PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County has selected a permanent director of the Department of Community Development, eight months after the former director retired.
Patricia Charnas, 57, was selected to replace Carl Smith, who retired in September. David Goldsmith has served as interim director.
She is expected to begin work July 5, earning $8,403 per month or $100,836 per year, plus benefits.
Her employment is scheduled for approval at the Jefferson County commissioners’ regular meeting at 9 a.m. Monday in commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., as part of the consent agenda.
Charnas — who had worked for the Kitsap County Department of Community Development since 2004, most recently as the division manager of Planning and Environmental Programs — already has resigned her Kitsap County position, according to the department.
She was not available for comment Friday and had left town, a colleague said.
‘Seasoned manager’
County Administrator Philip Morley in a news release described Charnas as “a seasoned manager who brings diverse community voices into government’s planning work and is a strong advocate for staff support and development to better deliver services to the public.
“I am pleased to welcome Patty on board,” Morley said.
“She has substantial experience leading long-range and environmental planning that will be invaluable, particularly in the next two years, as we update our own county comprehensive plan and revise our critical areas regulation to support local agriculture and improve salmon habitat.”
Charnas also brings federal experience, having served as a branch chief for the U.S. Department of the Interior and as an environmental scientist for Region III of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Charnas worked as Port Townsend Paper Corp. director of public relations and government affairs from 2000-02.
Interim director
When Goldsmith was hired, it was expected he would serve as interim director for a few months.
Since joining the department, Goldsmith’s contract has been extended twice, in December for five months and Monday until June 20.
Goldsmith receives a $9,600 monthly salary, or $115,200 annually, without benefits.
In Jefferson County, Charnas will work in a department that is significantly smaller than that to which she is accustomed but will oversee more employees.
The Kitsap County DCD has a staff of about 60, according to Interim Director Jeff Rowe. Charnas supervised 10 employees.
The Jefferson County DCD currently has a 14-member staff and one current vacancy, according to its website.
Charnas was hired after two searches, one conducted by the county and another farmed out to the Prothman Co. of Seattle after the first search was unsuccessful.
Prothman conducted preliminary interviews and narrowed the field to four qualified finalists, according to the news release.
Charnas was selected after the finalists participated in three interviews and a tour.
The selection solicited input about all four candidates from two community stakeholder interview panels and a third panel that included the county administrator, a county commissioner, human resources manager and the interim DCD director.
County Administrator, County Commissioner, Interim DCD Director and HR Manager
The candidates interacted with county staff. The hiring committee considered staff feedback during the process, the county said.
Prothman continues to work on a search for the vacant Central Services director position.
The combined contract limit for fees and expenses for both searches is $43,650, Morley said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
