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WARREN -- The Trumbull County Commissioners are expected to name a new executive director for the Trumbull County Jobs and Family Services soon.
Nine of the approximately dozen contenders who applied for the position have been interviewed, according to Commissioner Rick Hernandez.
Three candidates received second interviews.
A new director is expected to be announced within the next one to three weeks. The county is expected to make an offer for employment and then give the candidate time to inform his or her current employer.
John Gargano, the former director, retired Aug. 1 after 41 years of service. The county began advertising for a new director immediately after his retirement announcement.
Hernandez noted that many of the candidates the commissioners interviewed for the position would have been qualified for the position.
"The search for a replacement has taken longer than I expected," Hernandez said. "We wanted to interview the candidates ourselves and unanimously make a decision on the next director. This is a very important position."
Last week, Henry Perez, union president of Local 458 of Trumbull County Job and Family Services, told the commissioners that not having a director of JFS has affected the efficiency and the morale of the bargaining unit.
"We, kind of, are at a standstill as to what we can and what we can and cannot do within the building," Perez said.
He noted there are structural problems in the building and in its parking lot.
The commissioners told Perez they are seeking bids to address the parking lot. The county has been monitoring the building's roof problem.
Hernandez said the commissioners know there are some disparities within the JFS.
"Tell your employees to hold out a little bit longer," he said. "There is change coming and it is on the way."
This week, the commissioners approved the resignation of five case workers from the department. In addition, two employees retired.