Schoharie County will be looking to replace one of its longest-tenured department heads in the coming months.
Paul Brady, commissioner of Social Services since 1998, was named Social Services commissioner for Schenectady County last week.
Mr. Brady's last day in Schoharie County will be March 4, but officials will have a replacement plan in place by then, according to Administrator Steve Wilson.
"This will be the first department head appointment since we've had an administrator," said Mr. Wilson, who's been on the job just two months.
"We want to make sure we have a process everyone can sign on to and works beyond this one."
The post is a key one because Social Services is the county's largest department, with around 80 employees and a budget of roughly $17 million.
Even with Mr. Brady leaving, the department is in good shape, both men said.
"Schoharie County is very well regarded around the state as a very professional Social Services operation," Mr. Wilson said.
Being in such high regard makes the position an attractive one for applicants, Mr. Wilson added.
"They have a very great management team. . .on top of things and very professional," he said.
Mr. Brady agreed, describing his staff as experienced and long tenured "and will benefit whoever comes into this job."
After Mr. Brady leaves, the Board of Supervisors will appoint an interim commissioner who'll serve during the search.
"We want to take time to do it right," said Mr. Wilson, adding that the supervisors' Personnel Committee will be heavily involved.
Mr. Brady, 55, is replacing Dennis Packard in Schenectady County. Mr. Packard retired January 1.
Mr. Brady said he became interested in the job when Schenectady County officials contacted him this past fall.
New challenges intrigued him.
"Even though the counties are contiguous, Schenectady is very different--maybe 31,000 people here to 155,000 there," he said.
"And in Schenectady, there are rural parts of the county, some suburban, and urban. There are pretty diverse issues."
Mr. Brady came to Schoharie County from Delaware County, feeling he could make a smooth transition from a deputy commissioner to commissioner.
But the move wasn't that smooth. Mr. Brady had to learn how to create a budget, manage an entire department and work with the Board of Supervisors.
He credited Dick Hanson, the late Middleburgh supervisor, with "being a fantastic mentor."
And now Mr. Brady is taking his experience to Schenectady County.
"Does what I learned here translate?" he asked. "It may require a new set of skills."
His salary in Schoharie County is about $92,000; in Schenectady, it will be $122,000.
Mr. Brady lives in the Village of Schoharie but will eventually move to Schenectady County.