Oct. 12—Cumberland County will begin its search for a new finance director following the retirement of Nathan Brock following 35 years of service.

The county will soon begin advertising for the position, with the finance committee tasked with reviewing applicants, interviewing candidates and appointing the director.

"The Comptroller's Office says the best practice is to open it up for transparency for all those involved," Ben Rodgers, with County Technical Assistance Service, said during Wednesday's finance committee.

"All your meetings would be open to the public."

Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster had circulated a potential job description, most of it citing the state law that establishes the position. No changes were requested by members of the finance committee.

The job will be advertised through the Crossville Chronicle, on the county's website and social media channels and other appropriate sites, with the county's human resources department charged with accepting applications.

Those advertisements are expected to post next week.

"Let her organize them and send them to the committee," Rodgers said.

Foster added, "No filtering of resumes. Just send them all."

Rodgers said the committee would then review all applications and determine from the candidate pool how many people will be interviewed.

"If you have 10 good candidates, I wouldn't eliminate anyone because you don't want to do 10 interviews," he said. "And, it's going to be open to the public."

The final step is appointment by the finance committee.

"Once you make the appointment, they're hired," Rodgers said. "The commission doesn't ratify your appointment. But, if you have to dismiss someone, they do have to approve that."

The job description requires a minimum of bachelor's degree in business, public administration, accounting or a closely related field and extensive experience in accounting and financial administration to include supervising staff, managing multiple financial accounts and performing advanced accounting transactions.

Rodgers said experience could take the place of education, if the committee made that determination.

Cumberland County follows the financial management act of 1981, which created a finance department to administer all county funds handled by the county trustee. The director is tasked with accepting requisitions, verifying budget appropriations, approving invoices for payment and serving as a purchasing agent for the county.