GONZALES — The City Council will be working with Peckham and McKenney Executive Search to fill the position of Public Works director, currently held by Harold Walgomott who will be retiring this year.
“It’s going to be a huge loss to the city,” City Manager Rene Mendez said. “This will be the third retirement of a long-term valuable employee to the city in a few short years. I think the city’s been very fortunate to have employees that have stayed as long as they have.”
Although Walgomott does not retire until the end of the year, Mendez would like to have a smooth transition between the incoming and outgoing Public Works director. The search is facing some hurdles, according to Mendez, starting with cities on the Monterey Peninsula that are also recruiting for the same position.
The recruitment services expense is estimated at $27,000 to cover from June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2018. In the event that the contract doesn’t work with the first candidate, Peckham and McKenney will help the city find another candidate within the first two years of the new contract.
The incoming Public Works director would oversee projects at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, including sledge removal and storm water.
Candidates for the Public Works director must have schooling in business, public administration, engineering or finance as well as a bachelor’s or master’s degree and be certified in engineering and have experience in high-level executive management, construction and capitol projects.
