|
|
|
Yellow Medicine County
County Administrator
Position Profile
The County
Yellow Medicine County is located on the southwest Minnesota
prairie, bordered on the northeast by the Minnesota River and
the west by the State of South Dakota. The County is 758 square
miles with a population over 11,000. Yellow Medicine County is
comprised of twenty-one townships and the cities of Granite
Falls (3,100), Canby (2,000), Clarkfield (950), Wood Lake (435),
Hanley Falls (325), Echo (275), Porter (200), St. Leo (105) and
Hazel Run (65).
Recreation areas are prevalent throughout Yellow Medicine
County. Area state parks include Upper Sioux State Park, Lac Qui
Parle State Park and Camden State Park. Wood Lake County Park is
located on the north shore of Wood Lake near the city of the
same name and features several acres of wooded parkland with
picnic areas and a swimming beach. Del Clark Park and a 9-hole
golf course are located in Canby.
The Yellow Medicine River runs through the central and eastern
portions of the county and joins the Minnesota River in Upper
Sioux State Park. The Minnesota River has two waterfalls one
at Granite Falls and the other at Minnesota Falls. From these,
waterpower was developed early in the county's history.
Prior to Minnesotas statehood, the County of Yellow Medicine
was under federal jurisdiction as Indian territory. The Sioux
inhabited the area they named Yellow Medicine from the word for
a bitter root used for medicinal purposes. The early settlers
were predominantly English, Scandinavian, and German with
smaller settlements of Irish, Scotch, and Bohemian. Yellow
Medicine County was created by legislative act on March 6, 1871.
In 1874, Granite Falls was named as the county seat.
The City of Granite Falls, is located on the eastern edge of the
county at the intersections of US Highway 212 and Minnesota
Highways 23 and 67. The Minnesota River flows through the center
of the city and the river valley provides a setting of unique
natural beauty. The citys largest employer is Granite Falls
Hospital and Manor. An abundance of recreational opportunities
may be found in Granite Falls, including the River Run Golf
Course and numerous city parks that provide ball parks and
recreational facilities. The Killowatt Community Center features
three indoor pools and courts for basketball, volleyball and
handball. The Yellow Medicine County Museum is located in
Granite Falls.
Education
Yellow Medicine East School District serves the communities of
Granite Falls, Clarkfield, Hanley Falls, Hazel Run and Echo. The
Canby School District serves the communities of Canby, Porter
and St. Leo. The Echo Charter School serves students from
pre-school to 12th grade. Post-secondary schools include
Minnesota West Community and Technical College, with locations
in Granite Falls and Canby, and Southwest Minnesota State
University in nearby Marshall. Two hospitals, several medical
centers, assisted care facilities and nursing homes serve Yellow
Medicine County.
The Organization
Yellow Medicine County is governed by a five-member Board of
County Commissioners elected to four-year terms. The County
Auditor/Treasurer, Sheriff, Recorder and Attorney are also
elected to four year terms.
The total county budget for 2007 is $13 million, with a $5
million general fund budget.
The County employs 90. County Departments include
Administration, Assessor, Attorney, Auditor/Treasurer, Drainage,
Emergency Management, Family Services, Highway, Recorder,
Sheriff and Veterans Services.
County Services Provided Through Joint Ventures
Yellow Medicine County along with Lac qui Parle, Lincoln,
Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Rock and Pipestone Counties, jointly
established the Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System for
sorting, treating and distributing water to the counties.
The County participates with Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui
Parle and Swift Counties in a joint venture to provide community
health services.
The County participates with Swift, Lac qui Parle and Chippewa
Counties to provide community corrections services.
The County has a joint powers agreement to create and operate
the Kandiyohi-Region 6W Community Corrections Agency Detention
Center (Prairie Lakes Detention Center) located in Willmar.
The Southwestern Minnesota Adult Mental Health Consortium
Board is a joint powers agreement with Yellow Medicine and 16
other counties.
