By Jessie Burchette

Salisbury Post

County Manager Bill Cowan expects to appoint an interim parks director after Jim Foltz leaves on Thursday.

Cowan said he has received more than 20 applications for the job of parks director, but he doesn’t expect to make the decision prior to Foltz’s departure.

Appointing an interim will provide the time needed to evaluate the applications, interview finalists and select the director.

The position has drawn applications from across the state, some nationally and some locally. The vacancy was advertised in parks and recreation publications and Internet listing sites.

It’s the first time the county has advertised for a parks and recreation director.

When Foltz was hired in 1971, he got the job of superintendent of Dan Nicholas Park. As the park system evolved, Foltz’s job evolved to being parks and recreation director.

“We have some good applications,” Cowan said. He added that he has no timetable on the selection process.

The advertised criteria for the job includes a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration, business administration, public administrator, sports management or relevant field with three to five years’ experience of “a progressively responsible nature in organized local government recreational activities, including experience in a supervisory capacity — or an equivalent combination of education and experience.”

The director of parks and recreation is responsible for planning, directing, monitoring and controlling the parks and recreation program and the use and maintenance of facilities at Dan Nicholas Park, Sloan Park, Ellis Park, Eagle Point and Dunn’s Mountain. His duties also include hiring and managing staff and seeking grants and funding from groups and businesses.

Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette @salisburypost.com.