Process to fill CDA job begins
The CDA director job pays $66,611.48 annually.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city's Civil Service Commission will give a written test Oct. 1 for those wanting to replace Jay Williams as the Community Development Agency director.
Williams resigned from the position April 22 to run as an independent candidate for mayor. The federal Hatch Act prohibits classified civil service employees, such as Youngstown's CDA director, to run for a partisan office such as mayor.
Shortly after Williams' resignation, Mayor George M. McKelvey appointed Mary June Tartan as the agency's temporary director.
Tartan, who has worked at the city agency for about eight years, was temporary director for about six months in 2000 after former director Kevin M. Kralj quit and before McKelvey hired Williams in October of that year.
Tartan can serve as director on a temporary basis for up to six months. Tartan said she isn't interested in taking the civil-service test for the director position.
The commission will accept applications until Sept. 29 at its 7th-floor office in city hall on West Boardman Street from people interested in taking the test. The test will be given at 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at the Choffin Career Center on East Wood Street.
The job's annual salary is $66,611.48, what Williams made before he resigned.
Duties
The CDA's duties, according to the commission test notice, include planning, developing, coordinating, directing and monitoring the agency's programs and activities. The agency's budget this year is $5.26 million.
The CDA director supervises the agency's staff; works with government agencies, private groups and the public to develop projects to eliminate or prevent blight; direct the presentation of the agency's budget; work with programs for low- to moderate-income residents; and prepare all necessary records and reports.
The "desirable qualifications" for the job, according to the commission test notice, includes a bachelor's degree in public or business administration, planning, urban affairs or related fields with post-graduate work. Also, applicants should have knowledge of community development programs, and professional experience administrating programs run by the CDA.
After the written examination, the commission would give McKelvey a list of the top candidates and he would select the next director.