Juneau’s city manager is making changes to key leadership positions. Shortly after the New Year, Deputy City Manager Rob Steedle will be the Director of Community Development and Human Resources Director Mila Cosgrove will move into the deputy city manager role.
Steedle has been serving as interim head of community development since former director Hal Hart left in September. City Manager Kim Kiefer said after two rounds of recruitment, no one in the applicant pool was a good fit.
“Then I looked at Rob and he knows what is needed both internally and externally to continue to move economic development forward in our community,” Kiefer said.
As community development director, Steedle will oversee the department responsible for the city’s land use laws, including building and zoning codes. For Steedle, the job change is a voluntary demotion.
To fill the deputy city manager position, Kiefer appointed Cosgrove.
“Her skill set, her understanding of the departments – because she’s the HR director, she touches all departments within the city and she has a good understanding of our workforce,” Kiefer said.
The manager and the deputy city manager split supervision duties of department heads. The deputy city manager also assists the assembly, fills in as acting city manager when needed and serves as the city’s hearing officer for parking violations, among other duties.
Kiefer says Cosgrove will also help with the transition to a new city manager. Kiefer originally planned to retire at the end of this month, but extended her time through the end of April. The city has already gone through one recruitment period and is set to start a new one soon.
To fill the human resources director opening, Kiefer has the option to appoint someone or go out for a new hire. The city’s HR director is also head of HR for Bartlett Regional Hospital.
Kiefer also announced a brand new city job – chief housing officer.
“That person will be a very outward focused person, really working with developers and lenders and contractors to build housing in this community, a variety of different kind of housing and maybe bring in new ideas on how we can do it possibly different than how we’re doing it to bring more stock out there,” Kiefer said.
The chief housing officer job announcement is open until filled. The salary ranges between $92,000 and $98,000 annually.
