MOHAVE COUNTY — Human Resources Director Juliana Demers is pleased with positive response to the newly established Deputy Mohave County Manager position. Demers said more than 20 people applied within 2 weeks after the job was posted Oct. 6.
Demers said better than half the field is qualified and that she is confident the county will land a great administrator.
“This is the best recruitment we’ve had in my near 2 years here,” Demers said. “It’s the best pool of candidates.”
Demers hopes for similar success with two other upper tier county positions posted on Oct. 22.
A new Economic Development Director is being recruited following former Director Tami Ursenbach’s county employment exit on Oct. 19. The county is also looking for a Forensic Operation Manager to help staff the in-house Medical Examiner Office operation launching next summer.
Demers said 18 people applied for the Assistant Public Works Director position. She said none of the applicants met qualifications and the job remains open until filled.
18 other people reportedly applied for the Emergency Management Administrator job. Former Emergency Management Technician Ashley Thien has been “underfilling” that position since Oct. 17.
Demers said other job descriptions are being developed for the transition of the Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport to the county from the Mohave County Airport Authority. She said communication with Airport Authority staff is underway regarding who might transfer to county employment.
County Manager David Strahl said he expects the county will be operating the airport by Jan.
Strahl encouraged job hunters to consider the mix of employment offerings in a county with a 1,400-member workforce.
“The county can offer stability and an opportunity to contribute to the local community through work that can make a difference to not only the employee, but all residents in the county,” Strahl said. “Fulfilling employment that is interesting and meaningful can provide the motivation and interaction to benefit all the people that employees interact with.”
Demers said retirees are invited to explore full or part-time employment with the county. She said their skill sets may match what is needed in vacant positions.
“There’s a lot of retirees moving to Kingman, Bullhead City and Lake Havasu. They exited from different jobs in areas where we are looking for talent,” Demers said. “We think they can fill some the vacancies that we have today because we know they’re out there.”
Demers said retirees or the greater labor pool might consider volunteering. She said volunteers are frequently assigned to support Fairgrounds, Parks and Animal Shelter operations.
“We also have a lot of openings at the Lake Havasu Senior Center. We always need somebody there,” Demers said.
Vacant positions, job descriptions and associated salary information can be reviewed online at jobs.mohave.gov.
