SCRANTON — Lackawanna County’s director of roads and bridges will soon retire but continue consulting for the county to support a number of ongoing projects and the transition to a new director.
Commissioners Thom Welby, Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak recently approved a six-month consulting agreement with Director Larry Lukasik commencing June 1. Lukasik, 66, began his tenure with the county in 2008 and will retire as an employee at the end of May, he confirmed.
He’ll be paid $100 per hour as a contractor and work up to 16 hours per week during the term of the consulting agreement. In that capacity, he’ll provide advice and recommendations to county officials, assist in the preparation of schedules, consult on ongoing infrastructure and construction projects, and help with the transition of the next director, per the agreement.
Lukasik (Photo Courtesy of Lackawanna County)
The county advertised the director position in a late-March job posting that closed this past Wednesday. It was not immediately clear how many people applied, but the listed job duties include scheduling upgrades, repairs and inspections of about 151 bridges and 30 miles of road and collaborating with the state Department of Transportation, the county engineer and municipal officials to complete roads and bridges projects, among others.
Chermak, who touted Lukasik as a long-tenured and “very knowledgeable person,” discussed the pending vacancy last week before commissioners approved the consulting agreement.
“We are searching for someone to replace Larry,” he said. “I would hope that we can find someone that has some engineering experience, some bridge experience, road and maintenance experience (and experience) dealing with employees.”
Chermak also touted the county’s “small but mighty” roads and bridges crew and its “great” equipment and facilities.
“So it’s a good place to work,” he said. “The county is a good place to work.”
While the recent job posting already closed, county Chief of Staff Brian Jeffers said officials might post the job again, depending on the initial response.
“We would like multiple applicants to choose from,” Jeffers said in a text message. “If we didn’t get multiple candidates we will be posting again.”
Noting his commitment to bring the next director “up to speed,” Lukasik confirmed he’ll work with the county to help fill his position and facilitate a smooth transition thereafter.
Asked about his time leading the department ahead of his pending retirement, Lukasik said he “always did what I thought was best for the people of Lackawanna County.”
More information on the county’s roads and bridges department, including lists of county-owned roads and bridges, is available online at lackawannacounty.org.