By JOHN O'CONNELL

Capital Press

The state has hired a recruiter to find qualified applicants and expedite the search for an Idaho Department of Water Resources director's position that's been open since July 2009.

Upon completion of her task, Donna Svei, of Sun Valley, will be paid 20 percent of the new director's starting salary. The director's position pays between $89,000 and $135,000, said Vicki Tokita, administrator of the Idaho Division of Human Resources.

The position was vacated when former director David Tuthill retired. Gary Spackman, who was administrator of the Water Management Division, has been serving as interim director.

Svei started work in December, and her contract runs through the end of 2012.

"We don't have the resources to make this (search) a 40-hour job. We thought it would be better to get an executive recruiter," Tokita explained.

The director interprets Idaho water law and often gives the final word on complex water cases. The department received several applications from candidates prior to retaining Svei, but few had the qualifications, such as having a civil engineering license and a thorough knowledge of Western water law, Tokita said.

Tokita said Svei was chosen based on her background in finding qualified candidates, including engineers, for both the public and private sectors. The department also prioritized hiring an Idaho resident for the search.

Svei maintains a database with contacts for more than 800 civil engineers throughout the West and Midwest and recently notified those on the list that the position is available.

The top candidates screened by Svei will be interviewed by a panel.

Spackman was among the recipients of the mass e-mail Svei sent to contacts. He said he received it on Feb. 6 and plans to apply.

Tuthill, who has been impressed by the interim director's performance, fears it could set the state back to bring in a director from outside Idaho.

"In IDWR, we say it takes two years for training a water resource agent, and the job of the director is more complex," Tuthill said.

"There are many pressures that come toward the person in that position. It's important the director be able to make decisions independent of those pressures based on facts and on the law."

Ron Shurtleff, watermaster of Water District 65, believes the interim label has hindered the effectiveness of the director's position, though he considers Spackman an ideal candidate.

"I do believe a new person in that position would be ineffective for a period of time, basically until he is brought up to speed on background of so many issues that are on the director's plate at this time," Shurtleff said.