LAFCO Executive Officer

Calafco; Sonoma (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonoma County LAFCO is seeking a collaborative, hands-on Executive Officer to lead the Commission, oversee administration, and guide strategic planning for local government boundaries and services.

The role requires strategic thinking, strong stakeholder diplomacy, and knowledge of local government processes, CEQA, and related planning laws. Eligibility and experience in public administration are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in a professional-level position performing duties related to general administration, operations, or accounting/budgetary analysis including research, analysis, and preparation of written reports. Experience supervising staff is desirable.
• Significant college coursework in subjects such as public administration, public policy, economics, business management, finance/accounting, urban/regional planning, or a closely related area. A master’s degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Formulate policies, procedures, and operational objectives; develop, review, and implement the Commission’s annual work plan.
• Analyze information and prepare reports, recommendations, and agenda materials related to jurisdictional boundaries, contracts for staff services, sphere of influence amendments, and related matters.
• Provide fiscal services such as budget development, financial accounts, forecasting and monitoring revenues, cost control, and preparation of fiscal reports.
• Act as the Commission’s representative with public and private policy-making agencies and community groups; assist with contract staff services coordination.
• Serve as a primary liaison to cities, special districts, county departments, state agencies, and the public.
• Represent Sonoma County LAFCO at conferences and statewide forums; supervise staff and manage consultant relationships.
• Navigate initiatives such as potential fire district reorganizations, annexations, and district consolidation; advise on policy interpretation and guidance.

Education

Master's degree desirable

Public administration coursework

Public policy coursework

Economics coursework

Urban/regional planning coursework

Job description

Explore career opportunities with California’s Local Agency Formation Commissions and organizations that support local government.

LAFCO Executive Officer – County of Sonoma, CA

The County of Sonoma seeks a collaborative, hands‑on executive leader to become the next Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) Executive Officer.

The Executive Officer manages, coordinates, and evaluates the varied functions of the LAFCO, providing administrative, research, analytical, and advisory services to the Commission. The Sonoma County LAFCO Executive Officer will:

• Work with the Commission to formulate policies, procedures, and operational objectives, and develop, review, and implement the Commission’s annual work plan
• Analyze information and prepare reports, recommendations, and other agenda materials for the Commission relating to jurisdictional boundaries, contracts for provisions of services outside city or district boundaries, sphere of influence amendments, municipal services reviews, and other matters within the Commission’s authority
• Provide supporting fiscal services to the Commission such as the development of the budget, management and financial accounts, forecasting and monitoring revenues, evaluating and controlling costs for services staff and supplies, ensuring payment of Commission charges and expenses, and preparation of required fiscal reports
• Act as the LAFCO’s representative with public and private policy‑making agencies and community groups; provide operational assistance with the development and coordination of the contract for staff services
• Serve as a primary liaison to cities, special districts, county departments, state agencies, and the public
• Represent Sonoma County LAFCO at conferences and statewide forums
• Supervise a small team of LAFCO staff and manage consultant relationships
• Successfully navigate complex and high‑profile initiatives, such as potential fire district reorganizations, pending annexations, and special district consolidation efforts
• Advise the Commission on the interpretation of Commission policy and procedures, legislation, current events, and matters of interest, requesting legal opinions and guidance as needed

The ideal candidate for this position will be a strategic thought partner who is service‑oriented and self‑directed. 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 systems operate. Knowledge of the Cortese‑Knox‑Hetzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Government Code 5600, et seq), 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. The ability to successfully build and maintain rapport and trust amongst a range of constituencies, guide consensus‑building discussions, as well as strong written and oral communication skills are essential.

While specific LAFCO experience is highly desirable, it is not required. We welcome candidates with backgrounds in local government management, regional planning, public administration, or other roles requiring systems thinking, governance insight, and stakeholder diplomacy.

To be considered for this position, minimum qualifications must be demonstrated. Most typically, a qualified candidate will possess:

• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in a professional‑level position performing duties related to general administration, operations, or accounting/budgetary analysis including research, analysis, and preparation of written reports. Experience supervising staff is desirable.
• Significant college coursework in subjects such as public administration, public policy, economics, business management, finance/accounting, urban/regional planning, or a closely related area. A master’s degree is desirable.