Chief Deputy Drain Commissioner

County of Newaygo•White Cloud, MI

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Newaygo County Drain Commissioner is seeking a professional to fill the leadership role of Deputy Drain Commissioner. The selected candidate will be responsible for managing office operations and schedules, maintaining accounting and financial records for over 200 individual drains within the County, and representing the Drain Commissioner at various meetings and in the community. This role requires excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, accounting, and computer skills, along with a strong work ethic. While familiarity with drain codes is preferred, on-the-job training will be provided. Newaygo County offers a generous fringe benefit package, including an employer-sponsored retirement plan and health insurance with no payroll deduction.

Requirements

Associates Degree or equivalent with advanced coursework in office administration, accounting, civil engineering, or related field.
Three or more years of progressive responsibility in an administrative support role.
Experience with financial and accounting systems.
Must maintain a valid Michigan driver's license.
Must obtain State Certification for Construction Stormwater.
Must obtain State Certification for Comprehensive Soil Erosion and Sediment Control.
All offers of employment are contingent upon passing a background check and drug screening, which includes marijuana.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with drain codes is preferred.

Responsibilities

Represents the Drain Commissioner in that official’s absence.
Approves drain work orders, accounts payable vouchers, journal entries, permits, and other legal documents as necessary.
Responsible for daily oversight of the work flow, including coordinating, prioritizing, and scheduling projects and assignments of office and field staff.
Responsible for training and development of staff, interceding with difficult customers, and assisting with operational and procedural inquiries.
Maintains effective working relationships among employees.
Responsible for the annual review of the proposed office budget and making recommendations regarding funding and shortfalls.
Monitors the office budget throughout the year and makes arrangements for line item transfer requests.
Approves all office purchases and completes the accounts payable process.
Prepares legal documents related to County drains, lake levels, Board of Public Works, and lake boards, including but not limited to Release of Right of Way, property easements, contracts with maintenance vendors, and landowner agreements.
Schedules public hearings, publishes notices, and maintains legal files.
Ensures that all meetings, legal proceedings, and documentation meet the requirements of the Michigan Drain Code and other applicable statutes and laws.
Coordinates meetings with attorneys, engineers, township officials, committee members, financial consultants and institutions, and contractors as necessary.
Establishes amortization schedules on multiple year assessments.
Prepares breakdowns of amortization schedules on request by determining the portion of acreage and assessment for each split parcel.
Responsible for the accounting functions for all drainage districts, lake levels, lake boards, soil erosion, Board of Public Works, and other accounts related to the Drain Commissioner, including debt projects.
Maintains separate accounts and charges the proper accounts for maintenance work, equipment usage, supplies, etc.
Works with the Treasurer’s Office and the County Administration Office to ensure proper transfer, adjustment, and recording of funds.
Balances all accounts on a monthly basis.
Responsible for the preparation of assessment rolls for drains, lake levels, and lake improvement boards.
Ensures property descriptions of all land in the district are included.
Reviews property records for changes in ownership since last assessment and ensures that proper amounts are assessed.
Processes data to determine benefit factor, benefit percent, and dollars to be assessed.
Exports special assessment amount to appear on the winter tax rolls.
Invoices Newaygo County, Townships, Michigan Department of Transportation, railroad companies, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources for drain assessment at large.
Responsible for utilizing and accurately entering vital information into various computer programs.
Responds to inquiries from residents and contractors explaining drainage districts and assessment procedures, identifying assessments, unpaid balances and interest, lake levels, lake board issues, soil erosion, and hazardous waste collection.
Responds to inquiries from banks, mortgage companies, title insurance companies, and individuals about drain assessments on parcels.
May attend various meetings such as but not limited to the Board of Commissioner meetings, Department Head Meetings, Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners (MACDC), Northwest District Drain Commission meetings, Board of Determination for drain projects, Hearing of Apportionment for lake boards, Tax Tribunal Appeals, bid openings, and preconstruction meeting for road projects.