Forks Manager Wanted: Salary ‘Excellent’

The manager for resigned at the end of 2011, and the deadline for applications from those interested in the job is Jan. 27.

Early reports indicated the township was or more for the right candidate, though at a December board meeting, Supervisor Erik Chuss, who is now chairman of the board, said no salary was decided on and that the township will base the salary on the applicants' experience and education levels.

The salary for the outgoing manager, , would have been $87,053 -- that's with a 2.5 percent raise over 2011. By comparison, makes $96,900.

Schnaedter left Forks for Hilltown Township in Bucks County, where he will earn $100,000.

The advertisements for the Forks’ post, on the township’s website and on sites for professional municipal managers such as the International City/County Management Association, list the salary and benefits as “excellent.”

According to the ordinance that established the township manager position in 1997 (attached), the board sets the salary for the position and can also “modify the powers and duties of the Township manager” by enacting a new ordinance.

The township is now paying the Meyner Center at Lafayette College $75 an hour for help to recruit a new manager with a cap on the fees set at $5,000. The Meyner Center studies state and local government, and also acts as headhunters for municipalities. Here’s the timeline:

1. Deadline for applications Jan. 27.
2. Human Resource Manager Barb Bartek and Supervisors Robert Egolf will review the applications Jan. 31. 
3. Phone interviews will be conducted by the Board and David Woglom of the Meyner Center on Feb. 6.
4. Face-to-face interviews will be conducted by the board on Feb. 13 and also on Feb. 15, if necessary.

Want Ad posted on the ICMA website:

Forks Township, Northampton County, PA seeks a skilled and experienced individual to serve as the Manager of this Second Class Township. The Manager has authority to direct and supervise all day-to-day operations of the government, and serves as the central point of contact among the 5-member Board of Supervisors, staff, and the community.

The individual administers an annual budget of $8 million with approximately 54 full-time employees in Departments of Finance, Police, Building/Zoning/Code, Human Resources, Parks/Recreation, and Public Works.

Candidates should have at least five years of professional, administrative experience involving financial management, budgeting, purchasing, planning, and personnel management, a Bachelors Degree, demonstrated leadership ability, and strong organizational skills. Excellent salary and benefits.   

Qualified candidates should apply to Forks Township Search Committee, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Easton, PA 18040 and include salary history/expectation. Applications may also be submitted electronically and sent to bbartek@forkstownship.org

Deadline is January 27, 2012. Equal Opportunity Employer.