Library director interviews are today

Interviews for the vacant Camas Public Library director job are being conducted today.

Candidates include Molly Gunderson of Vancouver, Justin Keeler of La Center; Sarah Booth of Porter, Texas and Connie Urquhart of Fresno, California.

Interviews with the candidates will be conducted by a panel consisting of Library Board Trustees Laura Felter and Jennifer Colbert; Administrative Services Director Jennifer Gorsuch; City Administrator Pete Capell; Youth Services Librarian Ellen Miles; and Barb Baldus, a member of the Second Story Gallery Society’s board of governors and a former library board trustee.

The interview process will also include a meeting with the city’s department heads; lunch with library staff, the interview panel and Mayor Scott Higgins; and tours of the city and the library.

City officials hope to have the selected candidate start in July.

The full-time director oversees the library’s programs, activities and operations, administers its policies and procedures, and leads approximately 14 employees. The department’s annual budget is $1.4 million.

The salary range for the position is $7,038 to $8,405 per month, depending on experience and qualifications. It also includes health benefits.

The application packet listed the position’s priorities as completing the library’s strategic plan and, “assessing department culture and providing strong staff leadership to the department ensuring efficient and effective staffing models.”

The city received 21 applications for the position, and 14 candidates were sent supplemental questionnaires following the closure of the application period on May 9.

The permanent position is open following the October 2015 retirement of Director David Zavortink. Assistant Director Linda Swenton had been serving as the interim director. Her resignation was effective May 6.