Committee reviewing applicants for new parks director

The new selection committee tasked with finding a new director for the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has begun reviewing applications, hoping to narrow down candidates from 74 to about 25 by Friday.

The nine-member committee met for the first time Friday to review the position and traits desired in a new director. The committee will spend the next week reviewing applications privately before meeting again to narrow the list of candidates who will move on to the interview stage.

In August, Bill Lockwood, who has served as director of the city's parks department for more than 33 years, announced his retirement, effective March 2016.

Gail Strope, human resources director, said applications were received from both internal and external candidates. She said an initial review of the 74 applications narrowed the list to 58 applicants who met the minimum requirements of the position.

In discussing the position, the committee talked about the most desired traits for the next director. Members discussed having someone with a vision and ability to push forward, someone with "a wow factor," strong leadership and an ability to collaborate well.

Denise Chapel, president of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said the right candidate should have the ability to push back and educate the commission on certain issues. She said the position also is unique because of its joint relationship with the commission and the City Council, and it's important to take the city's interests into consideration.

Committee member and former Mayor John Landwehr said there is a "natural tension" built in between the commission and the council, which can make the director position a little more difficult than other city positions that have a clear chain of command.

"It takes the right personality to be able to work within that," Landwehr said. "That relationship between parks and the city is not precise."

City Administrator Steve Crowell said that is not a bad thing, especially with a director who can be an advocate for both and have a passion for the role. Crowell said in his experience in Jefferson City, many things happen outside of the public view.

"A lot of the stuff that I've seen, a lot of things happen behind the scenes ... and maybe that's a good thing," Crowell said.

The committee will meet again Friday to decide by consensus who will move on to the interview stage. In early November, the committee is expected to begin interviews, either over the phone or through a video chatting service like Skype. The tentative timeline has the committee making a recommendation of one to three candidates to the full commission by Dec. 18, with the goal of having a new director hired by March.