Well, time for another change in the look of Sheldon's Personal Journal, as Summer officially started on June 21 (so, a little late, I know).

Along with the Summer start, I picked up my first (but most likely, not last) sunburn of season.  My shoulders are pissed off at me.  Not that I blame them.  I think the feeling is a little mutual.  Sleeping has been a problem the last few nights, and all I have to say is thank god for the invent of fans.  Open windows and fans are my new best friends for the next few days.

OK, enough about my lame-ass sunburn.  On the plus side, I'm becoming more and more official in my position as Deputy City Clerk every day.  I've been added to the company phone directory, received my name plaque on my office, picked up my business cards, and completed my Notary Public training (although waiting on the test results).  It's nice to get more comfortable in the position, and as time passes, I'm learning more and more about what's expected of me.  I definitely think this is a job I can see myself in for a long time to come.  Plus, being a government employee isn't a bad position to be in...

So, after 6 weeks, 2 interviews and numerous days wondering what might happen, I was officially offered the position of Deputy City Clerk with the City of Fillmore on May 6th.  I know, I'm a little late with the update, but there it is.

The job officially closed for applications on April 9, and then Angela Mumme (the Human Resources Officer) started the process of scheduling the interviews.  I had my first interview on April 28th with Angela, Ted Schneider (City Attorney) and Steve McClary (former Administrative Services Manager).  I'm not going to try and sugar-coat it, it was stressful.  Sitting across the table from the people who would have my future with the City of Fillmore in their hands made me incredibly nervous.  As it turns out, Ted is also the attorney for both Gold Coast Broadcasting and Athena Cosmetics - two of my previous employers.  Just reminded me how small of a world this really is...

I thought that interview went well, and by the following Friday, I was told that the Transitional City Manager would like to have a second interview with me.  Another incredibly stressful thought.  The Transitional City Manager, who had only been on the job for a week at that point, was a wild card for me.  I didn't know much about him, and I wanted to impress upon him how much I wanted this job.  I had already been in the role for 6 weeks by then, and I knew what would be expected of me, should I get the permanent position.  The second interview was scheduled for Tuesday, May 5th.

By the time the interview came around, I was ready to get it over with.  I had heard rumors around City Hall that the interviews with Larry Pennell (the Transitional City Manager) were down to just myself and one other person.  Again, something else to add to the pressure.  I had come down to a 50/50 chance at either getting the job or screwing it up and sending myself back into the Temp Pool again.  Had that happened, I don't know how long it would have been before I was given the chance at another position like this one.

The interview with Larry was intimidating.  I wasn't sure what to expect, and when it came down to it, it felt like we connected on a lot of ideas for the future of Fillmore.  When the interview was over, I thought that however it turned out, I wasn't going to worry.  I had done the best I could, so I would be happy with myself.

The next day, I was called into Larry's office (which isn't unusual, as I often help him with items), but to my surprise, they offered me the position.  There are a few items that need to be taken care of first, which include completing the required 720 hours through AppleOne, but nothing that can't be handled.  I still have to complete a background check and a physical, but again, nothing that can't be taken care of in an afternoon.  The background check is already in the process, and I'm just waiting on a date to take my physical (Hello, doctor!), but things are quickly moving forward.

I've started to settle into the position more, now that I know it's mine permanently.  I look forward to implementing a few things that should help make my job a little easier, and learning everything there is to know about how local government works.  Larry is going to be a HUGE help in that aspect.  He's got years of experience that I can use to pick his brain on questions I may have.  Plus, we agree on the direction that the City of Fillmore should head, especially regarding public records and all the documents in City Hall.

It looks like it's going to be a fun ride.  My first job as a government official.  Kind of weird to say, but incredibly cool at the same time.  Lots of pressure too, now that I'm a public official.  Oh, and if you want to reach me, you can find me at ssherman (at) ci.fillmore.ca.us.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Whew, thanks for reading all of that.  I know it's a lot, but I thought you might want to know what happened.

So, it seems that as I wrap up my 4th week on the job, I'm feeling more and more comfortable in the position as the Acting Deputy City Clerk for the City of Fillmore.  I can only hope that the powers that be like me enough to let me continue in the job as a permanant city employee.

Everyone at the Fillmore City Hall has been super nice to me, and have gone out of their way to make sure I have what I need.  Even the Mayor knows me by name, which I find kind of odd, since I was use to working in jobs where the higher-ups could care less what your name is.  The joys of small town living.  I guess that's why Fillmore has the title "The Last Best Small Town."

The application process for the Deputy City Clerk position officially closed yesterday, and now it's up to the staff to start scheduling interviews.  I'm sure I'll find out more next week, and hopefully, I'll be able to get my interview out of the way as soon as possible.  Even in this situation, where I know the people at City Hall, I know I'll be nervous going into the interview.  I'd hate to screw up my chances by saying the wrong thing or offending someone.

It even seems that some of my co-workers have even starting Googling me already.  I had a co-worker approach me last week and said they were impressed with my singing.  I asked how they knew, and he admitted to looking me up online.  His exact words were, "You have a lot of stuff online."  I'm not sure if that means he just looked at my singing videos, or if he stumbled onto this journal as well.  Either way, I don't have anything to hide.  It's just odd to hear of someone who actually Googled me.

In my search for work, I've found myself (temporarily) at the City of Fillmore as the Interim Deputy City Clerk.  It's a nice job.  I love the people, getting to be a part of government in action, and working in a small town like Fillmore.  After my first week at the City Hall, I'm starting to get into the groove of how things work.

When I was working on Friday, I overheard my co-worker, Angela, talking to a potential applicant for the Deputy City Clerk position.  It sounded like things weren't going very well, and Angela was getting a little irritated with said applicant.  After she got off the phone, I asked what the phone call was about and she mentioned that the applicant was being difficult.  She said it was probably someone she didn't want to work with anyway.

At that point, she asked me if I was going to apply for the job of Deputy City Clerk.  I was amazed.  After only three days on the job, she liked me enough to suggest I stick around and handle the job permanently.  It's something I'd love to do on a regular basis, and I think it'd be a great addition to the Fillmore City Hall.

I'll be filling out my application today and turning it in tomorrow.  Hopefully, I'll know something about the status of the job by the time my temporary work is done there.  If I could stick around and become a permanent employee, I'd be one happy Deputy City Clerk.