HATFIELD — With current Hatfield Town Administrator Marlene Michonski set to retire at the end of this year, the town is seeking applications from people who are interested in taking over the position.
The town states that they are looking for applications until the position is officially filled. Ideally, they want someone to start by Nov. 1.
“The town of Hatfield, a community of 3,183, seeks a motivated professional to serve as its town administrator,” reads the job posting on the website. “Salary negotiable depending on qualifications and subject to negotiation of a contract with the Select Board.”
The posting states that the town administrator position represents the Select Board and the public on a day-to-day basis and performs administrative, management and supervisory work coordinating activities of town departments, commissions, boards and officers under the jurisdiction of the Select Board.
The administrator also executes board policies, provides research and general staff support; develops budgets, works as a key member of the town’s financial team, oversees and serves as the board’s procurement officer, and serves as personnel administrator, grant research writer and public information officer, among other duties.
According to the job posting, the town is looking for someone with a bachelor’s degree and five years of related professional municipal experience. They also must be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
“Working knowledge of municipal finance, budget management, personnel management, collective bargaining, intergovernmental relations, contracts and the laws which affect local government are desired,” reads the posting.
The town is asking applicants to address their resumes and cover letters to the Town Administrator Search Committee Memorial Town Hall, 59 Main St, Hatfield MA 01038, or by emailing townadministrator@townofhatfield.org.
In conjunction with this job posting, the Select Board is seeking applications and letters of interest to appoint two at-large members to a search committee that will meet approximately once a month to review town administrator applications, conduct preliminary interviews with candidates and forward recommended finalists to the Select Board.
Applications, resumes and letters of interest for the search committee are required to be sent to the aforementioned email or mailing address by July 19. Volunteer applications are available on the town website: townofhatfield.org/town-administrator/pages/interested-volunteering.
Michonski officially announced her retirement in January after 35 years of serving in municipal work. She first served as Hatfield’s town administrator from 2002 until 2010. She then spent five years as an office manager for Braintree’s DPW before returning to the Hatfield town administrator position in 2015. She also spent 14 years in Southampton.
“I do want to do some part-time work … but on a flexible schedule, because I do want to spend more time with family,” Michonski said during the January Select Board meeting where she announced her retirement.
“Marlene, I’m so happy for you,” said Select Board Chair Diane Syznal, who was one of the people to recruit Michonski for the position many years ago. “You’ve given years and years of just dedicated exceptional service to the town and I’m going to really miss working with you.”
Michonski notified the board that she will officially end her tenure on Dec. 31.
