With the recent departure of former Ashe County Parks Director Joe Boccardy, county officials are preparing to advertise the vacant position and said that the ideal candidate would possess administrative skills to complement a background in recreation.

County Manager Dan McMillan told the Post Tuesday afternoon that the position will be advertised through the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, which will turn over all applications to him for review. Although McMillan has the final word as to who will be the next park and recreation director, he said that he will also allow the Ashe County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board the opportunity to review all candidates. He will also look for input from the advisory board in making a final decision. McMillan also said that it is the hopes of him and the county commissioners to fill the positions “as soon as possible.”

In a nutshell, McMillan outlined what qualities the ideal candidate for the position would possess.

“One of the things that we have had in the past is someone who has been a parks and recreation major or had at least some background in that area in college,” McMillan said. “All of them (directors) had ideals of the operation of the facilities and running of the programs. What we need right now is an administrator for that department as well. We need someone not only familiar with the parks and recreation program but also someone that is management oriented as well.”

McMillan explained that the next director must be capable of both administrating the park’s program, facilities, and personnel but must also oversee the parks ongoing projects. The department is currently in the process of completing a $1 million ball field projects and McMillan explained that the county needs a director who can oversee that project and others that the county foresees down the road. In order to complete ongoing and future projects, the next park director will also be expected to work with the county in filing for the state’s Parks and Recreations Trust Fund (PARTF) grant, which provides one-to-one matching funds for recreational projects.

Although county officials are searching for a candidate who can exhibit both management and administrative qualities they are also looking for a director who will incorporate the ideals of both the county and ACPR.

“What we really want is to make sure all the visions that the county and the park board have are adhered to,” McMillan said.

For more information on the Department of Parks and Recreation, please call (336) 982-6185. The official advertisement for the parks’ director position will be listed on the North Carolina Employment Security Commission Web site www.ncesc.com and in following editions of the Jefferson Post. All applications should be submitted to the Ashe County office of the NCESC at Family Central and not the park’s office.