SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - 40006975

Durham County; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County is seeking a Senior Administrative Officer to lead the library system’s HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, benefits, and staff development. The role reports to the Library Director and sits on the Library Administrative Team, contributing to strategic planning and workforce development.

The position oversees performance management, two system-wide staff development days annually, and coordination with managers on accountability practices across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration or related discipline.
• Four (4) years of accounting, finance, administration, budgeting or related experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; handles employee concerns and performance appraisals.
• Coordinates work, schedules, standards, and progress; provides guidance as needed.
• Administers grants funds; maintains grant databases, invoices, and progress reports.
• Manages accounts receivable and payments to vendors; oversees HR responsibilities.
• Audits invoices and reviews contracts; assists in budgeting.
• Prepares agendas, minutes, and notices; supports strategic plan initiatives.

Skills

HR management

Budgeting

Staff supervision

Communication

Policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration

Job description

SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - 40006975

Join Durham County Government
Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov .

DEPARTMENT:

Library

DATE POSTED:

November 10, 2026

CLOSING DATE:

November 17, 2026

HIRING RANGE:

$62,872 - $84,840

POSITION NUMBER:

40006975

JOB TYPE:

Full-Time, 37.5 hrs/week, Exempt

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Senior Administrative Officer serves as the library system’s lead administrator for human resources functions, providing strategic and operational support in recruitment, retention, employee relations, onboarding, and offboarding processes. This position coordinates and advises managers on performance management activities, ensuring consistent and effective employee development and accountability practices across the organization. The Senior Administrative Officer also plays a key role in fostering a culture of continuous learning by coordinating and promoting staff development opportunities for all employees and leading a team responsible for planning and delivering two system-wide staff development days each year. Reporting directly to the Library Director and serving as a member of the Library Administrative Team, the Senior Administrative Officer contributes to organizational leadership initiatives, including strategic planning, workforce development, and the advancement of library goals and priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Coordinates, assigns and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
• Reviews and administers grants funds. Create and maintain database for each grant, prepare invoices, progress reports and other required paperwork.
• Administers payments approved by Department to vendors.
• Manages and reconciles accounts receivable.
• Provides human resources responsibilities (recruitment, retention, employee relations, benefits).
• Audits invoices and reviews contracts.
• Assists in preparation and managing of the departmental budget.
• Prepares agenda for monthly meetings, minutes, and meeting notices.
• Demonstrates, models, and actively engages in the alignment and execution of the County's Strategic Plan Initiatives to ensure the objectives of the core goals are achieved to benefit Durham County employees, citizens, and the environment.
• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of current principles and practices of bookkeeping, accounting and statistics, and provisions of the Federal Social Security Act.
• Thorough knowledge of public health and welfare administration.
• Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local health and welfare policies, and programs, categorical and other funding, and the laws on which they are based.
• Thorough knowledge of statistical analysis and agency financing and audit procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of casework and service philosophy, methods and practices.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct administrative and clerical staff.
• Ability to plan and execute effective in-service training and staff development programs.
• Ability to express complex ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees, community agencies, the public and various community officials.
• Ability to prepare and present complex technical reports.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration or related discipline.
• Four (4) years of accounting, finance, administration, budgeting or related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience leading recruitment, retention, onboarding, offboarding, and employee benefits administration programs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build positive working relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or IPMA-HR certification preferred.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

STANDARD CLAUSES

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of Durham County. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses. Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer