Copyright The Boston Globe
Governor Kelly A. Ayotte is hoping to hire several leaders to fill what she described as “critical roles” in state government to serve the people of New Hampshire, so her team launched a webpage Tuesday to highlight key vacancies. “We’re looking for talented, qualified individuals who want to give back to our state in these important positions,” Ayotte said in a statement calling attention to four current opportunities, “and I encourage anyone who is interested to send in an application.” When applying for a vacant position with any employer, it’s generally a good idea for job seekers to try and understand why the vacancy exists. Stepping into a role after someone was promoted to another position, for example, may be a very different experience from stepping in after someone was let go. Advertisement For those considering applying, here is some background on how the four vacancies on Ayotte’s list came to be: 1. Business and Economic Affairs commissioner Taylor Caswell — who was paid $137,000 last year — had been commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs since its creation in 2017, but he resigned this month after three of the state’s five executive councilors criticized his leadership and opposed his renomination. The three councilors said they want to see the department proactively recruit employers and invest more in economic development initiatives for rural areas. The department had also faced scrutiny on Caswell’s watch for promoting LGBTQ+ Pride events and helping a Chinese billionaire’s bottled beverage business make a major investment in Nashua. 2. Public utilities commissioner Daniel C. Goldner — who earned $149,000 last year — had been serving as commissioner and chairman of the Public Utilities Commission since 2021, but Ayotte opted in September not to renominate him. Ayotte publicly criticized a decision Goldner signed off on in July, when the commission OK’d a rate hike by Eversource, the state’s largest electric company. Advertisement Ayotte’s list says candidates for this role “must believe in protecting ratepayers first and foremost, ensuring fair rates and reliable service for all of New Hampshire.” 3. State Parks director Brian Wilson had been serving as director of the New Hampshire State Parks since 2022 — a role for which he earned $117,000 last year — but he decided earlier this year to take a new job in Connecticut, where he had worked previously, as InDepthNH reported in March. The governor’s list says the ideal candidate for this job “should have a love for the outdoors and strong business acumen” to oversee 93 properties across the state. 4. State librarian Michael York — who earned nearly $117,000 in 2023 — had been the “state librarian,” a director-level position within the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, for 25 years before his retirement in December. Governor Chris Sununu tried to name Mindy S. Atwood as York’s successor before leaving office, but he withdrew her nomination under pressure from conservative activists who disapproved of her opposition to book bans. Ayotte’s list says she is looking for someone with a master’s degree in library science and “passion for learning, sharing knowledge, and celebrating our great state.” Although the hiring freeze Ayotte imposed in January remains in effect across many state government jobs, the governor can always grant waivers on a case-by-case basis. This story appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, a free newsletter focused on New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles elsewhere. To receive it via email Monday through Friday, sign up here. Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
