Rob Garrity, Norfolk’s newest Town Administrator, believes in local government. For the past 30 years, he’s been a member of various town committees, including Select Board, Advisory Committee, the Personnel Committee and the Zoning Board.

He’s blended that experience with plenty of work within state government, including positions within the administrations of four governors. Garrity has also worked in the energy and environmental fields, even working as sustainability director for the city of Newton.

“I love government,” said Garrity. “I love being able to solve problems.”

A native of Plainville, and graduate of King Philip Regional, Garrity began his career in public service while still a student at Northeastern University. As part of his coop program, Garrity worked for the campaign of U.S. Senate candidate Jim Rappaport, who was running against John Kerry.

Three decades later, Garrity was back working at Northeastern when he heard that the Town Administrator position was available. “There was some turnover” in that position, he said, noting that it was the third time Norfolk was seeking a Town Administrator in six years.

Although he was happy at Northeastern, Garrity decided to apply for the position. “Local government is so important to me,” he said.

He became Town Administrator in January, succeeding Justin Casanova-Davis. “I’m still learning a lot,” he said, adding that he’s been getting “great support” from fellow town administrators in Norfolk County, including Plainville and Wrentham.

“It’s been a great two months,” he said. “I want to provide the town with some stability,” given the town is also welcoming a new police chief and building commissioner.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rob as our new Town Administrator,” said Anita Mecklenburg, the chair of the Select Board. “His experience at the state level and roots in Norfolk make him an excellent choice. He has hit the ground running. The Select Board is building a strong partnership with him, and the staff has been very welcoming. We are looking forward together.”

Garrity said the biggest challenge facing the town is the annual budget – “it’s a $50 million operation” that’s trying to become less dependent on free cash and other short-term financials, he said.

“It’s endemic to just about every community in Massachusetts,” he said, adding that the budget depends on “what level of service we want, and how to pay for it.”

A resident since 1995, Garrity said Norfolk is “a beautiful town, with nice open space. It still has that small-town feel.” He added that he appreciates the efforts of residents who volunteer to help run the town. “New England still has a strong volunteer effort,” he said.

In addition to local government, Garrity worked in state government for more than 30 years, starting with the office of state Sen. Lucile P. Hicks, then within the offices of governors Paul Cellucci, Jane Swift, Mitt Romney and Charlie Baker. He became a specialist in sustainability and renewable energy. During the Baker administration, Garrity worked for the Department of Transportation as deputy chief of staff for the Strategic Innovation Group.

Garrity has also worked in the nonprofit sector, including the Mass. Climate Action Network and the Conservation Law Foundation. His recalled his work with the Central Artery Project (including efforts to build a north-south rail link, which has yet to happen) and the Charles River Project, which started as a state effort to build a network of trails; the project was eventually converted to the building of the Leonard P. Zakim Bridge.

“It’s kind of neat to look back on that,” he said.

Garrity’s wife, Kim, is a math teacher at the Blessed Sacrament School in Walpole. They have two grown children.