By Richard Carrier
Contributing writer

Indicative of both the growth and financial stability in the county, Powhatan will fill two new high profile positions sometime after the first of the year. Final interviews for Director of Parks and Recreation will be conducted by the Board of Supervisors within the next two weeks, according to Powhatan County Administrator Carolyn Cios.

Approximately 45 applicants from a “ very experienced and competitive field of candidates” have been narrowed to two finalists for the $55,000 per year, plus benefits, position.

The new director will be responsible for existing facilities including the expanding Fighting Creek Park and the Powhatan Youth Athletic Association, plus facilitating the growth of youth activities in the county. But, in light of the county’s growth needs, the person hired will take on the role of developing senior programs, health and wellness projects and “creating a full department, its direction and the future needs of the department,” Cios said. The new director will “help us determine the needs and desires of the citizens of Powhatan County.”

Referencing current economic conditions, Administrator Cios said, “one of the things we are doing is evaluating what is going on with the economy and every position (existing or proposed) in the county has been evaluated.”

Budget approval for the new Director of Parks and Recreation and the second position, full time Fire Chief, has been in place for some time but implementation has been put on hold until after the first of the year.

“I feel very confident about these decisions. Both are very exciting,” Cios said.

The county is currently working with county fire officials and local rescue squads to develop a comprehensive and accurate job description for the Fire Chief position. “We want to make sure we have exactly what we need,” Cios said. Upon finalization of the job description the position will be advertised, with the first of next year the target date for having the position filled.

The new Fire Chief will work with the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator to evaluate statistical data concerning calls, staffing and planning for future equipment and stations. “At some point in the future we will have to determine if we need full time fire personnel,” the Administrator said. “It is very exciting and necessary that as we grow we need to work with Fire and Rescue as to what’s going to happen in the future.”