Deputy Borough Manager (RFT-Exempt)

Salary: $156,208.00 - $169,083.20 Annually
Location : MSB Administration Building, 350 E Dahlia, Palmer, AK
Job Type: Full-time Exempt
Job Number:
Department: Assembly
Division: Administration
Opening Date: 10/15/2026
Closing Date: 11/8/2026 5:00 PM Alaska

Job Summary
The Deputy Borough Manager assists the Borough Manager in the overall administration and operation of Borough government. As a member of the Borough's executive leadership team, this position helps ensure that Borough services, operations, and strategic initiatives are coordinated effectively and aligned with organizational goals.

The Deputy Borough Manager works closely with department directors, elected officials, employees, the bargaining unit, community partners, and residents to address organizational priorities, advance strategic initiatives, and support efficient and effective service delivery. The position serves as acting Borough Manager when designated or in the Borough Manager's absence.

Work is performed and duties are carried out in accordance with established policies, procedures, and Borough core values: Accountability, Customer Focus, Dedication, Integrity, Responsiveness and Teamwork.

This is a non-bargaining unit management position.
Selection Process

Under Alaska Law resumes and applications are public documents. Candidates should be aware that their entire application packet is a public record.
The Borough anticipates utilizing a three-stage selection process designed to gather input from leadership, employees, and elected officials. Information below represents the tentative recruitment process and timeline.
Interview Process

Management Panel

• Borough Manager
• Borough Attorney
• Emergency Services Director
• Finance Director
• Human Resources Director

Employee Panel

• MSBEA President
• Animal Care Representative
• Assessments Representative
• Executive Coordinator
• Fire Representative
• Library or Recreation Representative
• Operations & Maintenance Representative

Assembly Interviews

• Up to five finalists may be invited to participate in an Assembly interview during a special meeting.

Recruitment Timeline

• Candidate Screening: October-November 2026
• Panel Interviews: Week of November 16, 2026
• Assembly Interviews (Finalists): December 1, 2026 (Tentative Date)
• Selection Announcement: Early December 2026
• Anticipated Start Date: January 4, 2027

Pay Grade

W1 - W5 - DOE
Minimum Requirements
Master's degree in a course of study related to the occupational field. The Borough recognizes that candidates may acquire the required knowledge, skills, and abilities through a variety of educational and professional experiences. Additional relevant experience, advanced training, certifications, or other demonstrated qualifications may be considered in lieu of all or a portion of the educational requirement.
Fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience leading programs, operations, organizations, major initiatives, public services, business functions, or other complex areas of responsibility, including:

• Five (5) years of supervisory or leadership experience, including responsibility for directing the work of employees, developing staff, managing performance, and leading teams.
• Five (5) years of senior leadership level experience with responsibility for organizational strategy, operations, budgeting, policy implementation, resource allocation, or enterprise-wide decision-making.
• Experience working in complex organizations with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant organizational, public, or customer impact.
• Experience leading organizational change, performance improvement efforts, strategic initiatives, or operational improvements.
• Experience building productive relationships and working effectively with elected officials, governing bodies, executive leadership teams, employees, labor organizations, community stakeholders, regulatory agencies, or similar groups.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, solve complex problems, use data to inform decisions, and achieve organizational results through collaboration and influence.

A strong preference will be given to candidates who reside in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, or who will commit to relocating within six (6) months from date of hire.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Alaska for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Completion of required Incident Command System (ICS) courses in accordance with established Borough policy.

Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist the Borough Manager in directing and coordinating the overall operations of Borough government.
• Serve as a member of the Borough's executive leadership team and provide recommendations regarding organizational priorities, operational issues, policies, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as acting Borough Manager in the Borough Manager's absence or when delegated.
• Lead performance improvement efforts focused on service delivery, operational effectiveness, accountability, and organizational outcomes.
• Lead efforts to develop and improve systems, processes, metrics, and reporting tools that support data-informed decision-making throughout the organization.
• Assist in the development and implementation of Borough goals, priorities, strategic plans, and organizational initiatives.
• Lead or support special projects, policy development efforts, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Coordinate and facilitate stakeholder engagement sessions related to Borough operations, service delivery, strategic initiatives, and community priorities.
• Assist in the development and administration of Borough operating and capital budgets.
• Evaluate organizational and resource needs and provide recommendations regarding staffing, technology, facilities, equipment, and capital investments.
• Foster effective working relationships among departments, employees, the labor group/bargaining unit, community organizations, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Borough before community groups, business organizations, governmental agencies, and partner organizations.
• Attend Assembly meetings, work sessions, public meetings, and other events as assigned.
• Assist in responding to citizen concerns and resolving complex operational issues.
• Maintain productive relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and external partners.
• Serve in leadership roles during emergency response and recovery operations as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

The Mat-Su Borough offers a variety of benefits to its eligible employees. These benefits include Health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, accident and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, retirement, supplemental benefits (in lieu of social security), deferred compensation, and an employee assistance program. Following is brief description of some of these benefits.
Health Insurance:

The Borough offers group health insurance to all Regular employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week. The plan includes medical, prescription, audio and optional dental and vision benefits. Employees may decline any or all of these coverages. Coverage begins for the employee and family members the 1st of the month following date of employment. Family members include spouse and children under age 26. Beginning July 1, 2022, the amount charged to each employee, with a regular work week of 35 or more hours, will be based on which Tier you select and whether the optional vision/dental coverage is added. That amount will be divided between the first two paychecks of each month. The Borough will pay the remainder of the monthly costs. For employees working at least 30 hours but less than 40 hours a week, if the employee elects to be covered, the employee cost will also be based on the Tier selected and if the optional vision/dental coverage has been added.
Life & AD&D:

All regular full time or part time employees will have life insurance coverage provided by the Borough of $50,000 on themselves, $2,000 on their spouse and $1,000 on each qualified child. The benefit for Accidental Death & Dismemberment on the employee is $50,000.
• Employees may purchase additional life insurance through the State of Alaska Supplemental Benefits System.
Retirement:

PERS Tier IV (applies to employees first entered into PERS service on or after July 1, 2006): Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System is mandatory with a contribution rate of 8%. The Borough portion is as follows: Defined Contribution Plan - 5%; Health Plan - 0.86%, Health Reimbursement Arrangement - $94.92 (per pay period), Occupational Death & Disability - 0.24%.
PERS Tier I, II, & III (applies to employees first entered into PERS service prior to July 1, 2006): Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) is mandatory with a contribution rate of 6.75%. The Borough portion is 22%.
For further information, go to the state of Alaska's website at www.state.ak.us/drb.
Alaska Supplemental Benefits System:

The Supplemental Benefits System (SBS) is in lieu of Social Security and is mandatory. An employee contributes at 6.13% of gross wages, matched by the Borough (6.13%), on the present wage base of $176,100.
SBS offers other various benefit options which are fully explained on their website at www.state.ak.us/drb.
Deferred Compensation Plan:

The Borough offers a Deferred Compensation Plan to eligible employees. The maximum amount an employee may defer in any taxable year is 100% of taxable wages or $23,500, whichever is less. Employees over the age of 50 may contribute an additional $7,500 and ROTH $7,000.
Holidays:

The Borough recognizes 11 paid holidays (plus 1 floating holiday). Regular employees with a regularly scheduled work week of less than forty (40) hours shall receive holiday pay on a pro-rated basis.
Personal Leave:

Personal leave will begin accruing the first day employment, however, it will not be available until after the employee has completed three (3) months of service. Accrual rates are as follows:
0 through 1 years 6 Hours per pay period

1 through 2 years 6.93 Hours per pay period

3 through 5 years 8.77 Hours per pay period

6 through 10 years 9.7 Hours per pay period

11 years and longer 11.64 Hours per pay period
Regular employees with a regularly scheduled work week of less than forty (40) hours shall accrue leave on a pro-rated basis.
01

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Please describe what impact you will have on the Borough if selected for this position?
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