Washington County narrowing public health candidates

The Washington County Board of Health met for a work session Tuesday morning to discuss the hiring process for its next Department of Public Health director.

Interim Public Health Director Chris Estle said the board appointed an applicant review committee to pick the best choices from the applicant pool.

“That committee will make recommendations to the full Board of Health … Sept. 16 at noon,” she said. “From that point the Board of Health will review that process and will look at those recommendations set forth by that committee, and then schedule interviews accordingly.”

Estle said the review committee would include seven members: herself, Board of Health members Christopher Grier and Connie Larson, Board of Supervisors Chair Richard Young, and Public Health employees Roberta Sloat and Peggy Wood.

Estle said the timeline for the board to make a final choice was uncertain.

“I know with any management-level position, oftentimes it is a more lengthy process,” she said. “If someone is currently working they usually need to give anywhere from three to six weeks’ notice depending on their current employment. That could potentially delay that appointment process.”

Estle noted that her agreement to serve as interim director expires Jan. 1, setting a deadline for the new director to begin some time this year.