White County’s Parks and Recreation Director position is garnering a lot of interest as the county prepares to begin interviews over the next couple of weeks.
White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the county received about 16 applications during the application period. Robinson said he is glad to see the amount of interest the position has attracted. Robinson said the county has depended on volunteers, which he also said has been a bit of a roller coaster.
“You have a group that comes in and spends a lot of time on it gets it all fixed up nice, and then it stays nice for a while, and then that group kind of drops off,” Robinson said.
Robinson said he will not be heavily involved in the interviewing and hiring process. Robinson said the county’s HR Department and the state will handle those duties and make a recommendation.
“We’ve got people that know what they are doing,” Robinson said. “The state is coming and helping go through the candidates to meet the criteria that are required. Of course, I will be monitoring it, watching, and have input where it’s needed.”
Robinson said during interviews, he wants to see how aligned the candidates are with his goals for the position.
“Maintain and keep what we have in good working order,” Robinson said. “Then, when that is accomplished, I want them to start looking at the grants available, opportunities available to expand the services and types of recreational activities that can be offered at the recreation complex.”
Robinson said the goal is to have a director by January 9. Robinson said the parks and rec subcommittee will disband once the county has a director in place.
