County Manager

Jefferson County, Colorado • Full-time • Golden, CO, US • $280k - $320k / year • 3w ago

The Position

Jefferson County is seeking a strategic consensus-building leader to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer to achieve the aims, goals, and mission of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The County Manager is responsible for the administration and management of all assigned departments and divisions and directs the flow of information and advice from department and division directors to the BCC. The County Manager coordinates county resources to accomplish the objectives and direction of the BCC.

The County Manager currently oversees ten positions, which includes the Deputy County Manager, Executive Assistant, and the Directors of Development and Transportation, Business, Innovation & Technology, Human Resources, Human Services, Justice Services, Parks and Open Space, Public Affairs, and Finance.

Additional responsibilities include providing leadership through the planning and development and establishment of new programs, personnel, services, and activities. The County Manager is also tasked with analyzing and interpreting policy and procedural guidelines; formulating, developing, and presenting recommendations to resolve problems and questions; and communicating clearly and concisely with elected and appointed officials and with other public or private organizations and individuals. The County Manager works closely with the Library Director, the Public Health Director, and the Elected Officials in the county, which are the Assessor, Clerk & Recorder, Coroner, District Attorney, Sheriff, Surveyor, and Treasurer/Public Trustee, who oversee their own offices and personnel.

The County Manager represents the county with all levels of county staff, other public officials, media representatives, and the general public.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of local government management experience, which could include city/county/town or similar quasi-governmental entity. Experience should include oversight of human resources, budget and financial management, policy development, and administration, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree and experience working in a city or county with significant intergovernmental collaboration, exposure to TABOR, (Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights) or similar revenue restrictions, and experience with complex transportation, development, open space, and affordable housing issues.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range is $280,000 - $320,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package.

Benefits include medical insurance, dental, and vision (covered at 100%), car allowance, HSA, FSA, Life and AD&D Insurance, disability insurance, retirement savings plans, executive paid time off, holidays, and an employee assistance program (EAP). Other benefits include tuition reimbursement, training and development, and a travel assistance program. The county provides a 401 (a) retirement plan administered by the Colorado Retirement Association (CRA). For more information about employee benefits, visit here and download the 2026 Benefits Guide.

Residency in the county after employment is strongly encouraged and will be tied to relocation assistance.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at raftelis.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. Applications are open until filled. The first review of applications will begin June 1, 2026.