In 2020 Wilkes-Barre City Health Director Henry Radulski, right, are seen discussing COVID-19 and the postponement of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with Mayor George Brown, center, and Fire Chief Jay Delaney, looking on.
Times Leader file photo
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — The city’s retired Health Director will help select his replacement, City Administrator Charlie McCormick said Friday.
Henry Radulski stepped down in April after more than 30 years working for the city. He has remained in the position at an hourly rate of $55 with no benefits, rather than drawing his annual salary budgeted at $86,804 this year.
McCormick said 10 applications were submitted by the Thursday deadline for the $80,000-a-year, full-time director post. Radulski will have the opportunity to go through them, McCormick said.
“He’ll review the applications and give (Mayor George Brown) a recommendation,” McCormick said.
Radulski’s retirement left the city non-compliant with the state law requiring local health departments such as Wilkes-Barre’s to employ a full-time director. Allentown, Bethlehem and York are the other cities in the state with their own health departments.
McCormick noted the state had not notified Wilkes-Barre of any penalties for the non-compliance. Most of the director’s salary is paid through state grants, McCormick said.
“We have a process that we’re going through,” McCormick said, adding the city is cooperating with the state Health Department to fill the health director position.
The city Health Department also posted a job for a Community Health Nurse/Opioid Awareness Coordinator. Friday was the application deadline for the $65,000-a-year position represented by the Public Service Employees Local #1310.
The job descriptions for the director and nurse positions stated employees could either reside in the city or with 13.5 standard miles from City Hall.
Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.