The three-member committee met tonight to discuss plans for a search process and to create a timeline of when they expect to hire.

“Thank you for stepping up, and thank you for putting yourselves out and doing the time that is necessary” says County Councilman Tim McGinley.

A special meeting was held on Monday evening with the committee tasked with selecting candidates to fill the Luzerne County Manager position.

In council chambers of the County Courthouse, the three-member committee convened and elected a chair and vice-chair.

As the meeting progressed, the members discussed the urgent timeline issued by the county council.

Charles Sciandra, who was unanimously elected chair, says that the committee’s goal is to work to meet that timeline.

“The timeline is tight; I think we are going to try to adhere to it because the job has to get done. Basically, there is no one in the position now, so I know that it is critical that county council gets a leader in here as soon as possible” said Sciandra.

Sciandra says that they are looking for candidates regionally first, and then may move to a larger national search if needed.

The committee’s goal is to present a viable candidate to the county council, who has final say in the hiring of candidates.

Members of the county council were in attendance as well as the Luzerne County controller, Walter Griffith. Griffith says that it important for the committee to reach out to division heads to understand what they are looking for in a new manager.

“I would go right to division heads that may want to be interviewed, it might be a good source to say, what are you looking for in a manger, what problems do you see, the Controller as well” says Griffith.

During public comment, residents also asked for the committee to reach out to former Managers and see what truly made them leave the position in the first place.

The committee has scheduled another meeting for this coming Friday to discuss advertising and a final process of selecting candidates.

The council has set March 31st as their deadline to hire.