The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the agency and is responsible for directing and coordinating the administrative affairs of the agency; assist in developing and carrying out organizational and policy matters; developing and overseeing agency programs and services.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates innovation and sound judgment in planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating the operations, programs, activities, and services of all MIDAS departments.
• Prepares and submits annual operating budget to the Board of the agency in a timely manner and in the proper format.
• Develops financial management plans and strategies for consideration and approval of the Executive Committee and Board.
• Implements the approved budget.
• Regularly apprises the Executive Committee and Board of the agency’s financial condition, and of anticipated future funding needs.
• Recommends to the Executive Committee appropriate staffing needs and solutions to fill those needs.
• Develops and oversees implementation of organization’s rules, policies, and procedures.
• Appoints, suspends, and terminates all agency employees according to applicable law and organizational policy.
• Supervises the official conduct of all employees.
• Approves promotions, transfers, reclassifications, job evaluations, demotions, disciplinary actions, and other personnel actions.
• Develops and implements appropriate training programs for agency employees. Oversee the employee grievance system and appeal process.
• Initiates policy recommendations for consideration by the Executive Committee and Board and responds to requests from municipal and county governments in the region for research or recommendations on policy issues.
• Prepare agendas for all meetings of all Executive Committee and board as required by state law.
• Oversees purchase and inventory of materials and supplies.
• Supervises the performance of all contracts for work done by the agency.
• Supervises the construction, improvement, repair, maintenance, and management of all agency property.
• Makes recommendations regarding financing of all agency projects.
• Recommends to Executive Committee appropriate agency programs and policy directions.
• Complete all required financial reports and grant compliance reports in a timely manner and in the proper format.
• Represents the agency to the media and community groups.
• Signs and execute contracts on behalf of the agency.
• Participates in state and federal advocacy activities through state and national associations and local coalitions.

Find out more about MIDAS Council of Governments, the position and benefits by visiting https://www.iowacog.com/applications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skill and abilities.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and objectives of public administration, including extensive knowledge of financial administration, generally accepted accounting principles, and personnel management.
• Knowledge of municipal operations, standards, and practices, including knowledge relating to public relations, economic development, land use and urban planning and zoning, transportation planning and programming, and public transit.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to counties, municipalities, and Council of Governments in Iowa.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to municipalities, particularly the following areas of municipal and county governments: legislative process; finance; property assessment and taxation; budgeting and accounting; revenue financing; public employment; contract letting; bonding; urban renewal; economic development; and zoning.
• Ability to perform complex and varied work, interpret technical information; gather and analyze financial information; conduct statistical analysis and prepare related reports; and analyze complex information in order to make sound decisions and recommendations.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, co-workers, department heads, public officials, and the public.
• Ability to proficiently operate standard office equipment and personal computers with software programs for word processing, spreadsheet , email, etc.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in personnel management including the ability to effectively interview, hire, train, assign, motivate, counsel, and discipline employees, and the ability to direct and evaluate the work of employees.
• Ability to safely perform a range of physical activity including walking, standing, bending, twisting, kneeling, and climbing; using hands and arms to grasp or reach; and lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to attend work regularly at the designated place and time and ability to work under strict time constraints.
• Sufficient personal mobility that permits the employee to work in an office environment and to travel throughout a six-county region to meet with elected and appointed officials.