Bellevue's new director of administrative services got to watch his new bosses in action as a member of the audience at the June 22 council meeting.

Douglas Sample will not begin work as Bellevue's DAS until July 19, but took the opportunity to get a leg up on the job by attending the recent council meeting.

The Ross Township resident has a master's degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh, where he also earned his undergraduate degree in political science and history.

Prior to taking over as Crafton Borough’s manager in July of 2005, Sample worked as assistant borough manager in Crafton for several months. He also served an internship with Upper St. Clair for a year, and worked as the operations manager for the Neville Island Development Association for two years, focusing on the economic development of the nearby community.

Sample will be paid $65,000 per year in salary, and be eligible for three weeks of vacation in his first year, but he will not be covered under the borough's health insurance plan. According to the borough's contract with Sample, he declined health insurance because he is covered under his wife's plan.

The new DAS will be on probation for the first six months of his employment with Bellevue.