By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Time is almost up.

Interim Director Mary Thompson made it clear in March that she intended to retire in June and that the Coumbus County Department of Social Services Board needed to get busy trying to find a new director.

Former Director Marva Scott took the director’s position in Edgecombe County in March and Thompson, the assistant director, has served as interim director since that date.

Commissioner and current DSS Board Chairman Amon McKenzie said Monday the last of several interviews slated for June 21 may be moved up to an earlier date.
“If the next three (interviews) go as good as these, we are going to have a good selection of candidates,” he said, pointing out eight applicants had been considered.

The DSS Board intends to have a first and second choice candidate selected before the end of this month and immediately after the last interview, he said.

The Board of Commissioners must approve the selected candidate.

“Once we choose –we have set a code of ethics,” McKenzie explained. “That same evening we will be in a position to offer our first choice the position. In case that number one says ‘no’ we will move on to our second choice.”

McKenzie hinted “there may be” candidates under consideration that live in the county and even some that are currently employed with Social Services.

McKenzie did not say if the board had settled on a salary amount for the new director. “We are asking individuals about their salary requirements,” McKenzie pointed out.
The director, who manages a staff of 142 employees, is required to hold a master’s or bachelor’s degree in social work and have supervisory experience in social work or an equivalent combination of training and experience, according to the advertisement.
The salary range is published at $49,000 to $101,000 a year. Currently the highest paid county employee is the manager at $81,000 a year.

It has been no secret that Thompson intended for June to be her last month at DSS but McKenzie said the board would “try to arrange something.”
He said there was an “alternate plan” but that he would “love for her to be around to orientate the new director.”

While time is running out, with Thompson having given her retirement letter, time is also running out for current Social Services Chairman Amon McKenzie if he wants to take part in the final selection. His term expires on June 30 and Commissioner Ronald Gore will take McKenzie’s seat on the five-member board.