Amherst civil service board opts for assessment-based search to replace wastewater superintendent

The Amherst Civil Service Commission on Dec. 8 approved moving forward with an assessment-based process to fill the soon-to-be-vacant wastewater treatment plant superintendent post, the commission said.

Commission members discussed retirement plans for the current superintendent and reviewed options under state rules for filling a classified-service vacancy. Unidentified Speaker 2 cited language from the Ohio Revised Code permitting suspension of standard testing where “exceptional qualifications” make competition impractical and a designated selection process is more appropriate. The board agreed the city can pursue that route for this opening.

Why it matters: the superintendent role combines scientific, managerial and regulatory responsibilities — including lab analysis, plant operations, and coordination with state and federal authorities — and the city said it wants a candidate with the specific certifications and operational knowledge required to manage those duties.

Board members described the planned selection process as situational and interview-focused rather than a traditional written exam. “We got everything rolling for the assessment,” said Unidentified Speaker 3, who added the assessment setup should be ready by mid-January. Speakers said the existing written tests used in the department historically are inadequate to evaluate candidates for this specialized role.

The commission discussed composition of the assessment panel and agreed to include local participants. Unidentified Speaker 2 proposed including the safety service director, the mayor, current plant staff and civil service board members on the assessment team. The record also notes a retired superintendent named Alan has been asked to help prepare the assessment materials and indicated he is willing to remain in place into January to assist the transition.

Recruitment strategy: members discussed using the EPA/state mailing list of licensed operators to notify potential applicants and targeting Class 2–4 license holders. One speaker said there are roughly 200 Class 4 operators statewide, making targeted outreach important. The commission discussed whether to rely on email or physical mail because recruitment emails risk going to spam; members favored a targeted mailing to reach certified operators directly.

Timeline and next steps: speakers said an advertisement should go out within roughly a week to 10 days so applicants have more than a month to apply; the city intends to finalize assessment materials and reconvene as needed before the next public meeting. No formal appointment vote or further policy action was taken during the meeting; participants described these as preparatory steps toward a formal hiring process.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the minutes for a special meeting held Nov. 11 and a regular meeting held Nov. 19 (motions made and seconded; board voice votes recorded as 'aye').

The commission adjourned at about 5:46 p.m.; the next meeting date is to be determined.