The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors will gather Wednesday and Thursday evening of this week at the Parks & Rec Building at Sunnyside Park, to begin interviews of five finalists for the Assistant Parks and Rec Director’s position. Current Director Roger Herring’s five-year contract with the City expires in May, 2016.

Parks Dir. Roger Herring talks to the Board about the Asst. Director finalists.

In September, Herring asked the Board to start looking for someone to succeed him. He said the assistant would learn the Operations aspect of the department, which would allow Herring to work on other, important aspects of the job, such as grant-writing.

During Monday evening’s meeting. Herring told the Board a screening committee whittled-down 30 applicants for the position to eight finalists, but he thought that was still too many, so he asked them to pair down their selections again, and they came up with six. One of the candidates however withdrew their name from contention.

Herring said the applicants were all highly qualified and experienced. The Board received binders containing information on all five finalists. They also handed Herring a list of prepared questions, which will be pared down to eliminate duplicates.

There are three interviews scheduled for Wednesday, with the remaining two candidates to be interviewed Thursday evening. Afterward, the Board will discuss the candidates, make reference calls if necessary, conduct further background checks and then meet no later than next week to select their choice for the position.