Director of Administrative Services

Salary : $115,627.20 - $140,712.00 Annually
Location : Various Merced County locations, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2600528
Department: Various Merced County Departments
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 20C Management


Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, organizes, manages, coordinates and directs the administrative functions of the department.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual budget and in the administration of the final budget.
• Directs a system of internal fiscal/cost accounting, reporting, and control.
• Develops and implements new and efficient ways to provide services.
• Formulates and implements fiscal policies /procedures, and departmental policy.
• Directs the cost accounting, fiscal, personnel, office services, and general activities of the department.
• Supervises data analysis and program evaluation activities.
• Interprets policies and procedures for management and subordinate personnel.
• Negotiates contracts and leases.
• Develops procedure manuals and provides oversight on departmental personnel activities.
• Confers with representatives of other County departments and government agencies as needed.
• Develops Board Agenda Items.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Directs a system of internal fund and trust account auditing and control.

Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
Four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience that included fiscal management, personnel management and program development. Two (2) years of this experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Education:
Equivalent to graduation from a four (4) year college or university with a degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for required education on a year for year basis.)

License:
Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain, for some positions in this classification.

Essential Functions

• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions; complete multiple priority projects with conflicting deadlines.
• Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
• Establish, implement, and achieve goals and objectives.
• Represent County and Department with the community and other agencies.
• Administer budget, personnel and programs.
• Direct financial operations of the department.
• Make presentations to the Board of Supervisors and other groups.
• Select, train, supervise and evaluate staff.
• Maintain confidential information according to legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Analyze data, interpret and write policies, procedures and regulations, develop appropriate conclusions and prepare reports.
• Frequent operation of a data entry device and repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Frequent use of hand/eye coordination.
• Sitting for long periods of time and walking.
• Occasionally standing, pushing, pulling, bending and squatting to pick up or move objects.
• Occasionally lift and move objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and modern methods of Public and Business Administration with special reference to organizational development, fiscal and personnel management.
• Data analysis and program planning and evaluation.
• Contract development, management, and analysis.
• Political and legislative processes.
• Principles of effective employee management; supervision, training and development.
• Federal, State and local regulations governing department functions.
• Grant administration, generally accepted accounting and auditing standards.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of the Department.
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations, develop appropriate conclusions, and prepare reports.
• Oversee and coordinate Human Resources functions.
• Oversee financial records development and maintenance.
• Analyze administrative problems, reach practical and logical conclusions, and institute effective changes.
• Oversee the development of statistical information and the preparation of a variety of reports.
• Effectively represent the department with the public, other County departments, and other government organizations.
• Organize and present ideas through oral communication and writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
• Coordinate complex procedures for efficient and effective operations.
• Operate a motor vehicle.

Why Merced County? A message from the CEO:
HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
MANAGEMENT LEAVE

May receive, depending upon classification, 96 hours per Fiscal Year.

VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours). Optional annual sell back of a portion of accumulated vacation leave hours (maximum - 40 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled consecutive workdays.

INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

Dental Insurance - Delta Dental

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

Vision Insurance - VSP

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

DISABILITY INSURANCE

Management Disability Insurance - Unit 20 Unrepresented Management Levels A-E - 100% premium paid by employer

LIFE INSURANCE

County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Unit 20 Unrepresented Management:
• Level A & B $85,000
• Level C $55,000
• Level D & E $35,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.


EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.
For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.