COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE – SENIOR STRATEGIC AIDE

Minimum Qualifications
Acceptable Experience and Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field from an accredited university or college, and five (5) years of experience with emphasis in performance management, strategic planning, business or public administration, governmental/public agency accounting, budget and data analysis, and contract management with proven ability in a position requiring oral communication, writing, research, analytical, organizational and computer skills necessary to accomplish the job;

Orany equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Typical Duties
Essential Duties

Coordinates the County-wide Performance Management System to implement the County’s Strategic Plan and develop performance measurement plans, and making recommendations for improvement or modifications;

Performs high level collaboration and participates in systemic work groups, performing high level data analysis and presentations, at the direction of County Administration;

Coordinates and manages a performance measurement system for activities with emphasis on collecting and summarizing data both manually and digitally, reporting observations, making recommendations, and assisting with operational decisions or modifications, on behalf of the County Administrator, to County or departmental procedures;

Works with and assists departments in the development of performance objectives based on the County’s strategic plan; tracks, monitors, evaluates and reviews programmatic performance of departments;

On behalf of the County Administrator, provides oversight to department staff regarding meeting their strategic plan objectives;

Conducts interviews; collects, analyzes, summarizes data, and interprets results; prepares flow diagrams, charts, and tables; develops recommendations and observations; prepares descriptive information and reports for strategic planning and budgeting purposes; and makes presentations;

Communicates performance measurement standards to all members of the organization; researches, prepares, and distributes status reports; makes presentations regarding findings, observations, and recommendations to, Chief Administrator and as directed, communicates to departments, and Commissioners Court;

Creates department performance reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis; presents findings to key system stakeholders; makes recommendations regarding data and process improvements;

Coordinates updates to the County’s strategic plan as approved by the County Administration Office, and facilitates input from elected officials, department heads and other County staff in the strategic planning efforts;

Analyzes reports and other output required to perform the duties for the department, and provides recommendations for improvement;

Provides policy analysis and program evaluation assistance for Capital Projects and other special projects in the areas of budget, community and economic development, criminal justice, emergency management, human resources, transportation, planning, human services, public works, facility management, legislative issues, and other areas as requested;

Communicates with local, federal, and state officials and representatives to identify resources, programs, funding, and legislation that impact, affect, and enhance the efficiencies, operations, and opportunities of County programs;

Provides organizational performance improvement strategy, direction, advice, and counsel to Department Heads, Elected Officials, supervisors, and employees, on behalf of the County Administrator;

Analyzes, designs, and assists with the development of organizational and individual programs and processes that result in improved performance;

As directed, interacts with department heads, elected officials, and others using sufficient detail leading to effective decisions, agreement, or rejection on complex issues; diplomacy is required; e.g., problem-solving discussions regarding responsibilities, budget and finance, workflow, or how to meet a goal or performance metric;

Coordinates with Directors to assess each department’s process capability as part of performance management and strategic plan implementation;

Educates Directors and stakeholder concerning El Paso County’s performance management and strategic plan requirements;

Works with departments to identify key performance indicators;

Identifies performance measures and creates outcome reports that demonstrate operational adherence to El Paso County strategic plan;

Completes quality assurance checks on performance measures reported;

Compiles and recommends yearly strategic outcome measures (scorecards) to determine strategic goal(s) impact;

Develops reports assessing strengths and weaknesses of implementation and identifies key areas for improvement respective to each department;

Participates in the development and updating of performance measures and management and policies, procedures, and master plans with both short- and long-term goals and objectives; provides quality service and work product as a part of the overall departmental and County-wide strategic direction;

Creates and maintains positive working relationships with all levels of County directors, Elected Officials, managers, and employees;

Participates in studies and benchmarking with other local governments;

As directed, may act as a representative for executive management and serve as a liaison to other professional organizations and governmental entities;

Stays current on pending and upcoming County issues, best practices in performance management and strategic plan tracking and reporting;

Completes special projects as assigned, working on a wide variety of financial, administrative, professional, management and community issues and problems of medium to high complexity;

