The position of County Administrator was created by the Home Rule Charter adopted on November 8, 2005. The County Administrator serves as the chief administrative officer and supervises the administrative offices of the executive branch (that are not overseen by elected executives).

The County Administrator is a key position in helping to provide for an accountable and responsive County government by ensuring effective, efficient and economical administration in accordance with the County Charter, the Washington State Constitution and other applicable federal, State and local laws, as well as County Policy

The County Administrator exercises the executive powers of the County that are not expressly vested in other specific elected officers by this Charter. Specific duties are outlined in Section 3.43 of the Home Rule Charter. The County Administrator is responsible for such duties as presenting the annual budget, overseeing use of technology, reporting to the County Council on activities of the government, reporting on budget expenditures and compliance, and carrying out the policies of the County Council.

Veteran government administrator Robert W. Jean became County Administrator Pro Tem in June, 2012, with the departure of  Pete Rose, who served six years as the County's first administrator under its new charter. Jean retired as City Manager of University Place, Washington in 2010 and had subsequently served as interim administrator for the City of Gillette, Wyoming, for seven months; followed by six months as interim administrator in Lake Forest Park, Washington.

Jean agreed to see the County through the process of creating its 2013 budget and the recruitment of a new County Administrator.