Wanted in JCC: Good Communicator With Loads of Management Experience

By Desiree Parker Tuesday, February 23, 2010

James City County edged closer to finding a new County Administrator Monday, when they began officially advertising for the position.

The job description includes a description of the county, with its population of 63,329 and a fiscal year 2010 budget of $164.1 million. “The County's government is recognized both within the Commonwealth and nationally for its creativity, ability to work cooperatively with neighboring jurisdictions and strong leadership in the Hampton Roads region and in the state,” the description reads.

Minimum requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in business or public administration, or related field, with a master's degree in public or business administration preferred. The county is also looking for someone with between five and seven years’ management experience in local government and/or the private sector with an organization comparable to the county, along with an appropriate amount of time in a managing role in the public sector.

The next county administrator will have experience in long-range and strategic planning as well as team building, staff development and “maintaining positive lines of communication at all levels.”

Salary for the position is negotiable within a range of $140,000 to $165,000, the ad says, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience. An “excellent benefit package” will supplement the salary.

The county’s supervisors engaged the help of executive search firm Springsted, Inc. to create the job description.  Springsted met with supervisors and various community leaders from organizations like the NAACP, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, William and Mary and others, to find out what qualifications folks looked for in an administrator.

In January, supervisors decided to meet one-on-one with Springsted (instead of having the discussion during their work session) to whittle down the criteria list and get to the official ad.

Anyone may apply for the job; click here to read the full description and get application information.

Springsted will screen the applicants, then forward the list for board review and a list of those they’d like to interview.

Wanner said earlier he is hopeful the board will have chosen a replacement by the end of May or early June, “because come August first, I’m out the door!”

Wanner has been in his current position for about 13 years, and has been working for the county for 25 years.