Search begins for new Veterans Affairs director

Carbon County is officially starting its search for a new Veterans Affairs director.

On Thursday, the county salary board approved establishing a director trainee at $31,158.40 a year, effective July 25. The reason for the additional position is to allow for the successful applicant time to work under current Veterans Affairs director Henry Desrosiers, who is retiring from the post on Dec. 2.

“I’ve been thinking about retirement for a while,” Desrosiers said when asked about his retirement Thursday.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said the action allows the county to advertise the new position to begin the hiring process.

A special committee is also being formed that will be made up of the board of commissioners as well as several veterans from various veterans organizations throughout the county. This committee will decide on which applicant will be hired.

Nothstein said that this is the same process the county went through when it hired Desrosiers in 2008.

The commissioners hope to begin the process soon since the person needs to complete trainings, in addition to learning the position.