Handles confidential information;

Attends and participates in professional group meetings and stays abreast of new trends and innovations in county operations;

Gathers, organizes, and summarizes information on strategic plan and performance management; prepares various routine and complex reports, tables, graphs, and statistical summaries; monitors and verifies the status of strategic goals and ensures County Administrator is kept appraised on all matters;

Assists departments and provides work guidance regarding performance management and strategic plan, including but not limited to, solving issues through analysis, reviewing requests, ensuring policies and priorities are communicated;

Presents recommendations to management in matters relating to technical solutions and/or improvements to data collection processes;

Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions, various meetings, and conferences;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment and trust through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties*

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;

Works extended hours and weekends as needed;;

Occasional out of town travel for professional conferences and meetings;

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment;

Drives to other locations within the County

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor

Job Summary
Summary of Position

The Senior Strategic Aide under general direction manages the County-wide performance management system. The position works with department leaders to develop performance plans, monitors programmatic performance, and makes recommendations for process improvement. In addition, as the County’s priorities evolve, the position works with County leadership and stakeholders to update the Strategic Plan and ensure the plan stays a living document.

Additional Information
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles of management, administration, benchmarking, action plans, milestones, initiatives, goals, objectives, mission, vision, best practices, strategic plan development and performance measurement techniques; demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, project development, administration, budgeting, evaluation and program implementation; applicable federal rules, regulations and guidelines and be able to read, interpret, understand, and apply federal, state and private funding requirements as necessary; business and management principles involved in strategic planning, funding and resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources; performance management; data management and generating statistical outcome reports; federal, state and local laws; principles and methods of managing organizational change, and organizational development; generally accepted policies, practices and procedures in public sector administration and operations, including budgetary development and control practices, human resource management, planning, program development; thorough knowledge of the theories, concepts and practices of organizational development, implementing organizational effectiveness and leadership development programs; statistical methods and analysis; survey design, and staff development principles and practices; personnel policies, procedures and guidelines; court structure; modern technologies; standard business computer applications; technical report writing, and diplomatic relations; County organization, operations, policies and procedures; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.

Skills/Ability to: interpret quantitative and qualitative information dealing with complex abstract and concrete variables to identify, analyze, and solve practical management problems of considerable difficulty; Must have strong ability to analyze and identify problems, solutions, and project results and to adhere to strict deadlines;?work both independently and within a close-knit team; relate to people well by building professional relationships and must know how to handle difficult situations; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing and to prepare and arrange a variety of written, statistical, and illustrative materials in an organized required format;?persuade and influence behavior changes; negotiate and mediate resolutions to problems within and across department lines to improve organizational effectiveness; maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion; research, collect, and interpret data; advanced computer experience to create spreadsheets, databases, publications, graphic materials, narrative reports, application submissions and correspondence and be knowledgeable in techniques of conducting research including Internet research; provide feedback, question processes; visualize creatively and to effectively translate technical information into visual media; participate in professional development; keep on learning new techniques and best practices; be innovative in solving problems and in handling tasks and responsibilities; lead and apply organizational and change theories; develop rules, policies and guidelines; prepare executive level reports and correspondence; learn principles and practices of materials and service needs; present reports and recommendations to departmental management; work under tight deadlines; quickly understand business objectives; identify related issues; be self-starting, self-managing, possess execution-oriented capabilities; optimize plans and execution with urgency; demonstrate a proven track record in achieving results; be proficient with MS Office.

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance; financial and performance data analysis, strategic planning, etc.; quickly grasp diverse concepts and analyze efficiency in operations; processes mapping for efficiencies; Interpret federal, state and local laws and regulations prepare specifications and contract for a large diversity of items; analyze and make sound recommendations; Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;

• Work well with others and participate fully in a team-oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Chief Aide

Directs: May oversee interns and other staff as assigned; Provides guidance on performance management to departments.

Other:Has frequent contact with elected officials, department heads, county employees, board members, and thegeneral public.