LAFCO Executive Officer

County of Napa; Napa (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

Napa County is seeking an Executive Officer for LAFCO to provide strategic leadership in public service, planning, and intergovernmental relations. The role requires a strong understanding of local government operations, CKH Act, CEQA, and land use planning regulations, with a focus on community engagement and collaborative decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have five years of progressively responsible public agency experience in administration, finance, or planning, plus a bachelor’s

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible public agency experience in admin, organizational, or financial analysis.
• One year of experience working directly with a Local Agency Formation Commission.
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, economics, urban and/or regional planning, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead with energy, professionalism, and integrity while building relationships across jurisdictional partners and prioritizing community engagement.
• Oversee planning and environmental review activities under CKH Act and CEQA to support local government operations.

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, economics, urban and/or regional planning, or related field

Advanced degree desirable

Job description

NapaCounty is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage.

Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities.

The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.

As an organization, Napa County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. Learn more HERE.

The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra help vacancies for up to one year. There is currently one (1) regular full-time vacancy.

The Ideal Candidate

will be a strategic thought partner who is service-oriented and self-motivated. A strong sense of public service, a keen understanding of local issues, and the ability to make balanced decisions are key competencies for this position, as is a strong understanding of how cities, counties, and special districts operate. Knowledge of the Cortese-Knox-Hetzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Government Code 56000, et seq.) is required, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and California land use planning laws are highly desirable. The next LAFCO Executive Officer will lead with energy, professionalism, and integrity. Has the desire and capacity to build relationships across all jurisdictional partners, and prioritizes community engagement.

Experience and Education:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible experience in a public agency performing administrative, organizational, or financial analysis, and/ or professional planning. One year of experience working directly with a Local Agency Formation Commission is required.

Education:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required with major course work in public administration, business administration, economics, urban and/or regional planning, or a related field. Course work related to land use planning, engineering, public policy, and/or environmental studies is desirable. An advanced degree is desirable.

License or Certificate*:

Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

The Recruitment Process

• Application Screening: Human Resources will screen applications as they are received.
• Oral Panel Interview: The most qualified candidates from the interview process, which is tentatively scheduled for November 12, 2026, will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.

Candidates must attach a cover letter, resume, and at least five professional references to their application for consideration.

The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.