Charles Hakkaart will commute from his home in Balclutha for the part-time job, and spend about three days a week working from the Central Otago District Council offices in Alexandra.
Speaking at the end of his first week, which began on Monday, November 17, he said there was ''a lot to learn''.
''[I will be] catching up with where things are so I'm up to date with what council is working on at the moment.
''I have been made very welcome by the team there and I'm looking forward to getting out and meeting the councillors and the community board people.''
Major projects he would work on included waste management and development of the long-term plan.
He was looking forward to providing help and leadership where required.
Although he would be continuing with some part-time work for Civil Defence, he said his priority would be with the council.
Mr Hakkaart began his career as an engineer before starting work for the Clutha District Council in 1989.
He spent about 25 years managing the council's assets department, before becoming the chief executive in 2005, a position he held until last year.
The previous Central Otago District Council chief executive, Phil Melhopt, finished on November 14, after five years in the job, and begins as chief executive at PrimePort in Timaru next month.
The process of employing a permanent chief executive for the council is under way, with contenders described as ''promising'' by Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper.
