Jefferson City fire chief named interim city administrator
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Jefferson City Fire Chief Matt Schofield was approved at the Monday City Council meeting to serve as the interim city administrator as the city continues to search for a full-time replacement, according to a press release.
Schofield will take over duties from City Attorney Ryan Moehlman on June 5. Moehlman was originally picked at the acting city administrator from April 17-May 15 after Steven Crowell stepped down from the position on April 17.
"I have full confidence in Chief Schofield to do a great job as interim city administrator," Moehlman said. "Chiefs going to do a great job at building the appropriate landing strip for the new city administrator."
Moehlman said the city is casting a broad net nationwide looking for an appropriate candidate. He said the job has lots of attributes a candidate needs to possess in order to get the job. He said it could take months.
"If we bring someone in from out of town to do the job, there's a relocation and that could take quite a bit of time," Moehlman said. "The intention is to keep Chief Schofield in this position until we find a permanent city administrator."
The City’s posting for the city administrator position is set to close on Friday, May 26.
Schofield told ABC 17 News in an email that he will continue to serve as fire chief while taking on city administrator duties.
“During this time Division Chief (Jerry) Blomberg and Division Chief (Jason) Turner will help assume some of the day-to-day duties of the Fire Chief and alternate as the Point of Contact for the Jefferson City Fire Department,” Schofield told ABC 17 News in an email.
Moelhman said city administrators around the country can be found with backgrounds in many types of city departments.
"Chief Schofield has a ton of experience with the city," Moehlman said. "He's been employed here well over 20 years. He has great leadership skills, well respected throughout the organization and in the community as well."
Schofield has been employed with the City since 1999 and has served as fire chief since 2014, according to the release.
“I am committed to providing a strong foundation for the Mayor, City Council, and our future City Administrator to build upon. With help from the entire city staff, we will continue to strive for excellent customer service to our community while promoting good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us,” Schofield said in a press release.
