Chief Administrative Officer - Butte County, California
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Chief Administrative Officer
Butte County, California
Butte County Challenges and
Butte County is situated on the east side of Northern Opportunities
California’s Sacramento Valley and covers 1,640
Over the past three years, Butte
square miles between the Sacramento River to
County has experienced a number
the west and the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the
of major disasters, yet continues
east. This “Land of Natural Wealth and Beauty”
to thrive.
was founded on February 18, 1850, and is one
of California’s original counties. Butte County’s Butte County is the host community for the Lake
elevation spans from 90 to 7,800 feet above sea level Oroville Facilities – part of the State Water Project
making the County geographically diverse. In fact, and operated by the California Department of Water
Butte County derived its name from the Marysville or Resources (DWR). In February 2017, the Lake
Sutter Buttes mountain range, which was within the Oroville Project’s main and emergency spillways
County boundaries when it was originally founded, were damaged, prompting the evacuation of more
but now lies within the boundary of Sutter County. than 180,000 people living downstream along the
Feather River, as well as relocation of a fish hatchery.
Many of Butte County’s 220,000 residents live in one
Discussions and negotiations with DWR have been
of five incorporated cities. From its fertile agricultural
taking place for years, as part of the FERC relicensing
fields encompassing Gridley and Biggs in the western
process, and continue as the long-term issues and costs
part of the County; to its dynamic population centers
associated with hosting the Project in Butte County
in Chico and Oroville in the midsection; to the
are considered.
Sierra Nevada Mountains and its foothills including
the Town of Paradise to the east; Butte County has In November 2018, the Camp Fire, California’s
something for everyone. The County offers an ideal most destructive and deadliest fire, burned the Town The County Organization
economic atmosphere, a highly educated labor force, of Paradise, and the unincorporated communities The Butte County Board of Supervisors consists
and a lower than average cost of living. The County is of Berry Creek, Butte Creek Canyon, Butte Valley, of five members, each of whom is elected from the
committed to protecting and enhancing agriculture as Centerville, Concow, Magalia, Paradise Pines, Pulga, district in which he or she resides. The term of office
the backbone of the local economy and for the open Yankee Hill, and surrounding areas within Butte for Supervisors is four years, and the Board elects
spaces that make Butte County a beautiful place to County. The fire took the lives of 85 people, left a new Chair and Vice Chair at the first meeting in
live and work. nearly 19,000 structures destroyed, and displaced January of each year. One new Board member will be
more than 14,000 families. Though the County and seated in January 2021, and the next Board election is
Although agriculture is a key industry of the County, in 2022.
its residents face many challenges from the fire, there
employers in Butte County make a wide range of
are also opportunities that have arisen from the
products including electrical components, food The County organization is currently served by
disaster, including strategic discussions regarding use
products, photo processing, medical equipment, laser 2,383.5 FTE’s. Seventeen appointed and 6 elected
equipment, reloading equipment, aircraft components, department heads are responsible for leading the
and software. Lying along the western slope of the County’s 23 departments. The County has a talented
Sierra Nevada, Butte County is prime territory for the and professional staff that values collaboration
siting of hydroelectric power plants. throughout the organization.
Butte County is fortunate to have three hospitals The fiscal year 2020-21 Recommended Budget is
and a strong health care sector, including a Level approximately $661.7 million. Over the years, the
II trauma center in Chico. Chico is also home to Board of Supervisors has consistently made fiscally
California State University, Chico. With nearly responsible decisions to ensure the financial stability
17,000 students, the University offers over 129 of the County. New and evolving challenges over the
degrees. In addition, Butte County has a leading-edge next several years will require careful planning and
community college, Butte College, which offers a difficult decisions to address costs that are anticipated
variety of programs customized to meet the demands to increase faster than the revenues that support them.
of individual businesses. Butte County has 14 school
districts with 91 public schools and 18 charter schools. The Position
The average class size is 22.7 students, which is lower After having served over three years as Chief
than the Statewide average of 25.4 students. Administrative Officer (CAO) and 15 years with
of the County’s PG&E Settlement; a large amount Butte County, Shari McCracken has announced
Butte County offers a wide variety of outdoor activities
of disaster funding that could have a positive impact her upcoming retirement on October 1, 2020. The
in scenic surroundings. Bidwell Park, Feather Falls,
on the current housing shortage and homelessness CAO is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and
and Lake Oroville are just a few locales offering ample
challenges; infrastructure improvements for evacuation supervises the administrative activities of all Board
opportunities to enjoy golfing, hiking, biking, fishing,
routes; and the potential for a successful public safety controlled offices, departments, and agencies. In
hunting, boating, rafting, and horseback riding. Music,
revenue measure in 2022. addition, the CAO is responsible for the following.
dance, theater, art galleries, museums, and historical
homes are all part of the daily cultural life of Butte Today, the County is dealing with the impacts of the • Acts as an agent of the Board.
