Administrative Manager

Salary : $93,246.40 - $124,924.80 Annually
Location : All Locations - San Luis Obispo County, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Salary
Job Number: 1126PM-300831-01
Department: Planning & Building
Division: Planning & Building Administration
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

About the Position

Position

The position will oversee and coordinate the operations of several essential administrative functions, including Human Resources/Payroll, Operations and Building Support, Safety, Training, and Communications. The incumbent will provide dedicated leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to ensure these functions are effectively managed, appropriately resourced, and aligned with the department's overall goals, priorities, and service delivery needs. This position will play a critical role in promoting consistency, accountability, efficiency, and coordination across multiple operational areas. Responsibilities will include overseeing administrative processes, supporting the development and implementation of policies and procedures, identifying opportunities for operational improvements, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, requirements, and departmental standards. The Administrative Manager will also facilitate communication and collaboration among divisions, supervisors, staff, and other stakeholders.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties

(Not in order of importance)

• Directs and oversees administrative, financial, budgetary, and human resources functions of a designated department or division; 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 office and business activities, flow of information, and communication; develops and evaluates procedures, projects, and objectives; organizes automation and process improvement activities for administrative and functional areas; leads the development and implementation of projects, contracts, goals, services, and activities; ensures proper and timely resolution of issues, conflicts, and discrepancies.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of narrative, financial, and statistical records, reports, and documents; develops and coordinates training.
• Formulates and develops policies, procedures, and programs related to assigned areas; ensures the preparation and revision of policy and procedural manuals.
• Advises departmental leadership on the impact of new or pending legislation, regulations, and Countywide policies; coordinates implementation of changes to ensure organizational compliance.
• Monitors and assesses department programs, services, and operations for financial effectiveness and operational efficiency and makes recommendations for improvement.
• 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 the public, departments, businesses, and external agencies to share information, coordinate efforts, and resolve a variety of issues.
• May manage and participate in the development of the annual department budget; reviews and analyzes budgetary and financial data; authorizes expenditures in accordance with established limitations; oversees a large division or department's fiscal operations, including grants, contracts, and accounting activities through coordination with or direct supervision of financial and support staff.
• May manage departmental human resources activities; collaborates with central Human Resources on organizational development, recruitment and retention, leave management, and disciplinary actions; administers disciplinary processes, including drafting and reviewing disciplinary actions on behalf of departmental management in accordance with established procedures and standards.
• May supervise departmental information technology staff or serve as a liaison for automation activities with central Information Technology or external vendors; ensures the effective use of automated systems to support departmental operations; assists in the implementation and maintenance of automated processes; evaluates administrative systems and services for effectiveness and efficiency and recommends improvements.
• May oversee the preparation and dissemination of media or public-facing communications, reports, and other informational materials related to departmental operations, programs, or services.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Click here for the full job description for Administrative Manager.
Click here to learn more about the Planning & Building Department.

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

The Ideal Candidate
The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced, strategic, and collaborative administrative leader with a demonstrated ability to oversee complex, multifaceted operations and lead diverse administrative functions. They possess strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to establish priorities, manage competing demands, and ensure resources are effectively aligned to meet organizational goals. The successful candidate brings a broad understanding of human resources, payroll, operations, facilities and building support, workplace safety, employee training, and communications, along with the sound judgment and administrative expertise necessary to guide these functions effectively. They are skilled at developing and implementing policies and procedures, strengthening operational processes, promoting accountability and consistency, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational standards. The ideal candidate is also a collaborative and approachable leader who builds strong working relationships across divisions and with employees at all levels, fosters a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement, and translates departmental priorities into effective, efficient, and responsive administrative services.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:
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 college or university in business or public administration, accounting, or a closely related field. In addition, two years as an Administrative Officer or other progressively responsible professional-level experience in finance or accounting, human resources, or other administrative functions, including two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
Licenses and Certificates:
Certain positions within this classification may require driving. Positions that require driving as an essential job function will be communicated in the job posting. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid California driver's license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices and procedures
• Principles, practices, and techniques involved in administrative, financial, budgetary, and human resources management activities
• Principles and best practices of governmental budget preparation and control, including forecasting, revenue and expenditure analysis, fund accounting, and multi-year financial planning
• Methods and procedures for grant, contract, and procurement administration, including compliance monitoring and financial oversight
• Use of automated systems and data management techniques to support administrative, fiscal, and operational functions
• 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 interpersonal skills
• Principles, practices, and procedures of supervision, leadership, mentoring, evaluation, training, team dynamics, and team building

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of professional activities involved in the overall administrative, financial, budgetary, and human resources management activities of a designated department or division
• Manage and organize office and business activities and flow of communications and information to ensure effective and efficient activities
• Collect, interpret, and evaluate budgetary, statistical, and accounting data
• Independently prepare, administer, and monitor budgets, including reviewing expenses, projecting revenues, and ensuring compliance with established fiscal policies and procedures
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend or implement effective solutions
• Use a variety of software applications and department-specific systems to perform assigned tasks
• 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

How to Apply

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. To apply for this position, click "apply" at the top of the page. 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 welcomed.

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

Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.

In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them. For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail .

For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage (click here for link).

Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contributio