining high-quality services under state-imposed levy limits and other financial constraints; strengthening long-range budgeting and capital improvement planning; recruiting and retaining a talented workforce; improving employee morale, compensation competitiveness, training and succession planning; and fostering a collaborative, team-oriented organizational culture.

Additional priorities include improving the condition and long-term funding of County highways; evaluating, maintaining, repurposing or divesting County facilities and other assets in a financially responsible manner; improving intergovernmental communication and cooperation; pursuing appropriate State and Federal funding opportunities; supporting economic development and housing efforts; and helping the County Board make timely, well-informed decisions on difficult long-term issues.

Desired Skills and Leadership Qualities

The County seeks a leader with a strong finance background, including demonstrated experience in budget development and capital improvement planning and execution. Significant experience in human resources management, including compensation, employee performance and general personnel management, is important. The successful candidate should also demonstrate strong strategic planning skills and an ability to work effectively with federal, state and local governments.

The ideal candidate will have a collaborative leadership style in working with County Board Supervisors, management and employees; open, positive and effective communication skills; flexibility and the ability to respond constructively to changing circumstances; and an approachable manner. The County is seeking an innovator and practical problem-solver who can build strong teams, promote transparency, exercise sound judgment and establish productive relationships throughout the organization and community.

Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in business or public administration, government finance, accounting, or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred.

Requires four years of experience in business, industry, or administration of a public agency or department.

Requires administrative management experience in county or municipal government.

Must possess and maintain a driver's license acceptable to the County's insurer.

Requires no criminal convictions arising from circumstances relating to County Administrator duties.