The Haines Borough has moved tourism director Leslie Ross into the interim community and economic development director position as part of an “emergency hire” arrangement that also promotes Tammy Piper from visitor information coordinator to interim tourism director.
Both Ross and Piper will get 20 percent pay bumps for their work in the interim positions.
An emergency hire can occur without required job postings and procedures, with the consent of the manager and mayor.
The raises increase Ross’ pay from $21.75 to $26.10 per hour and Piper’s from $16.67 to $20 per hour.
Sosa said he approached Ross with the proposal. “(Ross) is a manager within the department so it made the most sense. It will give her a good understanding of her future supervisor requirements,” he said.
Hiring an interim employee instead of waiting for a permanent director to be hired “will allow the borough to stay engaged in critical projects during the search and prevent a loss of momentum to these projects,” Sosa said.
Key projects include the sledding hill development, Picture Point Wayside improvements and wood pellet boiler installations, he said. Ross also will be responsible for providing staff support to committees and exercising oversight for the pool, community youth development and tourism departments, Sosa said.
Working with local, state and federal agencies to advance the borough’s interests is critical to the position, Sosa said.
“It is vitally important to foster, establish and maintain good working relationships within the community and beyond. Many of our projects will require engaging with multiple stakeholders simultaneously,” he added.
Ross has served as tourism director since June. Before coming to the borough, she worked as development director for KHNS.
Mayor Stephanie Scott said she was initially reluctant to sign off on Ross’s emergency hire.
“I had reservations about putting (Ross) in there, only because I didn’t want tourism to be shortchanged in any way, and I was convinced by the manager and (Ross) that tourism would not be shortchanged, that it is an interim appointment and all would be well eventually,” Scott said.
Scott said many development projects and networking connections are going unaddressed while the position remains unfilled.
“One of the things that isn’t getting done is the connection with the Alaska Energy Authority and the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund and this $1.2 million grant (for wood pellet boilers). That’s not getting done,” she said.
“I would have been just as happy to see some of the projects given to a contractor, if somebody were hired just to manage the wood heat grant,” Scott added.
Ross this week was in Santa Barbara, Calif., at the Alaska Media Roadshow, a networking event for Alaska tourism representatives and media outlets.
Ross will be traveling on personal business in the Lower 48 in early December, but plans to drive from Arizona to Las Vegas for the “December in Las Vegas” event put on by the Gay and Lesbian Convention Visitors Bureau.
Sosa said according to his conversations with Ross, she intends to be in Haines for all of November.
Scott said Ross’s interim position is compatible with the travel plans.
“Much of the work can be done via email and telephone,” Scott said. “It’s that kind of thing. It’s almost a lobbyist position with the Haines Borough as the client.”
Ross will serve in the position for 90 days, the maximum allowed by code, Sosa said.
Sosa said he doesn’t expect to hire a permanent community and economic development director until February or April.