Start A Career As A County Commissioner

If you are a good decision-maker and trust your problem-solving skills, then you should try to be a county commissioner. Perhaps you have seen county officials and have always wondered how they got to where they are now. Well, in this article, we will tell you how you can get there yourself.

County government jobs are administrative divisions of the state. Through constitutions and statutes, there are several powers and authorities which these counties are supposed to exercise and follow. In this position, it would help if you were well versed in your state government. Thankfully, the good news is that such information about your state is readily available online. 

If you are interested in working within your local government, you’ll want to continue reading this article. Learn more about what it takes to become a county commissioner below.

county commissioner

Eligibility To Become A County Commissioner

You must be a full-time resident within the state for a specific period of time to even start applying for these jobs. You also must be at least 21 years old and above. Furthermore, you also must have a clean record; in other words, you must not have been convicted of any crime.

Whether you are a lawyer, teacher, doctor, business person, freelancer, or even a farmer, this job does not discriminate. Everyone is welcome to apply. 

If you want to work in a prominent county, you might have to obtain a master’s degree or Ph.D. in a related field such as business administration or any other managerial course. While looking at governors, mayors, and other people in public sectors, they might have a simple bachelor’s degree. This is because most of these positions don’t require any specific educational qualifications.

Roles And Responsibilities Of A County Commissioner

Part of your job description will be to come up with strategies and plans that will push the county’s agenda ahead. You will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing various organizations and departments. Other responsibilities will include the following.

  • Overseeing the organizational budget and financial activities
  • Appoint heads and managers of different departments
  • Work on approving of negotiating agreements and other contracts
  • Find ways of improving performance and also cutting costs where necessary
  • Consult with other board members about the company’s operations 
  • Oversee and direct general production of different products and services

All of this will depend on the size of the county. 

Qualities Necessary To Succeed 

Excellent Communication Skills

This skillset cuts across almost every profession. How will you be able to work if you cannot communicate with your colleagues about what is going on within the county? You must be able to discuss issues, explain different policies, and talk about possible solutions.

Decision Making Skills

As you set different policies within the organization, you should be able to have excellent decision-making skills for everything to run smoothly. From the many options given to you, you should be able to choose one that will work best for your area.

Leadership And Management Skills

You should be able to lead successfully without any bias. Furthermore, you should be able to successfully lead the county and also be able to coordinate people, resources, and policies.

Problem Solving Skills

Are you able to come up with solutions for whatever issues you will be facing? Are you ready to foresee shortcomings and therefore devise possible solutions? If yes, then you are set to begin your career.

county commissioner

Bottom Line

If you feel you are qualified to start working, then go ahead and apply for jobs within your state. If this has always been your dream, then hopefully these tips will help you get started as a county commissioner. We wish you the best of luck as you apply for jobs.