Political Science Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer competitive benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! 

The County Manager's Office is looking to fill the position of Assistant to the County Manager.  This position is a critical and highly visible position that provides professional, analytical, and technical support to the County Manager to assist with meeting the demands and responsibilities of the County Manager’s Office.

The full salary range for this position is $107,371 to $161,056.98 annually. The anticipated starting salary range is $107,371 to $147,636 annually. Salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.

This position will remain open until filled, with the first review of applicants anticipated to begin on July 9, 2026.

Responsibilities include:

• Helps lead the development of a high-performing organization through active demonstration of the county’s Pillars of Performance, encouraging leadership and empowerment at all levels of the organization; dedicates QII activities for self and staff; actively mentors, coaches, and collaborates with employees to enhance the county mission and vision, keeping in mind the common goal of leaving our community better than we found it.
• Serves as the principal strategic lead for operations of the County Manager’s Office in consultation with the County Manager. Develops goals and objectives for the operations of the County Manager’s Office and assists with ensuring alignment of CMO functions with countywide priorities.
• Establishes work plans with actionable outcomes and assigns and oversees complex studies, projects, analysis, research, and development activities to ensure workloads are appropriate and that each manager/commissioner has the appropriate level of project and board meeting support.
• Ensures county business operations, processes, and procedures specifically related to agendas, board meeting operations, and record retention schedules are efficient, effective, and consistent for the County Manager, Deputy County Manager, Assistant County Managers, and county commissioners.
• Supervises assigned staff and provides leadership, mentoring, guidance, and performance management; ensures effective, efficient, and consistent operations of assigned staff; identifies, recommends, and implements training and development opportunities to support employee growth and organizational success.
• Represents the County Manager's Office in informal and formal settings, including meetings with boards, committees, community organizations, business groups, and other governmental representatives.
• Serves as the CMO representative, as needed, on various enterprise-wide projects related to organizational needs and process improvements. Assists in managing sensitive, confidential issues.
• Advises the County Manager's executive team on a broad range of organizational, operational, and policy matters, including departmental operations, long-range planning, development of strategic objectives, and negotiation and coordination with various outside organizations on strategic partnerships.
• Reviews and provides recommendations to the executive team on agenda items and Committee of the Whole and Study Session presentations. Provides guidance to departments regarding board processes, policy direction, and follow-through on Board actions.
• Oversees the development of BOCC and CMO department budgets; develops and maintains resource projections for short- and long-term needs; recommends adjustments to ensure fiscal responsibility; handles annual budget resource requests; and serves as the primary user of the various budget office software systems.
• Originates, develops, implements, and enforces administrative policies and procedures necessary to support and assist the County Manager on policy direction of the Board of County Commissioners. Ensures policies are consistent with legal requirements, best practices, and the operational needs of the organization.

Minimum Education/Formal Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in the following field(s) of study: Public Administration, Finance, Political Science, Law, Public Policy, or a related field. Advanced degree (e.g., MPA, JD, or similar) preferred. 

Type and minimum years of experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience within the public sector or relevant experience.  

• Three (3) years leading, directing, supervising, or coordinating the work of others.

Experience may substitute for Education; Education may substitute for Experience.

Johnson County Government requires reference/background screening for all positions.  Specified criteria may vary by Department/Agency.

All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments/agencies in a declared emergency situation.