Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras with approximately 106,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget, capital investments and other funds of more than $1 billion. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.

Bernalillo County

Department of Human Resources

Job Descriptions

What does the red Zia symbol mean? The Zia sun symbol represent the four cardinal directions, the four seasons of the year, the four period of each day (morning, noon, evening, and night), and the four seasons of life (childhood, youth, middle age, and old age). The centre of the sun symbol stands for life itself. The yellow field with red symbol pays recognition to the Aragon Realm of the conquistadors and their homeland in Spain.
JCM909: Chief of Staff (CoS)

Chief of Staff (CoS)

Job Code
Grade
Bargaining Unit
JCM909
EX14
None
       
       
Salary
As Hourly
As Annual
155,750.00 - 233,633.00 USD Annual
$74.88 - $93.60 - $112.32
$155,750.00 - $194,688.00 - $233,633.00

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief of Staff (CoS) serves as a senior advisor and key member of the Bernalillo County Executive Team, reporting directly to the County Manager. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight across multiple critical functions including policy development, budget coordination, government affairs, strategy, communications, cultural affairs, marketing, and community engagement and outreach. The Chief of Staff ensures effective alignment of County initiatives, manages cross-departmental priorities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the County Manager on organizational strategy, and policy

  • Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of countywide strategic initiatives.

  • Provide leadership in cross-departmental collaboration to ensure policy, budget, and communications are aligned with organizational goals.

Policy, Budget, & Government Affairs

  • Provide executive leadership and oversee policy research, analysis, and development to support evidence-based decision-making.

  • Provide executive leadership in directing the County’s budget planning, monitoring, and reporting functions in collaboration with the Finance Division.

  • Lead the County’s government affairs strategy, including legislative tracking, advocacy, and engagement with state and federal partners.

Communications, Marketing & Cultural Affairs

  • Provide executive leadership for the County’s communications strategy, ensuring clear, consistent, and transparent messaging across all platforms.

  • Provide executive leadership for cultural affairs initiatives, events, and programming that highlight and strengthen the County’s cultural identity.

  • Provide executive leadership marketing and branding efforts to support community awareness, engagement, and trust.

  • Provide executive leadership for the design, graphics, and creative services to ensure professional, cohesive County-wide visual communications.

Community Engagement & Outreach

  • Provide executive leadership and lead and expand outreach strategies to strengthen relationships with residents, businesses, nonprofits, and community stakeholders.

  • Provide executive leadership for community engagement initiatives to ensure County services and programs are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to public needs.

  • Foster partnerships that advance equity, inclusion, and cultural connections.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field required.

  • Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government, public administration, or related fields.

  • Minimum of three (3) years in a managerial role.

  • Demonstrated experience in policy development, strategic planning, budget oversight, and communications.

  • Experience working with elected officials, intergovernmental partners, and community stakeholders.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master's degree in related field.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES

  • Strong leadership and organizational management skills with the ability to lead diverse teams and initiatives.
  • Expertise in public policy, government operations, and budget administration.
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with ability to convey complex information clearly.
  • Strategic thinker with ability to anticipate challenges and develop proactive solutions.
  • Deep understanding of cultural affairs, marketing strategies, and community engagement practices.
  • Commitment to equity, transparency, and public service.

SCREENING AND COMPLIANCE


The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following:

  • Successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.

  • Comply with the safety guidelines of the County.

  • Complete required FEMA training(s) as assigned to the position.

  • Complete required supervisor classes, if applicable.

  • Possess a valid New Mexico driver’s license by the employment date, or obtain within 90 days of hire, and maintain it while employed in this position.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Duties are performed indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.

  • Duties are performed on an even, typically dry surface, such as concrete, tile, or carpet.

  • Work is conducted with a select team without direct supervision and may at times involve working with a large group.

  • May be required to work extended hours.


EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS

  • Equipment typically used includes a telephone, computer, printer, and copy machine.

  • May occasionally drive a County vehicle.
Revision: 10/21/2025 4:04:18 PM