Commissioners approve walk-in job description to backfill treasurer duties

The Skamania County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 25, 2025, approved a walk-in job description from the county treasurer to create a regular-position role that will be trained to perform duties currently handled by a departing deputy.

Vicky Clowensk, identified in the meeting as Skamania County treasurer, told the board she originally planned to hire a chief deputy and pay that person at the higher rate while they trained to take over the departing deputy's duties. She said that after reconsideration she plans to hire a regular position (range 17) and have that person learn the current deputy's responsibilities before later appointing a chief deputy from within the office if appropriate.

"It's actually gonna be less costly for the county that I do it this way," Clowensk said, adding that the change is already approved in the budget. She described a training period during which the departing employee will transfer institutional knowledge; she said office staff have some cross-training but that nobody yet knows the departing deputy's full set of duties.

Commission discussion touched on cross-training, local hiring, and the treasurer's plan for eventual selection of a chief deputy. One commissioner called it a good opportunity to hire locally and build capacity within the office. The clerk confirmed that the job description and position were already budgeted.

The board voted to approve the job description by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion as carried. No roll-call tally was announced during the meeting.

The treasurer thanked the board and her staff after the vote.