Marinette County is moving ahead with its search for a new county administrator; finalizing the qualifications, recruitment materials and background-check process that will be used to evaluate candidates.

The County Executive Committee reviewed the proposed recruitment plan, including feedback gathered from county officials about the qualities and experience they want in the next administrator.

The minimum experience requirement is being reduced from ten years to four years, widening the potential pool of qualified applicants.

The county’s recruitment consultant says survey responses also identified several major issues the next administrator will need to address.

Other priorities include county highway needs, deteriorating infrastructure, attracting and retaining good-paying jobs and finding a new use for the former U-W Green Bay Marinette campus.

Committee members also discussed how criminal, employment and educational background checks will be handled once a preferred candidate is selected.

County Human Resources officials cautioned against using background checks to narrow the field before a hiring decision is made.

Officials say the checks must comply with state law and employment regulations, including providing candidates an opportunity to respond if potentially disqualifying information is found.

Initial candidates will submit resumes through the recruitment firm. A formal county application and additional screening would come later in the process.

the committee also reviewed the advertising plan and corrected several items in the recruitment brochure, including the county’s total expense budget.

The position is expected to be advertised through the county, professional organizations and other recruitment sites as Marinette County works to identify its next administrator.

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