CHARLESTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
This is an exceptional opportunity to provide leadership and management to one of the most vibrant and progressive county governments in the United States and one of the largest county governments in South Carolina. With a population of 332,000, Charleston County operates under a Council-Administrator form of local government. The nine-member elected County Council is the governing body of Charleston County. The total County budget for FY 2008 is $365.5 million, and there are approximately 2300 full-time County employees.
The County Council of Charleston County is seeking a proven, dedicated, visionary, innovative and experienced individual for its new County Administrator. The County Council prefers an individual who has a background in county administration or management and who is a strong visionary leader, manager and administrator. The successful individual will possess as a minimum a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with a major in Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field. A Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field is desirable. An ICMA Credentialed Public Manager would also be desirable. The ideal candidate should possess at least eight years of progressively responsible experience as Chief Executive Officer of a smaller or equivalent size growing diverse local government entity. Experience as an Assistant/Deputy County or City Administrator with a larger growing diverse local government entity with a population of at least 100,000 would also be considered.
Charleston County Council employs a County Administrator who is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the County. The Administrator has direct authority over the Departments which the Council has direct authority over. The County Administrator serves at the pleasure of the County Council and exercises no authority over any elected official whose offices were created either by the Constitution of the State of South Carolina or by the General Law of the State. In addition, the Administrator is responsible for preparing an annual budget and managing the County’s annual expenditures and special projects. The County Administrator of Charleston County serves as the Chief Executive of County Operations.
Charleston County is a culturally diverse and progressive county government. The County Council is the legislative and policy making body of Charleston County. The nine-member County Council is elected in the November general elections from single member districts for four-year staggered terms beginning on January 1 of the year following their election. Council elects a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for a one-year term at its first meeting in January following the general election. Prior to the 2004 election, Council members were elected at-large with residency requirements. A court decision modified the election method, requiring candidates to run from single member districts.
Charleston County is located along the southeastern coast of South Carolina. The County encompasses approximately 919 square miles of land, marshes, rivers and wetlands with a coastline that stretches nearly 100 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. Charleston County contains vital protected areas including the Francis Marion National Forest, Cape Roman National Wildlife Refuge and ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. Charleston County’s population has grown 7.1 percent since 2000 to an estimated 2006 population of 331,917, with a median age of 36. The labor force consists of approximately 155,555 workers, with a median household income of approximately $39,233. Around 88.3 percent of Charleston County residents have a high school diploma or higher level of education, while 37.5 percent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The starting salary for the County Administrator of Charleston County will be market competitive, depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected individual. In addition, the County provides an excellent fringe benefit package and will provide reasonable relocation expenses to the successful candidate.
For additional information on this exceptional opportunity, please contact James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at 770-551-0403; mercer@mindspring.com.
Resumes should be sent by close of business, September 26, 2008, to James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 5579B Chamblee Dunwoody Road, #511, Atlanta, GA 30338. Voice: 770-551-0403; Fax: 770-399-9749. E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com; Website: www.mercergroupinc.com. Charleston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority and Female Candidates are Encouraged to Apply.
Click here to download brochure