SAN FERNANDO : 40 Have Applied for Parks Director Post
Forty people have applied so far to replace Jess Margarito as parks director in San Fernando, and 160 people have expressed interest in the position.
Margarito was fired from his job as director of the Department of Recreation and Community Services in January for alleged misuse of his office. An interim director, Rollie Wright, has held the job for the past seven weeks.
“There have been a lot of questions and a lot of concerns in the community that we get the right person,” said Christine Manriquez-Lissik, personnel director.
The position, which pays from $57,000 to $70,000 depending on experience, involves planning and developing recreational and community programs in the largely Latino city. To find qualified candidates, the city has been advertising in local newspapers, on TV stations, and in trade publications throughout the nation, Manriquez-Lissik said.
“We’ve asked for someone who understands the culture as well as speaks the language,” she said.
An independent panel made up of parks officials from other areas and other job experts will interview candidates from March 28 to April 4. On April 12, a short list of candidates will be interviewed by a panel of three job experts, and on April 14 City Administrator Mary Strenn will choose the finalists and recommend them to the City Council, Manriquez-Lissik said.
“The normal process will follow,” said Council member Doude Wysbeek. “The ultimate decision is the council’s.”
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