HUMAN SERVICES ASSISTANT FISCAL MANAGER

Assistant Manager, Human Services Department

At La Crosse County, we are committed to creating a vibrant, safe, and inclusive community. Guided by our Strategic Plan, we focus on economic growth, environmental stewardship, affordable housing, and robust public services that enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Why Join La Crosse County?

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS): A top-rated pension program.
• Affordable Insurance Premiums: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick, and 10+ paid holidays annually.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible schedules and wellness programs.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): At La Crosse County, we believe that diversity strengthens our community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued.

Overview

FLSA: Exempt. Hybrid Position. This is a professional leadership role within the Finance Department responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of fiscal functions and leading staff performance and accountability efforts across the Human Services Department. Under the general direction of the Human Services Fiscal Manager, the Assistant Manager oversees fiscal and contract staff, coordinates key workstreams, and ensures team activities align with the department's mission, operational goals, and County values. The position plays a central role in developing and maintaining internal systems that track performance, promote staff excellence, and ensure efficient service delivery, while ensuring operations and reporting systems meet regulatory requirements and support efficiency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Essential Leadership Functions

Act with Integrity and Build Trust

• Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions
• Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints
• Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives

Drive for Results

• Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes
• Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results
• Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring

Develop Talent and Effective Teams

• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth
• Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential
• Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team

Lead with Vision and Strategy

• Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives
• Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully

Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking

• Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives
• Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment
• Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others

Build and Maintain Effective Relationships

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization
• Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking
• Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders

Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service

• Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community
• Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes
• Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization

Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

• Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations
• Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks
• Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others

Essential Job Functions

Supervises assigned fiscal and contract staff, including work planning, performance evaluation, professional development, and conflict resolution.

Leads daily operations in areas such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, insurance billing, vendor procurement, data reconciliation, and workflows.

Provides coaching and technical support to staff on operational procedures and best practices.

Supports recruitment, onboarding, and scheduling for assigned team members.

Encourages a culture of accountability, collaboration, and open communication within the team to promote professional growth and operational excellence.

Oversees department-wide Key Performance Indicator (KPI) tracking systems and dashboards.

Coordinates cross-functional workstreams to ensure alignment with department goals and service standards.

Tracks progress on operational goals and provides status updates to the Fiscal Manager and other leaders.

Responds to data and reporting requests and prepares draft reports, charts, and materials for internal stakeholders.

Analyzes data to identify trends, measure performance, and develop actionable insights that inform leadership decisions.

Develops and maintains standard operating procedures and internal control documentation.

Identifies opportunities for workflow improvement, cost savings, or performance enhancements.

Collaborates with Information Technology and other County departments on system improvements and data integrity efforts.

Monitors implementation of audit recommendations and internal process updates.

Leads implementation of process improvements, automation initiatives, and system enhancements that advance departmental priorities.

Acts as first point of contact for internal and cross-departmental coordination on routine fiscal, contract, and performance matters.

Facilitates team meetings, internal updates, and other staff communications.

Attends internal committees or task forces related to operational excellence and fiscal performance.

Collaborates across Human Services sections to promote integration, consistency, and efficient service delivery.

Supports cross-functional initiatives that strengthen fiscal transparency and alignment.

This is a public service position, and employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and the clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors, and public officials.

Related Job Functions

May represent the Fiscal Manager in meetings or serve on project teams.

Assists in development, monitoring, and evaluation of program and department budgets. Provides data-informed recommendations to ensure cost-effective and compliant operations.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected in this role. It is not a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. The Assistant Manager is expected to take initiative and assume additional responsibilities as needed to ensure the effective operation and improvement of the section.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated experience supervising staff and coordinating teams.

Strong understanding of financial operations, internal controls, and performance measurement.

Ability to coordinate across legal, risk, and purchasing functions to ensure alignment of fiscal operations with enterprise policies.

Proficient in data analysis and presenting operational findings to diverse audiences.

Skilled in planning, organizing, prioritizing, and delegating work.

Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies in a government environment.

Skilled in Microsoft Office and data visualization or dashboard tools.

Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to think strategically, manage change effectively, and lead initiatives that advance equity, efficiency, and service quality across operations.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field required.

Minimum five (5) years of experience in fiscal operations or business analysis; at least two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred.

Experience in government, nonprofit, or human services sectors highly desirable.

Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: La Crosse County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you need accommodations for a disability during the selection or interview process, please get in touch with Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Application Process: All applications must be submitted through our career website. Please ensure your application is complete and accurate, our hiring process highly values attention to detail.