Essex County, is Seeking a COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

THE COMMUNITY Essex County, situated on the Middle Peninsula of Virginia, and consisting of over 261 square miles, is home to over 11,000 residents. Bordered by the Rapphannock River, Caroline, King and Queen and Middlesex Counties, Essex is a mostly rural environment that has a varied economy, ranging from agriculture to manufacturing services. Major industrial and agricultural establishments housed in Essex County include automotive parts, pallet and pellet products, a soybean export business as well as a pine sawmill, hardwood sawmill, metal stamping and various assembly manufacturers. The County has continued efforts in recent years to attract, retain and recruit businesses and industry and has been successful in growing the economic development program. Most recent unemployment rates reflect these efforts, with the County’s average dropping to 4.4% (June 2016), nearly on par with Virginia’s statewide rate of 4.0%. The Town of Tappahannock, located within Essex County, serves as the County seat and is the area’s regional trade center due to its strategic location at the intersection of U.S. Routes 17 and 360. For its natural beauty, rural charm and historical heritage, Essex County remains one of Virginia’s most beautiful locations to call home, work and play.

THE COMMUNITY (CONTINUED) Board-Identified Strategic Essex County is home to one elementary, one middle and one high Initiatives school and enrolls nearly 1,500 students in its public school system. For advanced program offerings, the  Foster Community and Economic Technical Center Governor’s STEM Academy for Agriculture and Well-Being Maritime Studies is located in the County and the  Practice Good Governance Governor’s School for Marine and Environmental Science is located  Strengthen Community a short distance away. Private schools in the vicinity include Aylett Partnerships Country Day School, St. Margaret’s School and Tappahannock  Fund the Future Junior Academy. Higher education offerings are provided by Rappahannock Community College’s two campuses in Warsaw and Glenns; both within a short drive of the County. Each offers programs in college preparatory, vocational, business and technical trades. Within an hour’s commuting distance of Essex are some of the finest colleges and universities in Virginia including the College of William and Mary, the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, Randolph Macon College and the University of Mary Washington. Medical care within the County is provided by Riverside Tappahannock Hospital, a 100-bed facility that provides services in respiratory therapy, nuclear medicine, family medicine, emergency services, cardiology and orthopedic surgery. Riverside Middle Peninsula Hospital offers general medical and surgical care as well as a 24-hour emergency room. Major transportation routes which run through the County include U.S. Routes 17 and 360, both of which provide access to major interstates and highways. Richmond International Airport (40 miles) and Newport News International Airport (70 miles) offer many international and domestic flights daily by major commercial High Priority Issues and airlines. Tappahannock-Essex County Airport is located in the County and offers private plane services as well. Challenges Recreational and leisure opportunities within Essex are showcased  Develop new revenue sources by the , which offers a variety of water activities through enhanced and creative including public and private boat ramps, fishing and sailing. The efforts to diversify the County’s County also offers several public ball fields, swimming pools, tennis tax base courts and golf courses for recreational purposes. Riverside Wellness and Fitness Center offers two outdoor tennis courts, two  Address the challenge of racquetball courts, basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor track, unfunded capital improvement heated pool and sauna for its members as well. The public library projects over the next five years operated by the County houses over 17,000 volumes and is available to residents and visitors. The County’s proximity to both  Improve coordination, Fredericksburg and the Richmond metropolitan area provides communication and relationships residents extensive shopping opportunities. with independent County

agencies, commissions and boards The Town of Tappahannock exhibits many positive features THE COUNTY including a waterfront, historic downtown, residential subdivisions ADMINISTRATOR’S and neighborhoods along the scenic Rappahannock River; a business corridor development and industrial district at the former POSITION airport in Town. The County Administrator is the ESSEX COUNTY GOVERNMENT Chief Administrative Officer of County Vision Statement: In partnership with its citizens, Essex County government and is County is a community where businesses and residents benefit from a accountable directly to the Board of diversified economy, receive excellent public services, and enjoy a Supervisors. superior quality of life while sustaining and protecting the County’s rural heritage for present and future generations. The County Administrator directs and supervises the day-to-day Essex County operates under the Board-Administrator form of operations of all County government, with a four-member, elected Board of Supervisors departments and agencies under serving as the legislative body of the local government, with each the direct control of the Board of member representing a different jurisdiction within the County and Supervisors and coordinates and serving a four (4) year, staggered term. The Board is responsible for implements the Board’s policy enacting laws, setting policies, approving the budget for county directives. services and appointing citizens to several boards, authorities and commissions. The County Administrator is appointed by the Board and serves at the pleasure of the Board, carrying out the Board’s adopted It is also the responsibility of the policies, directing business procedures and overseeing day-to-day County Administrator to serve as operations and activities of all County departments. the Board of Supervisors’ liaison to the County’s constitutional officers; Essex County is operating with a Fiscal Year 2017 General Fund budget state, regional and local agencies; of $21.6 million, which supports over fifteen (15) department areas and authorities, commissions and ranging from the economic development, building and zoning and community associations. geographic information systems to facilities management, parks and recreation and animal control. The County holds a rate of $0.88 per $100 of assessed valuation for real estate and employs over 100 staff members that support and provide services in all areas of County operations.

