Deputy County Executive - Safety and Security

APCO International; Fairfax, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government seeks an experienced Deputy County Executive to oversee the public safety and security portfolio and coordinate strategy across departments. The DCE acts for the County Executive, directs operations, and represents the County with officials and partners.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and financial management skills to champion the County's Strategic Plan and One Fairfax initiative while ensuring effective service delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in public/admin or related field.
• Eight years of progressively responsible managerial experience in government or non-profit/private sectors.
• At least five years at senior/department director level.
• Preferred: master's degree in public/admin or related field.

Responsibilities

• Advises the Board of Supervisors and County Executive on strategic initiatives and operational matters.
• Implements policies across assigned departments per Board direction.
• Provides executive oversight of operations and administration of departments.
• Reports to the County Executive on performance, administration, and emerging issues.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive oversight

Political sensitivity

Interpersonal skills

Budget & finance management

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration or business administration or related field

Master's degree in public administration or related field (preferred)

Job description

Under general direction of the County Executive, the incumbent of this class serves at the pleasure of the County Executive in accordance with the Virginia Code Ann. §15.2-807, 15.2-808, and 15.2-809, and is subject to appointment by the County Board of Supervisors pursuant to Fairfax County Code 3-1-12(1)(a). The incumbent of this class is empowered to act for or on behalf of the County Executive and in the absence of the County Executive is responsible for directing the operations of the government.

The Deputy County Executive (DCE) is an executive-level position appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS), to oversee the administration of the county’s public safety and security portfolio. The DCE provides executive oversight of the Police Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Department of Emergency Management and Security, Department of Public Safety Communications, Department of Animal Services and the McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center. The DCE also serves as the liaison to the Office of the Sheriff, courts and Health Department on emergency management matters. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Advises the Board of Supervisors and County Executive on strategic initiatives and operational matters.
• Implements the policies established by the Board of Supervisors across assigned departments.
• Provides executive oversight of the operations and administration of assigned departments.
• Reports to the County Executive on the performance, administration, and emerging issues affecting assigned departments.
• Leads budget development and oversight by reviewing departmental budget requests and amendments, evaluating fiscal impacts, and providing recommendations to the County Executive and Board of Supervisors.
• Directs the recruitment and selection of department heads, recommends appointments to the County Executive and Board of Supervisors; and fosters professional and executive leadership development through training and attendance at professional meetings and conferences.
• Champions the County's Strategic Plan and One Fairfax initiative, promoting organizational alignment, collaboration, and accountability across departments.
• Represents the County before the Board of Supervisors, public safety partners, community organizations, and the public on policies and issues, as well as ongoing initiatives.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; serves as the county’s representative to committees and community organizations concerned with improvements in public safety and departmental public relations.
• Attends work groups, public meetings, hearings, conferences, committee meetings, and Board of Supervisor meetings.
• Maintains strategic relationships with public safety organizations and professional groups, and represents the County on local, state, and national public safety task forces and initiatives.

For a more detailed description of this position, please click here (Download PDF reader) to view the position profile.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration or a closely related field; plus eight years of progressively responsible managerial experience in a local, state, or federal government, or in the non-profit or the private sectors, to include at least five years of experience at the senior or department director level.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED

Not applicable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education equivalent to completion of a master's degree program with major course work in public administration, business administration or related field.
• Extensive public administration experience in an administrative or operational capacity, specifically a broad background in managing complex organizations as well as extensive, in-depth senior or executive-level experience directing county, city or public safety operations.
• Demonstrated ability to direct a large organization and its staff with integrity in the face of pressure and adversity.
• Demonstrated political sensitivity in dealing with elected officials, community, staff, and media.
• Ability to create and maintain a work environment that is respectful and accepting of diverse opinions and recognizes leadership from every chair.
• Experience with strategic leadership and working in a large, integrated, multi-agency and multi-disciplinary services system.
• Leadership characterized by unwavering integrity in the execution of strategic plans that impact diverse programs, services, and public policy in an often-challenging political environment.
• Experience with managing multiple and complex funding streams, budgets, and agreements in the public sector.
• Excellent personnel management and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and lead effective teams.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check, credit check, and social media/Internet check.
• Willingness to work extended hours to cover evening and weekend committees and events. On-call for emergencies after hours, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• This position is classified as emergency services personnel. The appointee is required to report to work during times of inclement weather or other emergencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is primarily sedentary in nature; however, visual acuity to work on electronic equipment such as a computer monitor, typing on a keyboard and carrying/lifting up to 15 pounds are essential to this position. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Panel interview; may include a practical exercise. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact TTY [e-mail] EEO/AA/TTY.