By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

The qualities and qualifications of Ellis County's first county administrator outline a distinct profile, according to the county's search adviser.

With preferred qualifications including previous experience working in county government and at the administrator level, as well as personal or professional experience with rural populations, search adviser Marla Flentje said county officials seem to know who they want in the position.

"Much of this will be discerned, not through looking at resumes, but through reference checking, background checking and the interview process itself," said Flentje, a consultant with Overland Park-based search firm the Austin Peters Group.

Ellis County commissioners approved a recruitment profile Monday detailing what they are looking for in an administrator. It also outlines a timeline for when the administrator could be on board -- as soon as mid-July.

Flentje will begin the process now of sending out the profile and job announcement to professional organizations such as the Kansas Association of Counties, League of Kansas Municipalities and the International City/County Management Association. Applications are due April 15.

According to the timeline established in the profile, commissioners would announce finalists May 11 and conduct interviews of those finalists during the week of May 25. An employment agreement could be in place by mid-June.

Listed as opportunities and challenges for the administrator when he or she comes on board are the space needs of the county, including possible future expansion of the Ellis County jail; strengthening teamwork internally; developing more partnerships externally with cities and other counties; reducing administrative costs; and oversight of the county's zoning regulations.

Flentje said the qualities the county is seeking in its administrator, including leadership and decision-making abilities, should facilitate meeting those opportunities and challenges.

"This is what I heard both from you and in many cases, reinforced from ... employee focus groups," Flentje said Monday. "I think these add up to a pretty distinct profile of the person that you're looking for."