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County Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Description Linn County is committed to creating a Customer-Center Culture placing our internal ... Drafts and negotiates plea agreements; participates in pretrial hearings and case management ...

Washington County is seeking a Systems Administrator to lead the management of our critical server environment, enterprise systems, and data infrastructure. This is an opportunity to play a key role ...

Kitchen Manager

Council Bluffs, IA · On-site

$18 - $25/hr

ANNOUNCEMENT & PURPOSE OF POSITION Pottawattamie County Conservation is announcing the hiring of a full-time seasonal Kitchen Manager. This position will run from November through March or the ...

Showing results 21-40

County Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$36.4K

$104.9K

$181.5K

How much do county manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for county manager in Iowa is $104,907.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,892.00 and $118,744.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a county manager?

County managers are appointed officials responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a county government. They implement policies set by the county board or commission, manage county departments, prepare budgets, and ensure efficient delivery of public services. County managers act as the chief administrative officer and often serve as a liaison between elected officials, county staff, and the public. Their role is essential in ensuring that the county runs smoothly and that local government functions are carried out effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a county manager?

To thrive as a County Manager, you need a strong background in public administration, budgeting, and organizational leadership, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in public administration or a related field. Familiarity with government management software, financial systems, and regulatory frameworks is essential. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills help build consensus and lead diverse teams effectively. These skills ensure efficient county operations, sound fiscal management, and the ability to address complex community needs.

What are some common challenges a county manager faces when balancing the needs of different departments and stakeholders?

County Managers often encounter the challenge of allocating limited resources while addressing the diverse needs of various departments, elected officials, and community groups. This requires strong negotiation and communication skills, as well as the ability to prioritize initiatives that align with the county's strategic goals. Balancing transparency, fiscal responsibility, and political considerations is a daily part of the role, and successful managers foster collaboration among departments to achieve the best outcomes for the community.

What is the difference between County Manager vs County Clerk?

AspectCounty ManagerCounty Clerk
Primary ResponsibilitiesOversees daily operations, implements policies, manages budgetsMaintains official records, issues licenses, manages elections
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's degree in public administration or related fieldOften requires a high school diploma or associate degree; some positions prefer experience in record-keeping or administration
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, government departmentsClerical offices, public service environments
Employer & Industry UsageLocal government, county administrationsCounty governments, municipal offices

The County Manager and County Clerk roles serve different functions within local government. The County Manager focuses on managing operations and implementing policies, often requiring advanced education in public administration. The County Clerk handles record-keeping and administrative tasks related to elections and official documents. Both roles are essential for effective county governance but differ significantly in responsibilities and qualifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of County jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of County jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for County Manager jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most County Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various County Manager job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,907 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Sunnycrest Manor Human Resources Manager

Dubuque County

Dubuque, IA • On-site

$102K - $117K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Description The Human Resources Manager supports all aspects of Human Resources at Sunnycrest Manor, including hiring, benefits, leaves, payroll, and company policies for work-related matters. Job Duties The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position.

Other duties may be required and assigned. Hiring/Recruitment: Keeps job postings up to date. Schedules and conducts interviews as necessary.

Moves new hires through the entire onboarding process, including background checks, abuse registry checks, DCW, and OIG screening. Attends job fairs and events to improve recruitment. Employee Relations: Addresses employee concerns.

Works with the Union on negotiations. FMLA Administration: Maintains FMLA compliance for eligible employees. Maintains confidentiality for employees regarding FMLA.

Monitors and tracks all FMLA paperwork and hours used. Updates supervisors on return-to-work information. Workers' Compensation: Administers workers' compensation.

Ensures accurate and timely reporting of incidents in compliance with OSHA standards. Works with workers' compensation to establish return-to-work guidelines and parameters for employees. Payroll: Reviews and maintains overall payroll as necessary.

Adds and edits payroll information including wage rates, earning codes, overtime, insurance, and tax information for review by the business office. Ensures all documentation is accurately submitted and consistent with applicable laws, union contracts, and county policies. Benefit Administration/Compensation: Manages wage and salary administration for employee increases and cost-of-living adjustments, ensuring accurate and timely submittal of information for Board of Trustees approval and payroll.

Administers and maintains employee benefits. Completes wage comparison studies to recommend wage increases to the Board of Trustees for approval, with the assistance of the Administrator as necessary. Employee Discipline: Works with supervisors to address disciplinary actions, working through the disciplinary process up to and including separation of employment when necessary.

Gathers and submits unemployment hearing information. Attends unemployment hearings. Sends Loudermill notices.

Employee Education: Provides education to employees as necessary. Audits and ensures staff are completing required education per federal regulations. Employee Investigations: Conducts employee investigations, making recommendations as necessary.

Other Duties as Assigned: Performs other duties as assigned by the Administrator. Minimum Qualifications Education and/or Experience Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources and 6 to 7 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements: Must pass the prescribed pre-employment abuse registry review and criminal background check.

Must be authorized to work in the United States. Dubuque County does not sponsor work visas or provide immigration sponsorship. Supplemental Information In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.Thorough knowledge of; Human resources principles and practices, including recruitment, benefits administration, payroll, FMLA, workers' compensation, and employee relations

General knowledge of Applicable federal, state, and county employment laws, regulations, and union contract requirements. Ability to: Proficiently use MS Word and Excel, and learn payroll systems and other standard office equipment. Communicate ideas effectively, orally and in writing.

Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, the Administrator, and the Board of Trustees. In evaluating candidates for this position, Dubuque County may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.Physical Requirements Requires sitting for extended periods of time, with moderate frequency of standing, walking, and climbing

Requires low-frequency carrying/lifting of 10-25 pounds and 25-50 pounds; carrying/lifting over 50 pounds is not required. Requires vision, hearing, taste, or smell abilities needed to handle communications and interactions with staff and applicants (moderate frequency). Requires moderate-frequency squatting, crouching, kneeling, or bending, and repetitive hand/foot movement (e.g

computer use, filing). Requires low-frequency pushing, pulling, or reaching above the shoulder. Work Environment Work is primarily performed indoors in an office environment (high frequency).

Low-frequency exposure to outdoor weather conditions, such as when attending job fairs or offsite meetings. Low-frequency exposure to irritated, agitated, or hostile individuals when addressing employee relations, discipline, or investigations. Low-frequency exposure to bodily fluids/communicable diseases, hazardous fumes/odors/toxic chemicals, electrical hazards, and noise greater than 85dB, consistent with a residential care facility environment.

Low-frequency work-related travel (e.g. job fairs, unemployment hearings, training). Exposure to confined spaces, close proximity to moving machinery/equipment, and working alongside moving traffic is not required

EOE/ADA Statement Dubuque County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Dubuque County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.