Former Jackson County Emergency Services Director Todd Dillard, 61, was let go by the county last week.
Michael Forbis remains the county fire marshal while serving as interim emergency management director, according to County Manager Kevin King.
The decision was not made during closed session of the commission meeting last Tuesday. No decisions were made in closed session, Board Chair Mark Letson said. NonethelessThe move was at the direction of the commissioners, King said.
“Under North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-82), the County Manager, with the approval and direction of the Board of Commissioners, may hire or fire employees of the county,” County Attorney John Kubis said. “Approval is required for hiring and appointment of department directors. After appointment, the county manager may suspend or remove a department head with input from the board. The board does not take a vote for termination.”
No official announcement was made, as the matter was about personnel, he said.
Dillard worked in emergency services his entire adult life.
His father was a charter member of the Cashiers Fire Department. Two days before reaching the mandatory age of 18, Dillard joined, too. Since then, he’s spent his working days in emergency management in one fashion or another.
He served for 11 years as the EMS technician with the Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad. He was also a member of the Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department. He was appointed Jackson County fire marshal in 2003 and took move to emergency management director in 2006.
In 2016 Dillard received the Colonel Philip Nicholas Waters Award, presented annually to a local emergency management director who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their emergency management program.
The county is looking to fill the position soon. Dillard worked Tuesday, Aug. 19 and the job was posted Aug. 21.
“The application process will be open until Sept. 19 and then interviews will be conducted,” King said.
The job is listed in the employment opportunities on the county’s website. It pays $62,552.72 - $82,572.86 annually, depending on experience.
While a bachelor’s degree is preferred, an equivalent combination of education and experience will suffice. A high school diploma or equivalent with 10 years directly related experience or an associate’s degree and five to 10 years directly related experience, or a bachelor’s degree and two to five years directly related experience. Someone with a master’s degree can have two or fewer years directly related experience.
Applicants must be able to obtain North Carolina Division of Emergency Management Certifications, including North Carolina Executive Emergency Manager, and be able to work a varied work schedule, including nights, holidays and weekends during an emergency situation.