County Executive Officer

County Executive Officer

County of Santa Barbara, California

The County of Santa Barbara is one of the most desirable places in the world to live and work. The County is a mix of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes located on a 122 mile stretch of California’s pristine and breathtaking central coastline. The County includes a strong economic base in tourism, agriculture/wine, healthcare, technology and a variety of other industries.

It is comprised of a diverse base of 455,000 residents including 140,000 residents in unincorporated areas and eight incorporated cities and it encompasses 2,745 square miles. The County is a complex, high-performing organization of approximately 4,740 employees in 23 departments that operate in a dynamic fiscal, political, and community environment and with strong foundational systems, experienced department leadership, and a highly engaged Board of Supervisors.

The County of Santa Barbara is seeking applicants for County Executive Officer. The ideal candidate has experience as a County Executive or Assistant Executive with competency in public finance and budgeting, health and social services programs, organizational development, performance management and accountability, and project accomplishment. Key professional attributes necessary are integrity, respect of governance structures, leadership, collaboration, confidence and humility.

The position requires a combination of education and experience that would likely provide the knowledge and skills to perform the variety of tasks of the County Executive Officer. A typical background would include significant executive level experience in a County or similar complex public agency and an advanced degree in public administration or another relevant field. The salary range is $311,706 to $405,231 with placement based on experience and qualifications.

The County provides an excellent benefit package.

For this exciting career opportunity, please confidentially apply through our website by March 27, 2026 at:

Peckham & Mc Kenney

Resumes are acknowledged within two business days. Call Tony Dahlerbruch at  for more information. A detailed brochure is also available at