AMHERST — The town is in the process of a search for the next town clerk and town manager’s executive assistant to replace two long-time employees retiring in June.
Town Clerk Sandra Burgess is retiring June 30 after serving since August 2006, while Debra Puppel, executive assistant to the town manager, departs June 10 after working for the town since January 2011.
The town clerk position, with a salary range between $64,149 and $86,212, calls for the successful applicant to have an associate degree in business management, records management, public administration or a similar field, and at least four years of similar experience.
The executive assistant position, with a salary range between $53,506 and $71,908, calls for the successful applicant to have a bachelor’s degree in public administration, or related field, as well as two years’ experience in public administration or a similar setting.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said he hopes to have new people on board to overlap with the current employees, who will help train their successors.
Human Resources Director Deborah Radway said the search committees expect to do interviews later in April or early May and have a recommendation to Bockelman by mid-May.
There has been significant interest in both positions, Radway said, including an applicant for the town clerk position from Alaska who is looking to return to New England. She added that there are also internal candidates for both positions.
The more challenging job to fill may be full-time mechanic for the Department of Public Works following the resignation of Cory O’Brien, she said.
“We’ll talk to anyone with the skill set,” Radway said adding that it can be difficult to offer salaries competitive with private companies seeking mechanics. The biweekly pay range is $1,525.37 to $2,049.96.
Other positions sought include DPW seasonal employees, conservation department seasonal employees, including those who will be rangers at Puffer’s Pond, summer sports camp coordinator for Leisure Services and Supplemental Education and LSSE sports and recreation fields manager.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.