By Nita McCann

NATCHEZ — If you are a City of Natchez employee, you’re being encouraged to apply for the post of superintendent of the Natchez Water Works – but you better make it quick.

Water Works officials have posted notices in several city offices encouraging current employees to apply for the position left vacant by current Water Works Superintendent David Gardner.

Gardner announced this weekend that he is retiring as superintendent after being in that position since 2005.

Gardner had already retired as city engineer, the role for which the city initially hired him in 1993.

“We’re trying to go in house first,” said Delores Vines, Water Works board chairperson. “We’re asking them to apply by Feb. 17, because that’s when our next meeting is and we want to be ready to review those applications.”

If no suitable candidates are found internally, the Water Works board will then advertise in newspapers including The Natchez Democrat and the Clarion-Ledger. There is no legal requirement spelling out how long the position must be advertised, Gardner said.

He added, however, that he would like for the board to get someone in place before he leaves in late June. He said he has already received some inquiries regarding the position.

“I would like them to be in place before I leave, so we have time to get them acclimated,” Gardner said. “It’s definitely in everybody’s best interest to have someone in place as soon as possible.”

Water Works board members, with the exception of Vines, could not be reached for comment prior to press time.

Since the Board of Aldermen does not have jurisdiction over Water Works, it will not be involved in the selection of the new superintendent, Gardner said.