A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

A
Agriculture Commissioner
Directs enforcement of regulatory provisions of the State Agricultural Code. Promotes/protects the agricultural industry in the county.

Animal Control Officer
Enforces the laws and regulations that deal with animals and their owners. Sometimes affiliated with Police Departments or Public Health agencies.

Assessor
Responsible for establishing taxable valuations for personal property and real estate. Handles classification of exempt property. See also “Tax Collector.”

Attorney
Chief legal officer. Defends the city/county against civil suits, enforces ordinances, and serves as legal counsel to the city/county.

Auditor
Responsible for ensuring that programs and funds are efficiently managed. Reviews financial transactions and reports to the public and appropriate legal entities.

Aviation Director
Directs the activities of the government’s airport systems. Develops operational plans/policies, maintains airports, and enforces rules and regulations pertaining to airport safety.

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B
Budget Director
Responsible for planning how resources, especially time or money, will be allocated or spent during a particular period.

Building Official
Responsible for the inspection of new and altered structures and enforcing national, state, and local codes.

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C
City Clerk
The individual who is tasked to accept, file, record, and maintain all municipal records. This position may be either elected or appointed.

City Manager
The City Manager provides direction and general management to the overall efforts of the administration and operation of the municipal functions for the city. This position is often held by a paid professional who is hired by and reports to the elected City Council. In cities with a City Manager form of government, this person has significant control of day-to-day expenditures and may have more practical power to implement programs than the Mayor or First Selectman.

Community Development Director
Directs planning, zoning, building, housing, and redevelopment. See also “Planning Director” and “Zoning Administrator.”

Coroner
Investigates violent, suspicious, and/or sudden deaths that appear to be from other than natural causes. Decides if an inquest is necessary. In some states, coroners have the same powers as the County Sheriff or other peace officers.

County Commission Chair
Person elected or appointed as the head of the county commission.

Court Clerk
Maintains the official court record of cases. The Court Clerk receives all court papers and assigns hearing dates.

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D
Development Services Director
Directs planning, economic development, housing, building inspection, code enforcement, and zoning programs.

Director of Aging
Provides services and programs designed to help elderly residents and their families improve their quality of life.

District Attorney
Represents the county in court cases and prosecutes criminals. Provides legal guidance in criminal matters for various police agencies and county departments.

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E
Economic Development Director
Responsible for developing marketing strategies to promote, retain, and expand business operations in the county.

Elections Director
Administers all county elections, circulates initiative petitions, and educates citizens regarding election rules and electronic voting systems.

Emergency Services Director
Responsible for handling disasters and other emergency situations. Provides training and education of emergency services personnel and the public. Coordinates planning and preparedness initiatives.

Engineer
Acts as a liaison with community groups regarding issues such as water quality, neighborhood improvement programs, and traffic safety.

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F
Family Services Director
Responsible for developing programs that help families cope with a broad array of social and economic issues. Services include counseling, intervention, education, and advocacy.

Finance Director
Manages monetary resources, especially as related to the disposition and investment of cash. See also “Treasurer.”

First Selectman
Similar to the position of mayor, the First Selectman normally administers that city’s day-to-day affairs. For complete coverage of elected leadership, also select “Mayor.”

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G
GIS Coordinator
Responsible for overseeing information collected for use in a database capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information.

Grants Coordinator
Responsible for coordinating countywide grant initiatives, maximizing grant funding opportunities, and assisting county departments and community-based organizations (CBOs).

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H
Health Official
Responsible for preserving and protecting public health, including the adoption of ordinances and regulations. Coordinates with multiple agencies to provide education, programs, and services to improve public health.

Housing Director
Plans, organizes, and evaluates various housing operations

Human Resources Director
The HR Director is responsible for employment including hiring processes, legal compliance, and benefits administration.

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I
Industrial Authority Director
Responsible for industrial expansion. Supports economic development and acts as liaison to local, state, and federal economic development agencies.

Information Technology Director
Responsible for securing and maintaining all IT infrastructures; implementing new or modified applications; and adding new hardware, software, and peripherals.

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L
Land Commissioner
Responsible for managing the use of county-owned land. Reviews land use regulation amendments, and resolves zoning issues.

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M
Magistrate
A judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law. A magistrate’s court may have jurisdiction in civil or criminal cases, or both. For full coverage, also select “ Presiding Judge.”

