Washington County to seek new VA Dept. head

WASHINGTON — Washington County officials have started considering their options to replace longtime Veterans Affairs Administrator Sue Rich, over a year ahead of her planned retirement in March of 2025.

Rich has suggested hiring a new department head in July of 2024, setting them up for eight months of training before her own departure from the office. That would give the new hire time for accreditation testing, thorough background checks and necessary skill-building.

“I want to make sure they get accreditation … a criteria of hiring is they have to pass that,” Rich said at a Board of Supervisors work session Tuesday morning. “Otherwise they’d have to wait another year to take it, and then they wouldn’t be eligible to hold the position.”

While an exact salary hasn’t been announced, the move will increase the department’s budget for the next fiscal year, as elected officials say they’re getting worried about making ends meet amid state spending restrictions.

Those concerns could complicate details of the hiring. Rich recommended changing the position to a full-time one with her departure. She currently works around 30 hours a week, including in her capacity as the head of county General Assistance, but said a new hire would need more training time, and could potentially offer more services for veterans under a 40-hour week.

She added that the move would make it easier to find applicants, as well.

“In this day and age, you’re not going to find someone that’s willing to work part-time,” she said. “We’ve got more people that are looking for full-time employment, the good benefits that we have.”

Despite the heightened cost of a full-time position, Washington County Commissioner Terry Philips said he recommended the change as well.

“We’re in great shape in that we’re able to plan a transition,” he said. “I want to try and do the best job we can, and come up with someone who’s going to take over and do well. Sue’s done a good job over the years … I want to make sure we don’t find ourselves, like other counties that hire somebody, and then eight to 10 months later they hire somebody else because they didn’t pay enough or didn’t get the right person.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com