Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager

The Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager (County Classification: Principal Administrative Manager) serves as the department’s fiscal lead, guiding the development, management, and analysis of complex budgets while ensuring compliance with all governing policies and supporting long-term financial strategy. In addition to overseeing high-level fiscal operations—including forecasting, cost analysis, billing, contracts, and grants—the role directs key logistical functions such as facilities management, fleet operations, supply procurement, and other critical administrative systems that support daily departmental operations. This position provides strategic recommendations to department and executive office leadership, supervises staff across multiple functional areas, and ensures coordinated, efficient administrative and operational performance across the department.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties

• Manages and directs the administrative, fiscal, budgetary, and assigned administrative functions of the Public Health Department; establishes, implements, and evaluates policies and programs; ensures activities comply with department standards and legal requirements; identifies needs and implements improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Manages department and business activities, flow of information, and communication; oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, projects, and objectives; directs automation and process improvement activities; ensures timely and effective resolution of administrative and operational issues.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of narrative, financial, and statistical records, reports, and documents; directs, develops, and oversees training.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the preparation and administration of large and complex department budgets; reviews, analyzes, and forecasts budgetary and financial data; authorizes and controls expenditures; oversees fiscal operations including accounting, grants, and contracts management; ensures integration of fiscal planning with department goals and service delivery. 
• Provides consultation to executive leadership on administrative and fiscal issues; recommends strategies and solutions to address department-wide challenges; represents the department in negotiations, audits, and high-level problem-solving.
• Formulates, develops, and implements policies and programs of significant scope and impact; oversees preparation and revision of departmental policy and procedural manuals to ensure compliance with evolving requirements and best practices.
• Monitors and evaluates department programs, services, and operations for financial sustainability, compliance, and operational efficiency; directs the development of strategies to address findings and improve outcomes. 
• Ensures departmental compliance with laws, codes, regulations, and legislative requirements through subordinate managers and staff; directs the review and implementation of legislative and regulatory changes; provides guidance to department leadership on policy and compliance implications.
• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects employees; recommends appointments, reassignments, and disciplinary actions; assigns and reviews work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and performance standards.

• Collaborates and communicates with other departments, elected officials, external agencies, and community stakeholders; represents the department on leadership teams, boards, and committees; prepares and delivers presentations on administrative, fiscal, and organizational matters affecting the department. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Click here to view the detailed job description.   

This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices and procedures

• Principles, practices, and techniques involved in directing broad administrative, financial, budgetary, human resources, and organizational management activities
• Advanced governmental budget development and control, including multi-year financial planning, forecasting, fund accounting, and revenue/expenditure analysis
• Methods and procedures for grant, contract, and procurement administration at a large scale, including compliance monitoring and financial oversight
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Project management and evaluation
• Research, analysis, and statistical evaluation techniques 
• Laws and best practices of human resources management
• Effective verbal and written communication and presentation techniques for diverse audiences, including executive leadership, boards, and community stakeholders
• Principles and practices of leadership, including delegation, succession planning, mentoring, evaluation, and performance management for managers and supervisors

Ability to:

• Direct and evaluate broad and complex administrative, budgetary, and organizational operations
• Direct and organize office and business activities and flow of communications and information to ensure effective and efficient outcomes 
• Establish and implement department-wide fiscal and administrative policies; oversee long-range planning, forecasting, and allocation of resources
• Provide strategic guidance on complex organizational issues, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions aligned with departmental priorities and service delivery goals
• Oversee the development and administration of large, complex budgets; monitor fiscal activities and ensure compliance with fiscal policies, procedures, and legal requirements
• Interpret, evaluate, and apply laws, codes, and regulations affecting departmental operations; anticipate impacts of pending legislation and recommend organizational responses
• Direct the effective use of automated systems and technology to enhance administrative and operational efficiency
• Cultivate a culture of accountability, professional growth, and collaboration
• Promote an organized, professional, and safety-conscious work environment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a diverse population of individuals and groups
• Foster effective and positive working relationships with individuals from diverse perspectives by demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, effective communication, advisory expertise, mediation, conflict resolution, and consensus building

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:
Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business or public administration, accounting, or a closely related field. In addition, three years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in finance or accounting, human resources, or other administrative functions, including two years of supervision over professional-level classifications.

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date.  Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca.  Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process.  We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process. 

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcome.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.

Salary : $109,678 - $147,014