Mayor
The head of city government (also county government in Alaska, Hawaii, and Tennessee). This elected position may be either a full-time, hands-on administrator or the part-time presiding officer. See also “City Manager.” For complete coverage of elected leadership, also select “First Selectman.”

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P
Parks and Recreation Director
Responsible for administration, operation, and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities. Also plans for acquisition and development of new facilities.

Planning Director
Responsible for overseeing planning, zoning, inspection services, and community/economic development. See also “Community Development Director” and “Zoning Administrator.”

Pollution Control Director
Provides technical assistance in the areas of pollution prevention, resource conservation, waste reduction, by-product reuse, and recycling.

Presiding Judge
Chosen by fellow judges to oversee the workings of the court system. For full coverage, also select “Magistrate.”

Probate Judge
Performs the duties associated with the probate court, such as the administration of estates. In some counties, they may provide a broader range of services to families such as adoption, name changes, and commitment hearings regarding mentally ill individuals.

Probation Director
Manages the probation office, assigns staff, supervises offenders, and monitors defendants not yet sentenced. Coordinates with other agencies on crime prevention and control issues.

Prosecuting Attorney
Responsible for representing the state for all felonies and misdemeanors committed in the county. Conducts investigations, supervises the Grand Jury, provides assistance to victims of crimes, and counsels county officials regarding legal matters.

Public Defender
Attorney responsible for defending people who cannot afford or obtain legal assistance. The public defender’s office is typically funded by the government.

Public Information Officer
Responsible for releasing information to the public through the news media. The public information office serves as a conduit for the media and public inquiries about municipal matters.

Public Safety Coordinator
Manages warnings, evacuation, and rescue associated with life-threatening occurrences. Provides for traffic and crowd control. Works with other departments in emergency preparedness planning.

Public Works Director
Responsible for repair and maintenance of county roads, bridges, parks, levees, and airports. Manages county properties and right-of-ways. May provide support services during emergency events.

Purchasing Agent
Procures supplies and equipment by entering purchase orders. May have limited authority to authorize purchases, serving instead as a support resource for other departments.

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R
Recorder
Makes a complete, accurate, and permanent record of public documents including real estate transactions. Also records birth, death, and marriage certificates. See also “Registrar of Deeds.”

Registrar of Deeds
Records documents that establish ownership of property and birth, death, and marriage certificates. May also be called Register of Deeds. See also “Recorder.”

Risk Manager
Responsible for assuring that claims made for or against the government are processed in accordance with regulations or statutes. Works to minimize the exposure of assets and human/capital resources.

Roads & Bridges Director
Oversees general road maintenance and construction, winter snow removal, sanitary landfill operations, animal control, and dead animal removal.

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S
Street Superintendent
Plans, supervises, directs, and coordinates the reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of streets and alleys. See also “Transportation Director.”

Surveyor
Maintains survey records, sets survey monuments, and reviews property boundary surveys and subdivision plans.

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T
Tax Collector
Responsible for the efficient collection of tax revenues, usage fees, service charges, and licensing revenue.

Transportation Director
Responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving roads and highways. Works with state, federal, and local governments to plan, design, and construct improvements to transportation systems.

Treasurer
Provides a direct voice of the people regarding the management of all cash and invested public funds. See also “Finance Director.”

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U
Utilities Director
Responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating activities including utilities, engineering, electric generation and distribution, water treatment and distribution, and wastewater collection and treatment. See also “Water Director.”

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V
Veterans Affairs Director
Provides advice and assistance for veterans or their families in filing claims for state and federal veterans benefits, social security supplemental income benefits, and other public and private programs.

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W
Water Director
Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates all operations, programs, and activities of the production, water quality, and distribution of the water department. See also “Utilities Director.”

Weed Superintendent
Eradicates weeds in the county. Protects lands within the county from the invasion of unwanted exotic plant species (noxious weeds).

Welfare Director
Directs administration of public welfare programs in a city. Coordinates activities of staff engaged in investigating and counseling welfare claimants and in processing welfare claims.

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Z
Zoning Administrator
Provides technical assistance to the general public, and public officials on zoning matters. Investigates and responds to complaints and alleged violations of zoning ordinances. See also “ Community Development Director” and “Planning Director.

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