Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Haines Borough staff posted the advertisement for the newly-created community and economic development director position on the borough website Tuesday.

 The starting annual salary is $62,000 and the position includes medical benefits, Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) retirement, annual leave, sick leave, personal leave and paid holidays.

  Manager David Sosa pulled the job description off last week’s assembly agenda, stating he had authority to craft the description without assembly approval.

  Sosa said he solicited input from assembly members and took into consideration comments and concerns voiced at previous personnel committee meetings regarding the draft job description.

  Assembly member Debra Schnabel suggested at a personnel committee meeting she would like to see the educational requirements for the position elevated from a bachelor’s degree in any subject to either a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in a field related to community and economic development.

  The official position description approved by Sosa Tuesday included a change similar to Schnabel’s request. The description requires a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, public administration or community/urban planning, and states a master’s degree is preferred.

  However, the description also says “relevant experience may be substituted for specific area of study.”

  The full-time, non-union position will supervise the pool manager, tourism director, and community and youth development director. The position also will provide staff oversight and coordination for the Downtown Revitalization Committee.

  The assembly voted to create the new position when it passed the budget in May. It also eliminated the executive assistant to the manager position held by Darsie Culbeck.

  The job description notes that “other qualifications being equal, preference in employment shall be given first to borough employees and then to residents of the Haines Borough.”

  The hire will be subject to a one-year probationary period.

  A job description and application at www.hainesalaska.gov or at the borough office on Third Avenue.

  Applications are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 15.