County residents. Butte County is also home to a COVID-19 pandemic.
• Directs the analysis and preparation of annual
thriving culinary, brewery, and winery scene that,
As with all California counties, Butte County also budget requests of all County departments,
combined with local agriculture, provides a variety of
faces challenges from a number of anticipated directs fiscal and organizational plans, and directs
farm-to-table experiences.
retirements, rising CalPERS costs, expenses outpacing the continuous review of County expenditures
To learn more about all that Butte County has revenue, and the State transferring additional costs throughout the fiscal year.
to offer, please visit www.buttecounty.net and to local government agencies, which will require a
• Maintains and directs central administrative
www.explorebuttecounty.com/. strategic and creative approach.
services, central purchasing, and risk management.
• Reviews department head performance and
recommends pay adjustments for Board approval.
• Analyzes and recommends policies and
procedures for the orderly conduct of County
administrative affairs.
• Directs surveys and studies on a wide variety of
administrative and budgetary subjects.
• Conducts special studies or assignments directed
by the Board of Supervisors.
• Represents the Board as assigned in relationship to
other governmental agencies.
• Serves as the Clerk of the Board.
In conversations with the Board of Supervisors,
County Elected Officials, and department heads, the
ideal candidate for CAO has been described as having
the following attributes, skills, and style.
• Able to make the tough personnel decisions, Search Schedule
focus on staff development and planning for
the future. Resume filing deadline .........................July 20, 2020
• Relationship builder; team builder. Preliminary Interviews .................... July 27-29, 2020
• Skills in finance, budget, technology and
Recommendation of Candidates ....... August 4, 2020
system improvements.
• Works regionally and uses their contacts at Finalist Interview Process ....August 13 and 14, 2020
the state and federal levels. Able to serve
as a strong representative and advocate of a These dates have been confirmed, and it is recommended
County with a diverse array of rural and urban that you plan your calendar accordingly.
challenges and opportunities.
• Understands and is sensitive to the distinct
• High integrity; politically astute; apolitical. challenges the County has recently faced.
Able to inspire others, build the staff, and lead
A Bachelor’s Degree in public or business
the charge.
administration, political science, or other related fields
• Grounded, self-assured, calm demeanor; has a from an accredited college or university is required; a The Recruitment Process
backbone; comfortable in their own skin. Doesn’t Master’s degree is desirable. In addition, at least six To apply for this exciting career opportunity,
have a big ego – leaves their ego at the door. years of increasingly responsible management and please visit our website:
• Firm, but collaborative and approachable. supervisory experience within a public sector agency
is required.
Peckham & McKenney
Proactive rather than reactive. Not a
www.peckhamandmckenney.com
micromanager. The Chief Administrative Officer is required to live
Please do not hesitate to contact Bobbi
• Innovative problem solver who takes a business- within the County limits. The ideal candidate will
Peckham toll-free at (866) 912-1919 if you
like approach. Fiscally conservative. bring experience serving in a county or similar agency
have any questions regarding this position or
of comparable size within California, although
• Decisive and comfortable making the difficult recruitment process.
candidates with similar experience outside the state
decisions. Able to tell it like it is and say “no”
are encouraged to apply.
when necessary.
• Models leadership of transparency and customer
service and sets the tone for the organization. Able
The Compensation
to establish rapport of trust and credibility. The salary range is $224,074 - $245,279 annually,
and appointment within the range will be made
• Treats all Board Supervisors equally and is able depending on the experience and qualifications
to navigate the diverse viewpoints of the Board. of the selected candidate. Executive level benefits
Brings conflict resolution skills. Able to work in a may be found on www.peckhamandmckenney.com.
somewhat divisive environment. CalPERS Retirement Plan is 2% @ 55 for Classic
• Focuses on bringing the tough decisions to PERS members; 2% @ 62 for new PERS members.
the Board.
www.peckhamandmckenney.com
www.peckhamandmckenney.com
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