In order to get hired in the position of County Administrative Officer, you will need to have extensive qualifications. These include a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in public administration, or a related field, from an accredited university. In addition, most counties hire only experienced personnel in this position, which is usually seven years in a public administrative position. You must also have an in-depth knowledge of the laws of the state in which you work or are looking for employment in this capacity.
In addition to the educational qualifications needed for the job of County Administrative Officer, you must have some personal characteristics that you bring to the job. You must be able to adapt quickly to changing issues and the changing viewpoints that can develop within the county. Since you will report to a Board of Supervisors on all matters, you will need to have an open and trusting relationship with the members of this board. Problem solving skills are a must for this position and it would be great if you have the knowledge necessary to be able to foresee problems and therefore have solutions in place. You will need to be a good strategist and be able to develop effective strategies that will benefit the county.
Since you will be dealing with a large number of people in the position of County Administrative Officer, you should have exceptional interpersonal skills. There will be times when you have to become a facilitator and bring opposing groups together to discuss a problem and find solutions. This also means you have to have patience and be able to control your temper in certain situations. Overall, you need to have a sense that the County is only a small part of the region and that you must be able to work with other county administrations.
The coursework you do in your university degree and your experience should prepare you to take on the position of County Administrative Officer. Understanding the revenue streams of the county is essential because you need to know how the county gets its funding. Through this you will be expected to find new methods of funding. You will have to direct the preparation, analysis and evaluation of each annual budget and in some cases find ways of saving money. In dealing with the employees of the county, you will need to be knowledgeable about negotiating contracts and the proper format to take when making large acquisitions or leases agreements. Improvement of the infrastructure of the county is another of the responsibilities of this position and you will have to plan and develop a plan of improvement in accordance with the County Policies.
