Job Details

Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department is seeking an experienced, on-site Fiscal and Administrative Manager to lead the Public Health fiscal team. The Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager (County Classification: Principal Administrative Manager) serves as the department's fiscal lead, guiding the development, management, and analysis of complex budgets while ensuring compliance with all governing policies and supporting long-term financial strategy. In addition to overseeing high-level fiscal operations—including forecasting, cost analysis, billing, contracts, and grants—the role directs key logistical functions such as facilities management, fleet operations, supply procurement, and other critical administrative systems that support daily departmental operations. This position provides strategic recommendations to department and executive office leadership, supervises staff across multiple functional areas, and ensures coordinated, efficient administrative and operational performance across the department.

Typical tasks and representative duties include managing and directing the administrative, fiscal, budgetary, and assigned administrative functions of the Public Health Department; establishing, implementing, and evaluating policies and programs; ensuring activities comply with department standards and legal requirements; identifying needs and implementing improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency. The role also involves managing department and business activities, flow of information, and communication; overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, projects, and objectives; directing automation and process improvement activities; ensuring timely and effective resolution of administrative and operational issues.

The Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager prepares and maintains a variety of narrative, financial, and statistical records, reports, and documents; directs, develops, and oversees training. The position plans, organizes, and directs the preparation and administration of large and complex department budgets; reviews, analyzes, and forecasts budgetary and financial data; authorizes and controls expenditures; oversees fiscal operations including accounting, grants, and contracts management; ensures integration of fiscal planning with department goals and service delivery.

The Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager provides consultation to executive leadership on administrative and fiscal issues; recommends strategies and solutions to address department-wide challenges; represents the department in negotiations, audits, and high-level problem-solving. The role formulates, develops, and implements policies and programs of significant scope and impact; oversees preparation and revision of departmental policy and procedural manuals to ensure compliance with evolving requirements and best practices.

The Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager monitors and evaluates department programs, services, and operations for financial sustainability, compliance, and operational efficiency; directs the development of strategies to address findings and improve outcomes. The role ensures departmental compliance with laws, codes, regulations, and legislative requirements through subordinate managers and staff; directs the review and implementation of legislative and regulatory changes; provides guidance to department leadership on policy and compliance implications.

The Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager supervises, mentors, and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects employees; recommends appointments, reassignments, and disciplinary actions; assigns and reviews work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and performance standards. The role collaborates and communicates with other departments, elected officials, external agencies, and community stakeholders; represents the department on leadership teams, boards, and committees; prepares and delivers presentations on administrative, fiscal, and organizational matters affecting the department.

The Principal Fiscal & Administrative Manager performs other related duties as assigned.