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Bookhamer hired in February after two-year vacancy at position
By Kay Stephens
kstephens@altoonamirror.com
HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County is again looking for a Children, Youth & Families administrator.
Paul A. Bookhamer, a caseworker who was promoted in February to the job that was filled on a temporary basis for about two years, resigned last week.
Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept Bookhamer's resignation.
On Wednesday, the county salary board voted to recreate the position with an annual salary range of $64,056 to $69,180, depending on experience and qualifications.
Commissioner Laura Burke, liaison commissioner to the CYF office, said Tuesday that a new search will be initiated to fill the vacant job.
In the meantime, Burke said she's in charge of the department.
County leaders have declined to comment on Bookhamer's resignation or have indicated that they don't know why he resigned.
Burke said she was on vacation when the resignation was submitted.
The Mirror was unable to reach Bookhamer for comment.
In February, commissioners hired Bookhamer for the leadership position that hadn't had a full-time administrator since March 2020 when Ashley Gehrdes resigned.
After Gehrdes left, the director's work temporarily fell to others in the office until October 2020 when James Hudack, director of the county's social services office, agreed to temporarily manage both offices.
When Bookhamer took the job, Hudack's dual assignment ended.
Bookhamer, after settling into the new job, attempted to address understaffing in the office by turning to local employment agencies that could provide temporary workers.
Commissioners followed through on that option and signed three contracts with employment agencies outlining terms and costs of using agency personnel.
Human Resources Director Katherine Swigart said Wednesday that the agencies have provided some personnel for the county. The county has also been able to fill some jobs that would have otherwise been filled by agency personnel, she said.
The county regularly posts job openings on its website at
www.blairco.org
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.