Jim Colangelo in the running for new County Parks director.

Jim Colangelo just can't quit Monterey County. 

As his management specialist gig with former Sheriff Scott Miller wrapped up—Miller's last day was Dec. 31; newly elected Sheriff Steve Bernal was sworn in today—Colangelo was already pursuing a new job as Monterey County parks director.

He says he's one of about five candidates in the second round of interviews, happening this month.

County Parks has been without a permanent director since Mike Ferry departed last May, after less than a year on the job. The department has been struggling with a budget shortfall, though it's managed to avoid planned layoffs so far.

Assistant County Administrative Officer Nick Chiulos has been on double duty, acting as interim parks director since Ferry's departure.

Colangelo was Monterey County's chief assistant administrative officer for a decade, then city manager of Pacific Grove from 2005-2008.

After a couple of years retired, he took the job as Sheriff Miller's right-hand man, working less than half-time as a consultant. The arrangement allowed him to keep collecting his pension under the California Public Employees Retirement System. The parks director job, however, would be full-time and require him to reinstate with CalPERS.

Colangelo owns his rep as a change agent, saying County Parks could benefit from some bold moves. “It needs somebody looking at the structure of the organization, and the revenue stream, to try to get everything balanced out," he says. “Anybody who goes in here is going to have to make some changes and tough decisions.”

And in case you're curious: He lives in an actual house in Monterey, not on his boat. “That was a rumor I guess I started [after retiring]," he says, "by saying I’d become a pirate."