The search for a new Habersham County Manager is ongoing, as the county commission has decided to repost the job listing after the resignation of County Manager Alicia Vaughn. Vaughn’s official last day will be Friday, December 27, and the position will remain open for applications until Thursday, January 9.
The job posting was made public on the county’s and the Georgia Local Government Personnel Association (GLGPA) websites on Thursday, December 26. The commission is seeking to fill the position promptly, as Vaughn’s departure leaves a vacancy in the critical role of county management.
Just over three weeks ago, during a special called meeting on December 3, the Habersham County Commissioners appointed Finance Director Tim Sims as interim County Manager, effective December 28. This move came as the commission continued its search for a permanent replacement.
Position reposted
Now Habersham reached out to Habersham County Human Resources Director Ann Cain and Karla Whittier with the Human Resources Department to inquire about the reposting of the position. Whittier explained, “We (Human Resources Department) were asked by the Board of Commissioners to repost the position.” She added, “Previous applicants do not need to reapply,”
Commission Chairman Ty Akins further explained the reasoning behind the reposting. Several potential candidates, he said, became aware of the position only after the application period had closed. These candidates reached out to commissioners requesting an extension of the application deadline. Also, during the holiday season over the last month, a few qualified candidates withdrew their applications and requested to not be considered in the hiring process.
Akins clarified that the commission plans to interview at least five qualified candidates if not more. With Vaughn’s resignation date approaching, the commission opted to appoint Sims as the interim manager to maintain continuity. Afterward, discussions with incoming Commissioner Kelly Woodall led to the decision to reopen the position for additional candidates, ensuring that Woodall could be involved in the hiring process.
Salary and requirements
The salary range for the County Manager position is set between $120,000 and $175,000. To be considered, applicants must meet the minimum requirement of a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, government operations, accounting, business management, or a similar field.
Additionally, applicants should have at least five years of experience in local government, with over two years of executive experience in a leadership role, preferably as a department director. A strong familiarity with the Commission-Manager form of government is also essential, along with a proven record of leadership, fiscal stewardship, innovation, and relationship-building.
Interested applicants must complete a Habersham County employment application and submit it by January 9. Applications can be submitted online at www.habershamga.com or picked up in person at the Habersham County Human Resources Department located in Room 303 of the Administration Building at 130 Jacob’s Way, Clarkesville. For more information, applicants can contact the Human Resources Department at (706) 839-0214.
Initial county manager search
The commission’s efforts to hire a new county manager follow the approval of an amended employment contract for Alicia Vaughn, which effectively served as her resignation. This decision came after the commission’s September 16 meeting, during which they discussed the future of the position in a closed session. Vaughn had served as county manager for three and a half years before her resignation.
The commission initially opened the application process for the position on September 23, closing it on October 14. Vaughn reported that 31 applications were received; however, sources close to the process indicated that not all applicants met the minimum qualifications for the position.
With the county still searching for a permanent replacement, the Habersham County Commission hopes the reposted position will attract a strong pool of qualified candidates.
