The Port of Olympia Commission is looking to create a new deputy position to assist the port’s future executive director.
The Port Commission discussed this proposal on Monday, October 23, as they worked to develop a job description for the position with Port staff and Prothman Consulting, a public sector recruitment service.
With the majority of the commission in favor of the deputy position, Port staff would now look to include the position in its 2024 budget.
The idea of a deputy executive director was first brought up by Commissioner Amy Evans Harding, who said that she had previously talked to Interim Executive Director Rudy Rudolph and HR Director Ben McDonald about the new role.
Evans Harding said that once an executive director is hired, the new director would get to hire a deputy to support them.
Cliff Moore from Prothman Consulting, which is helping the port find a new executive director, said that executive direction covers a broad set of responsibilities, so a deputy could assist the director in areas where they might not have experience. Moore added that a deputy could make the executive director position more attractive to applicants.
Moore advised the port to provide a budget for the proposed position to allow the executive director, once hired, to hire a deputy if needed. He added that the port could budget for just half a year with a deputy on the city's payroll, since the role won’t be filled until later in 2024 after the new executive director assesses what areas they need help with.
Commissioner Joe Downing was the only commissioner to reject the proposal, stating concerns over the cost of hiring a deputy executive director.
“You're gonna have to do something about the pay scale,” Downing said. “I think the board has already taken some heat for having an executive director that basically gets paid as much as any city manager in Thurston County.”
Downing also suggested leaving it up to the executive director to bring the idea forward if they need a deputy in the future.
Evans Harding believed that a deputy position would allow the port to send a message that they are “resetting the table.”
“I'm just wanting to demonstrate that we are committed to investing in the success of our executive director,” Evans Harding said. “Maybe that's not necessary, but to me, this demonstrates that we're resetting the table [and that] we're investing in this person's success.”
Commissioner Bob Iyall also supported the creation of a deputy position, believing the position to be “helpful and relevant” due to the many responsibilities of the port.
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Tractor1
Yea -- lets add another layer of deniability. How does "Olympia stack up against other Washington Port Commissions for a "model" port commission and what are the concrete needs for the position?
Seems to be a" Band Aid" for poor oversi9ght by the Port Commission. And if memory serves me. this IS NOT that the3 same, or close to it< situation has faced the4 commission. And cost the Port and the public for questionable outlays!
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Report this
olyhiker
Why? Is business so good that they need another person to handle everything? I don't think so.
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Report this
BobJacobs
Why would a deputy executive director be needed for such a small staff? Span of control seems very reasonable now.
The executive director needs to manage the few department heads and give them freedom to do their jobs.
Basic management principles.
Bob Jacobs
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Report this
AugieH
Why can't a new executive director with a work ethic enabling him/her to do the job without an assistant be hired instead of creating a new position for another paper pusher to suck up tax dollars?
Saturday, October 28, 2023 Report this
estelleseeley
We do not need another 'executive'.
You all tighten your belts and do your jobs. And some extra, if needed. The citizens are broke and you have your hand out for more superfluous money.
No.
Monday, November 6, 2023 Report this