County Administrator

Comal County; New Braunfels (TX); On-site; USD 184,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental & Vision

Paid leave

457 plan & retirement match

Job summary

Comal County seeks an experienced County Administrator to oversee day-to-day county operations in support of the Strategic Plan. Lead the Commissioners Court and county departments to coordinate initiatives, promote efficient operations, and ensure sound fiscal management.

The successful candidate will have strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with integrity and vision for public service and community impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional management experience in a comparable scope.
• Executive-level experience involving finance, planning, budgeting, and public-sector management.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the Chief Operating and Staff Officer for Commissioners Court.
• Provides administrative support and implements directives concerning agendas, meetings, resolutions, and services.
• Develops and recommends budget programs including capital planning, debt issuance, grant funding, and annual operating budgets.
• Directs operations of non-elected county departments and agencies under the Commissioners Court.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Public Administration

Strategic Planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Management/Public Administration

Job description

Comal County is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking County Administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of Comal County Government in support of the County's Strategic Plan. This leadership position offers the opportunity to work closely with Commissioners Court and county departments to coordinate strategic initiatives, promote efficient and cost-effective operations, and ensure sound fiscal management. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with the integrity, collaboration, and vision required to effectively manage county operations and serve the community.

Compensation & Benefits

The position is classified within Comal County's E20 compensation range for FY2027:

• Minimum: $183,674.96
• Midpoint: $220,409.96
• Maximum: $257,144.95

Final compensation will depend on qualifications, experience, and negotiations with Commissioners Court. Relocation assistance may be negotiated and authorized by Commissioners Court.

Comal County offers a comprehensive benefits package including County-paid employee medical coverage, dental and vision options, paid leave, life and disability coverage, a 457 deferred compensation plan, and participation in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS). Employees contribute to TCDRS with the County providing a 2-to-1 retirement match, making the retirement program a significant component of the total compensation package.

Interviews

Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis as ideal candidates are identified.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Duties include the following:

• Serves as the Chief Operating and Staff Officer for Commissioners Court.
• Provides administrative support to the Commissioners Court and implements its directives concerning Commissioners Court agendas, meetings, resolutions, and constituent services.
• Under the direction of the Commissioners Court, works with County departments and other relevant parties, as needed, to develop and recommend budget programs encompassing long-range capital planning, debt issuance and repayment, grant funding, and annual operating and capital budgets.
• Provides management, coordination, and communication to all elected officials on legislative, intergovernmental, and operational needs of the county.
• Research federal, state, and county legal requirements to develop, implement, and maintain documentation relating to general county administration. Reviews proposed legislative changes and prepared impact statements and position papers for the Commissioners Court.
• Research and prepares assessments of service and capital improvement goals for Comal County.
• Directs operations of all non-elected county departments and agencies that are under the control of the Commissioners Court, according to County ordinances and regulations.
• Serves as liaison between Comal County and other government entities, private sector groups, and non-profit organizations.
• Provides Commissioners Court with guidance, strategic planning, support, and research to further the goals, mission, and performance objectives of the Commissioners Court and the County.
• Participates in or develops and administers the annual departmental budget.
• Implements accurate planning to improve government image, integrity, and accountability.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Attendance is an essential function of the job.

Note: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is assigned by the Commissioners Court.

Candidates must possess

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, or a field directly related to the responsibilities of the position.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional management experience in a position of comparable scope and responsibility.
• Executive-level experience involving finance, planning, budgeting, and public-sector management or administration.
• Demonstrated experience advising or working directly with elected officials or a governing body.
• Strong knowledge of public administration, organizational management, government finance, strategic planning, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial, operational, business, and administrative issues and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Background

Comal County will give particular consideration to candidates with significant county government experience, including service as a County Administrator, County Manager, Deputy/Assistant County Administrator, or comparable senior county executive.

Other highly valued experience includes

• Leadership in a county or public organization of similar or greater scale and complexity.
• Managing rapid population growth and significant capital or infrastructure programs.
• CIP development, bond programs, debt planning, facilities, roads, public safety, or other major governmental investments.
• Developing and implementing long-range strategic and financial plans.
• Building or leading professional budget, grants, project-management, or administrative functions.
• Knowledge of Texas county government, statutory structures, budgeting, and legislative issues.

The strongest candidates will combine financial and operational acumen with exceptional relationship-building skills. They must be comfortable working with multiple elected officials, leading through influence when formal authority is limited, providing candid professional recommendations, building consensus when appropriate, and respectfully standing firm when necessary.

Leadership Opportunity

The next County Administrator will help Commissioners Court:

• Develop a long-term roadmap connecting population growth with future infrastructure, facilities, staffing, technology, public safety, court, and service needs.
• Strengthen multi-year financial forecasting, scenario planning, capital modeling, and understanding of the long-term operating costs associated with major investments.
• Guide significant capital and infrastructure decisions, including facilities, jail capacity, roads, bond strategy, and other major public investments.
• Continue developing the County’s professional budgeting, grants, project-management, and administrative capacity.
• Strengthen organizational systems, accountability, communication, project execution, and coordination while preserving practices that have served the County well.
• Provide professional continuity as elected and appointed leadership changes over time.
• Build productive relationships across independently elected offices, municipalities, regional organizations, water and natural-resource partners, state agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Provide Commissioners Court with candid, objective, timely, and well-supported professional advice.

The County is seeking a leader who can introduce proven practices without assuming that another organization’s model should simply be replicated. The successful Administrator will listen first, understand the County’s culture and existing strengths, establish priorities, build trust, and implement practical improvements with appropriate organizational support.

Employment Terms

The County Administrator is an appointed, at-will position. Compensation and other terms of employment are established by Commissioners Court. Any employment agreement, guaranteed term, severance provision, allowance, or other negotiated benefit is subject to specific approval by Commissioners Court.

Comal County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its employment practices based on age, race, religion, sex, color, national origin, or disability.