PORT TOWNSEND — Fourteen people have applied for consideration for the position of Port of Port Townsend executive director.
“From what I have seen, the majority of the applicants have solid experience and educational qualifications,” said Abigail Berg, the port’s human resources director, who is managing the search.
“Last week, we had only received three applications and thought we may have to extend the deadline, but we don’t feel that we need to do that now.”
The application period to replace retiring Port Director Larry Crockett ends Friday.
Port Deputy Director Jim Pivarnik predicted that another four or five applications would turn up before the deadline.
Timeline
Once the applications are received, they will be given to the three port commissioners to review privately.
The commissioners then will meet in executive session to narrow the field to five candidates, Berg said.
These five will be interviewed and three finalists chosen.
Their identities will be released to the public with an introduction at a public meeting that will include port stakeholders, the general public and the media, according to the application package’s cover letter.
The public meeting will be conducted at the end of April at the earliest, Berg said, which will allow enough time to get the new director on board by Crockett’s retirement date, June 1.
Berg said the applicants are geographically diverse, coming from regional, statewide and out-of-state locations.
About five of them have not completed the application, which will disqualify them, Berg said.
“If they can’t complete the package, they won’t be considered a high-level candidate,” she said.
At a Feb. 10 meeting, port commissioners decided to conduct the search themselves rather than employ a search firm, which can cost as much as $40,000.
“It does take more time for us to do this process ourselves,” Berg said.
“We’re saving the port money, and the fact we are going this route doesn’t make the candidates less viable.”
The job posting is on the port’s website, www.portofpt.com.
The job description does not include an annual salary range, but the range is expected to be between $115,000 and $140,000, commissioners said.
Salary range
Crockett earns $126,000.
Aside from preparing the application packet, Crockett is not participating in the recruitment process.
Pivarnik, who is one of three finalists for the Port of Kingston director position, said he also will not participate.
“It’s the commissioners’ decision and I don’t think the staff should have any influence,” Pivarnik said.
“I am the operations manager, which means I will just stay here and do my operations thing.”
For more information, go to the port’s website or call 360-385-0656.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
