ThisWeek CW 11/20/2014

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/11/17/city-hopes-to-fill-finance-post-by-end-of-year.html

Canal Winchester officials are once again looking to upgrade staff skills as they make plans to replace a retiring staff member.

City Financial Assistant Grace North will retire at the end of this year after serving about five years with the city, according to Finance Director Amanda Jackson.

“Grace has been with the city for five years and has been vital to my transition to the city,” Jackson told Canal Winchester City Council. “She will be missed, especially by me, and we wish her well in her new adventure.”

Human Resources Coordinator Nancy Stir said the position of financial assistant will be replaced by a financial specialist, a job that will carry more stringent education and experience requirements.

“Looking at the demands of the city and what we have at hand, we need to upgrade that position to have more of a fiduciary responsibility to the city,” Stir said.

“This will be an unclassified position instead of classified so that they’ll be able to assume duties in the absence of the finance director, such as grant-writing and duties like payroll, accounting and purchase orders.”

The new position will have a pay range of $18.20 to $25.73 an hour, along with the city’s standard benefits and insurance package. It is currently posted at the city’s website, canal winchesterohio.gov, and according to Stir, officials hope to complete the hiring process before the end of the year.

Council members unanimously approved the new position at their Nov. 3 meeting.

Councilman Steve Donahue thanked the city staff for finding ways to do more without adding more personnel.