Chief Administrative Officer

Albemarle County sustains responsive and accessible services to its community members while emphasizing professionalism and efficiency. Recognized for quality services and innovative programs, the County maintains a comparatively low tax rate and is committed to a High Performing Organization (HPO) model that values creativity, learning, and innovation. Leadership at all levels encourages staff involvement, collaboration, and accountability.

About the Department

The Facilities & Environmental Services Department (FES) maintains and improves the County’s physical assets, including government buildings, public sidewalks, and other infrastructure. FES oversees planning and construction of major capital improvements, coordinates with the Community Development Department to protect natural resources, ensures compliance with federal environmental laws, promotes pollution prevention, and minimizes waste. The department also maintains County buildings and libraries, provides copy and mail services, building security, fleet management, and supplemental care of public roads.

FES values service to the community, employee development, workplace culture, fiscal and environmental stewardship, and strategic coordination with community partners.

About the Role

The FES Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) serves as the manager of operations for the department, leading an experienced, engaged, and high-performing team. The successful candidate will:

• Develop and lead major initiatives
• Collaborate closely with other departments on projects impacting the County
• Partner with other agencies to effect positive change for the greater Albemarle, Charlottesville, and University of Virginia region
• Be challenged by the work and enjoy working with a professional, motivated team

Responsibilities

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) oversees and manages the administrative functions of the Facilities & Environmental Services Department, including staff services provided to the broader organization. This position serves as a key advisor to the Director, leads strategic initiatives, and ensures alignment of administrative and staff services with the department’s mission and goals.

• Lead and manage the Administrative Services Division, including workload planning, performance reviews, and professional development
• Direct department-wide administrative functions: budgeting, HR support, procurement coordination, performance management, recruitment, and strategic planning
• Drive improvement of department-wide business processes (work order flow, invoice processing, onboarding, policy revisions, interdepartmental coordination)
• Develop and maintain performance metrics, dashboards, and reports related to budgeting, procurement, service requests, and operational performance
• Provide actionable insights to FES and County executive leadership
• Coordinate and support departmental IT systems (asset management, Tyler/MUNIS, GIS, procurement, timekeeping, performance systems, document management) in collaboration with ACIT’s assigned system analyst
• Develop, administer, and monitor the FES operating and capital budgets in partnership with division managers
• Maintain and update administrative policies, SOPs, and desk guides; ensure staff compliance and coordinate internal audits
• Oversee customer service functions to ensure timely, accurate, and equitable service delivery across FES
• Assist in departmental Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning for severe weather, infrastructure failures, or other incidents
• Oversee records management, retention schedules, and public records requests in coordination with the County Attorney/Clerk’s Office
• Ensure administrative compliance with safety training requirements, incident documentation, and after-action reporting
• Oversee procurement processes and contract administration for equipment, services, and facilities management
• Direct internal communication protocols to support organizational and operational efficiency
• Direct the use and maintenance of technology and data analytics for community and financial reporting
• Prepare and present reports, analyses, and recommendations to the Director, County Executive, and/or Board of Supervisors
• Provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to Administrative Services staff; establish work priorities and performance expectations
• Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development, coaching, and team building

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related area of study or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible administrative or management experience
• Experience with budgeting and procurement/contract/grants management
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Excel, SharePoint, Teams)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Possession of a valid Virginia Driver’s License and compliance with the County’s Safe Driver Policy

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Facilities Management, Engineering, or a related field
• Experience in public sector or public works
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Tyler/MUNIS) and CMMS platforms
• Experience with GIS, including interpretation, analysis, and application of geospatial data for facilities planning, asset management, environmental compliance, and operational decision-making; familiarity with tools such as ArcGIS Online, spatial dashboards, and map-based reporting
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), including designing interactive dashboards, developing automated performance reports, building data models, and translating complex datasets into clear visual insights

Skills

• Financial Acumen: Ability to build accurate budgets, manage variances, and support fiscal accountability
• Data & Analytics: Skilled in data analysis, visualization, and analytics platforms such as Excel and Power BI
• Service Orientation: Strong commitment to supporting internal and external clients through high-quality services
• Compliance & Ethics: Ensures transparent and compliant procurement, reporting, and records management practices
• Operational Excellence: Streamlines workflows, improves work standards, and drives efficiency
• Leadership & People Management: Coaches and develops staff; fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment
• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicates effectively with leadership, staff, vendors, and the public; handles sensitive situations with diplomacy
• Change Management: Leads implementation of new systems and policies; champions continuous improvement
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Uses metrics to inform operations, resource allocation, and performance management

Work Environment

• Duties are normally performed in an office and meeting setting; meetings may be held in a virtual or hybrid environment
• Occasional travel throughout the County
• Sitting for extended periods during meetings
• Extended periods at a keyboard or workstation
• Ability to exert light physical effort, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 25 pounds
• Regular contact with internal and external organizations and the general public for exchanging information, exercising judgment, and addressing questions with tact and diplomacy
• Some duties require visual perception and discrimination; some require oral communication ability

Pay

The anticipated range of compensation for this position is $117,839 - $130,243, dependent upon the candidate's education and experience.

Benefits

• Low-cost health insurance
• Generous paid leave
• Membership in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

Schedule

12 months, full-time exempt position. This position is not eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.