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Montezuma County Administrator Shak Powers resigns

Montezuma County Administrator Shak Powers has resigned to take a job with Region 9 Economic Development District. Powers recently received an award from Region 9 for Economic Development Leader of the Year.
Powers takes job with Region 9 Economic Development

Montezuma County is seeking a new county administrator.

Current administrator Shak Powers announced he will resign to take a project manager position with Region 9 Economic Development. His last day is June 17.

“I have been honored to work with the commissioners, staff and public to address many issues during my time in administration,” Powers stated in a Montezuma County Facebook post. “In my new position with Region 9, I am committed to continuing to work with the county to engage the needs of the county as well as the region.”

Powers has been county administrator since December 2018, and was previously the county landfill manager. He said his new position with Region 9 will focus on broadband, housing and economic development issues.

A job posting for the county administrator position states the county is seeking qualified applicants. Preferred qualifications include:

  • Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business or closely related field.
  • Or least five years of direct progressive experience in local government administration.
  • Or equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.

The posted salary range for county administrator is $103,000 to $114,000, depending on experience and qualifications. The position is open until filled.

A complete job description and applications are available online at www.montezumacounty.org.

Email a letter of interest, a resume and an application to finance@co.montezuma.co.us or to Montezuma County Administration, Attn: County Administrator Job Search, 109 West Main St., Room 260, Cortez, Colorado 81321

Montezuma County Commissioner Kent Lindsay said about five applications have come in and are being reviewed.

“Shak will be hard to replace. He really hit his stride in the position and served the county well,” Lindsay said.

Lindsay said the county will take time to hire the right candidate. If a replacement is not found by the time Powers leaves, an interim may be named, or the administrator duties could be temporarily shared among current staff and the three county commissioners.

“Our departments are running well right now, so we are in a good position to take the time to find the right candidate,” he said.

According to Colorado Open Records Act, the name or names of finalists for the county administrator position must be made public no later than 14 days before the job is filled.

Records submitted by the finalist or finalists are available for public inspection except for letters of reference and medical, psychological and sociological data.

Commissioners said the county will follow the statute.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com