Attorney David J. Betras, Chairman of the Mahoning County Board of Elections (BOE) has announced on Tuesday that a four-person committee will review applications submitted for the position of deputy director.

From there, the committee will interview and vet candidates and make a hiring recommendation to the full board.

The position is under provisions of the Ohio Revised Code and must be filled by a registered Democrat. It became available when long-time BOE Director Joyce Kale-Pesta retired earlier in the year.

Kale-Pesta serves as the chair of the Mahoning Valley Democratic Party and is one of Ohio's most respected election officials and is assuming a seat on the board.

The selection committee consists of Attorney Betras, Kale-Pesta, Herb Washington, Founder and CEO of HLW Fast Track Inc and Kathy McNabb-Welsh, Chief Deputy Clerk of the Mahoning County Courts.

"Given the critical role the deputy director plays in ensuring the integrity of our electoral process, Joyce and I thought it was extremely important to involve trusted community leaders like Herb and Kathy in what will be a fair and transparent selection process," Betras said.

Applications and detailed job descriptions can be found at the BOE office (435 Oak Hill Ave. Suite 101, Youngstown) or downloaded here. Applications must be submitted by mail or emailed to Jpesta@mahoningcountyoh.gov no later than Friday, Dec. 17.

The position pays $81k per year.