Essex County...from the forests to the water…

Where Life is Good.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS CANDIDATE PROFILE Responsibilities and Requirements  Successful candidates will possess a The following are desired responsibilities and requirements for the bachelor’s degree in public or County Administrator to possess, as identified by the Board of Supervisors: business administration, economics, planning, finance or a related field; Steward of Public Funds Must possess an understanding of public finance and possess the financial with a master’s degree preferred. acumen to develop and manage a large, complex budget. Should possess skills in developing and working with Capital Improvement Plans and be  Considerable experience in public or able to recommend adjustments as necessary. Should follow revenues private sector-management as chief and look for new sources that would be compatible with the culture and or deputy chief administrative officer economy of the County. Must be able to analyze and project short and long-term costs, benefits and revenue sources for new initiatives and of a comparably sized community or have creativity in approaching new programs and financial solutions for organization is highly desired. Essex County.

Relationship Builder  Past experience of the individual Must be adept at working with and for an elected Board to include vetting must demonstrate familiarity with and presenting well thought out ideas and initiatives. Is expected to hold and understanding of growth weekly briefings with the Board on staff activities and program challenges. Will need to work to enhance the delivery of services through management, finance and budget, participation in intergovernmental relationships and collaborations. economic development and staff development. Should be active in the community and be a participant in local civic organizations and activities and be able to identify community stakeholders and be effective in establishing working relationships.  Experience in maintaining positive Should possess strong communication skills with all levels of constituents lines of communication at all levels to include staff members, citizens, Board members and outside agencies. and interacting with various local, Is expected to be self-aware, listen well and be skilled at facilitation and engaging public discussions to achieve positive outcomes for the regional and state agencies is organization and the community. essential. Team Builder Should appreciate the importance and value of County staff members and  Candidates must have demonstrated work to effectively build and utilize their knowledge, skills and abilities skills in working effectively with a through developing and sustaining teams. Must have the skills to governing body on a regular basis recognize when change is necessary and have the skills to implement change effectively. Is expected to be open to receiving staff feedback and and providing clear and concise train department heads and staff to effectively communicate with the communications. Board, community groups and individual constituents. Will be expected to develop work plans for each department that have clear objectives and  Candidate should be able to present performance measures.

a confident image of the local Personal Qualities Desired government to the County staff and  An approachable leader who has a strong managerial talent the community in conducting all  A good communicator who seeks consensus and is able to work collaboratively facets of County business.  An individual who is comfortable with change and holds strong values

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary for the position is negotiable dependent upon the individual’s qualifications and experience. Benefits include but are not limited to participation in the Virginia Retirement System, vacation and sick leave, group life insurance, medical and dental insurance, professional dues and conference expenses. Residency within the County is preferred.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS The application deadline is October 16, 2016. To be considered, please submit your cover letter, resume with salary history and list of five (5) professional references online by visiting our website, https://waters- company.recruitmenthome.com/. Following the filing date, résumés will be screened by Waters & Company based on the criteria established by Essex County. The County will review recommended candidates who most closely meet the established criteria. For more information, please contact us at richmond@waters- company.com.

For more information about Essex County, Virginia, please see their website at: http://www.essex- virginia.org/. Essex County, Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

9097 Atlee Station Road Phone: 804.726.9748

Suite 100 Toll-free: 800.899.1669

Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Fax: 804.277.3435

Springsted Incorporated Phone: 651.223.3000 380 Jackson Street Fax: 651.223.3002 Suite 300 Saint Paul, MN 55101