PACT 4 Families Collaborative serves children and families in
the counties of Yellow Medicine, Meeker, Renville and Kandiyohi.
In addition, Yellow Medicine County, in conjunction with other
local governments, has formed a number of joint powers boards to
address water quality and watershed issues, library services,
solid waste management and agricultural management.
Organizational Structure
The Position
The County Administrator plans, directs and coordinates the
overall operation of the County government and serves under the
direction of the County Board of Commissioners.
Specific duties include:
Supervision of appointed Department Heads and administrative
personnel.
Management of Human Resource functions and personnel issues.
Assist the County Board committee in labor negotiations and
disputes.
Develop and recommend policies to the Board, in consultation
with the County Attorney on legal matters.
Attend meetings of the Board of Commissioners, Family Services
Board, Labor Management Committee, Finance Committee and related
bodies. Represent the County at meetings, conferences, and with
the news media.
Prepare agendas and minutes of the County Board.
Background and Experience
Candidates for the County Administrator position should possess
a four year degree in public administration or a related field
with experience in an administrative capacity in local
government.
Qualified candidates will possess:
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of
local government administration.
Significant background in human resources activities and
knowledge of personnel policies, including hiring, termination,
benefits, compensation plans, and staff development.
Experience in labor union negotiations, collective bargaining,
grievance procedures, and resolution.
Strong supervisory experience and ability to manage people.
Strong budget development, financial reporting, and accounting
background.
Understanding of county programs and services offered through
the various departments.
Experience in working with an elected board and developing
policies.
Knowledge of economic development activities and functions.
Appreciation of living and working in a rural environment.
Management Capabilities
Encourage staff to contribute ideas and recommendations and
build a strong team utilizing staff strengths. Work with
Department Heads to develop creative solutions.
Evaluate staff needs and strengths and assign tasks
accordingly.
Possess the ability to assess situations and individuals in
order to deal with conflicts.
Work cooperatively with other governmental entities on shared
services.
Display an outgoing personality. Be approachable and available
to staff and elected officials.
Be firm and decisive.
Bring about changes in a judicious manner. Listen and consider
all options.
Position Priorities
Spend the time necessary to meet with elected officials and
staff to identify county issues.
Evaluate current technology and staff capabilities with an eye
to improvement. Explore options for staff training, the addition
of IT support staff, updating the county website, GIS upgrades,
etc.
Evaluate efficiencies in creating a central purchasing system
for all departments.
Oversee the project to expand or remodel facilities, i.e. jail
expansion, office space.
Develop an organizational system to keep policies updated and
recorded, particularly in the HR area.
Initiate long term planning to address demographic changes
within the county and the effect on facility and technology
needs. Develop plans for financing future needs including
maintenance of the countys five year Capital Improvement Plan.
Develop an economic development strategy to expand the tax
base and leverage current development.
Evaluate county investments, cash flow and fund allocations.
Develop plans for additional revenue sources to offset state
funding cutbacks.
Announcement
County Administrator; Yellow Medicine County (pop. 11,000).
Starting Salary low $70s to low $90s. Yellow Medicine County is
located on the southwest Minnesota prairie and is comprised of
twenty-one townships and nine cities, including the county seat
of Granite Falls (pop. 3,100). Prefer a four year degree in
public administration or a related field with experience in an
administrative capacity in local government. Qualified
candidates will have experience in budgeting,
finance/accounting, human resources and labor unions, and
economic development. Position Profile available. Send resume by
12/27/06 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search, Fifty South
Ninth Avenue, Suite 101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone: (952)
945-0246 Fax: (952) 945-0102 e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web:
www.brimgroup.com
For more information, please visit
www.yellowmedicine.govoffice.com
Timetable
12/27/06 Deadline for Application
1/22/07 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
2/2 and 2/3/07 Interviews/Selection
March 2007 Start Date
|
Print
Close Window