Eau Claire County seeks an exceptional leader to succeed its current County Administrator, who is retiring after more than ten years in the position. Nestled in west-central Wisconsin, the city of Eau Claire (Population 70,542) serves as the county seat. The County’s many charming communities each offer their own unique character and housing options. Together with Chippewa County and Dunn County, the broader Chippewa Valley region boasts a population exceeding 210,000 and enjoys excellent connectivity to major metropolitan areas, just under 100 miles from Minneapolis-Saint Paul and 175 miles northwest of Madison. Eau Claire County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Wisconsin. Leveraging that growth for the benefit of the community will be one of the challenges for the next County Administrator.
The salary range for the position is $152,692 to 191,526 DOQ, plus excellent benefits.
The County provides a diverse range of programs in areas including public safety, health and human services, transportation and public works, land use and conservation. The County owns and operates a regional airport in partnership with neighboring Chippewa County. A $142M total annual (expense) budget supports 656 funded, full-time equivalent employees. The County Administrator is the County’s chief administrative officer and carries out the duties and responsibilities set forth in Section 59.18 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The Administrator is appointed by and reports to a twenty-nine-member Board of Supervisors. Priorities for the new County Administrator include guiding stakeholders to develop sustainable long-range budgeting practices, maintaining quality services under strict statutory levy limits, and building productive relationships with Supervisors, staff, and other governmental entities.
Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in public or business administration, finance, or a related field, with a Master’s degree preferred. Considerable experience in a responsible management or executive administrative position in a comparably complex organization, preferably in county government administration, is recommended. The ideal candidate will have exceptional and verifiable financial and budgeting skills, a strong foundation in strategic planning as well as a stable employment background. Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and the ability to develop creative solutions to problems are critical. The County seeks a servant leader; an approachable and collaborative team builder with open and positive communication skills.
Email cover letter, resume, five professional references and salary history as a single PDF to Jon Hochkammer, Public Administration Associates, LLC at smcdade@public-administration.com. Include Eau Claire County Administrator Search in the subject line. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Mr. Hochkammer at (608) 225-3024. The deadline for applications is June 27, 2025.
Confidentiality must be requested by applicant but cannot be provided for those candidates who are selected as finalists. Eau Claire County is an equal opportunity employer.
PAA is a local government management consulting firm in the Midwest, specializing in the State of Wisconsin.