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Civil Service Merit Board unanimously hires Melissa Foster as executive secretary
Summary
The Civil Service Merit Board on July 9 unanimously approved the appointment of Melissa (Missy) Foster as its executive secretary after a citywide search that produced 81 applicants and six finalists.
The Civil Service Merit Board on July 9 unanimously approved hiring Melissa (Missy) Foster as the civil service executive secretary following a search that screened 81 applicants and interviewed six finalists.
The board’s executive search committee recommended Foster as its sole candidate after three finalists were interviewed. Jamie Roberts, speaking for the committee, said members were unanimous in endorsing Foster and asked the board to consider the committee’s recommendation. The board moved, seconded and voted in favor; all present board members indicated “aye.”
Foster told the board she has worked for the city for 18 years, serving as an HR analyst and as the fire department’s analyst for 18 years and supporting the police department for about seven years. “I was interested in this job because for the last 7 years I’ve been the backup to the executive secretary and I really enjoyed that work,” Foster said. She said her current duties include promotional test creation, administering testing, managing referrals, posting jobs and screening applicants, and that she has helped perform executive secretary duties when the incumbent was absent.
The search committee described a multi-step screening process: 81 total applications were redacted and screened, six finalists were interviewed, and three candidates were invited to final interviews before the committee settled on Foster. Board members praised Foster’s experience and knowledge of department procedures during a short question-and-answer session.
Board members also discussed transition planning. Nick Bradshaw said he and Foster would work on a handover; Bradshaw suggested a transition window he later described in discussion as approximately 60 days to conclude ongoing projects and allow Foster to take over duties gradually.
Action: The board recorded a motion to hire Melissa Foster; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. No board member voiced opposition.
Provenance: The board’s recommendation and Foster’s remarks appear in the meeting record beginning at 00:23:34 and the vote is recorded at 00:30:52.
