By Jennifer Learn-Andes

jandes@timesleader.com

The citizen search committee that will choose Luzerne County manager finalists has created two online surveys to seek input on manager qualities important to residents and employees.

“The purpose of the survey is to engage citizens and county employees by gathering feedback information to help the manager search committee make an informed decision selecting the top three candidates for county manager,” the committee said.

The citizen survey is at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/luzernecountycitizensurvey

County employees can complete a survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/luzernecountyemployeesurvey

Survey takers are not required to identify themselves.

An example of a question on the citizen survey: What are the two most important leadership qualities that Luzerne’s new County Manager should possess?

The choices: orientation to the future, accountability, personal integrity, empowering others, ability to guide change, being a visionary or a coalition builder.

The search committee met Monday and learned there were no applicants for the position to date.

The position was publicly advertised Feb. 5, and applicants must submit resumes and other information by March 4.

Applicants who simply send in standard resumes won’t make the cut because the committee is requiring all applicants to provide concrete examples or evidence of how they have met specific skills required for the position, including experience with procurement, collective bargaining agreements and implementing changes.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least five years of relevant administrative/managerial work experience.

The job posting may be viewed at www.luzernecounty.org.

The position is advertised at a broad salary range — $96,564 to $175,571 — because the county council unanimously decided to stick with the compensation wording in the home rule charter. The charter says the salary can’t exceed the elected district attorney’s compensation — currently $175,571 — or be less than 55 percent of the district attorney’s salary.

The county council had budgeted $160,000 for the manager compensation in 2016. Prior manager Robert Lawton, who resigned the end of 2015, had received $110,000.

The committee tentatively plans to present three finalists to the county council for its consideration in April.

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.