Is there a worse combination?
Do you know what a county administrator makes? In CoCo County, $345k. STG. I think I am daring myself to apply, just because I have large cajones.

Does anyone even know what a county administrator does? The job description sounds pretty vague, like, hell, I could do that. Is that just my arrogance speaking? I mean, it’s not like Secretary of State, in charge of voting for christ’s sake. Let’s take a peek:

County Administrator’s Office

 The County Administrator’s Office is responsible for:

  • Staffing the Board of Supervisors and Board committees – (I’ve done plenty of hiring and interviewing in my career, I feel truly qualified to do this)
  • Overseeing implementation of Board directives – (This means making sure stuff gets done, right? I do that everyday!)
  • Planning, monitoring, and overseeing County operations – (The Sheriff, the Jail, the Correctional Centers, the Parks? Yea, they got staff and I can certainly provide some oversight there, couldn’t you?)
  • Ensuring that Board policies are carried out in the most efficient, cost-effective, and service oriented manner – (I’d hire an auditor, or implement a civil grand jury to keep everyone on their toes/best behavior.)
  • Supervising appointed Department Heads and performing general administrative duties – (Making sure there is coverage for work to get done while your staff-folks take vacations and have babies and whatnot. I do this in my job as a Senior Manager everyday.)
  • Preparing the annual budget – (I’m a master of a financial spreadsheet, and managing budgets that are set realistically, collaboratively!)
  • Administering the County’s labor management relations program, including managing the collective bargaining process, grievance investigations, providing training and counseling to managers and employees, as well as problem resolution – (Dealing with the unions. I dated a union boss (IATSE) when I was in my 30’s. Oddly, this may give me some insight into how to negotiate. Also having worked service jobs much of my career, I have empathy for the county’s labor “resources” aka People.)

County Administrator’s Mission

  • Work with the Board of Supervisors, Department Heads, and other agencies to provide the highest level of services, using available resources, to the people of Contra Costa County – (Teamplayer!)
  • Increase intergovernmental cooperation and public access to government – (What, like through usable websites for example? This is what I do.)
  • Assist Department Heads in translating Board policy, direction, and County vision into coordinated operating plans – (This is like product roadmapping, been there, done that!)
  • Provide vision, advise, and assistance to Department Heads in establishing the environment and tools that will allow the County to move forward in fulfilling its mission – (Provide Vision? Let me show you!)
  • Preserve the fiscal integrity of the County – (Of course!)

Ok so I’m certain someone who actually does this job and earns this salary will put me to shame for all this arrogance, thinking I could walk on and do that job. But doesn’t it seem pretty generic? Managerial, generally? Don’t you feel you could do it, for $345,000 per year?