Etowah commission receives applications for CAO job

The Etowah County Commission has received Three applications for the position of chief administrative Officer

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The position has been advertised since last week, when the commission appointed three commissioners to oversee the application process.

The job has been vacant since the commission voted two weeks ago to terminate the contract of Patrick Simms, charged in February with sex abuse of a child in Chambers County.

Simms was placed on paid leave in February and arrested a week later after he allegedly abused a child younger than 12.

He continued to receive a salary until his contract was terminated.

Simms was paid three months’ compensation — about $27,500 — under the terms of his contract. His salary was $110,688 and he had fully paid health care benefits, vacation and sick leave. His contract was through July 2016.

The advertisement for the job states the salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

The job requirements state the CAO is responsible to properly plan, organize and direct financial functions of the county, including an operating budget of about $20 million.

The CAO is appointed by the county commissioners, and is responsible for daily supervision of the county commission’s office and staff, and general supervision of non-elected department heads responsible to the commission.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration and five years’ experience in government administration, or 10 years’ experience in government administration.