Jackson County is searching for a new county manager to oversee planning for the area, which despite some growth has still been forced into budget cuts and layoffs.

On Tuesday, Jackson County posted a revised job description for the position. The manager is accountable to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, and that has been a tall order for past managers.

Interim County Manager Leonard Myers was summoned back into service March 7 after the prompted resignation of Darrell Hampton.

Hampton was responsible for recommending a reduction in force that trimmed the county workforce in an effort to balance the budget. Hampton's contract had been extended to the end of 2011 but allowed commissioners to end that employment without cause.

Myers met with county directors and department heads on March 15, the day after Hampton's last day. Myers also served as interim manager when Hampton's predecessor Crandall O. Jones was fired from the post in February 2007.

Myers said he will be contacting Jackson County residents to serve on a reading committee to review applications.

"I'll be asking citizens who know a lot about the community and know what they want in a manager," Myers said.

"I'll be asking individuals who have a vision for the future of Jackson County."

The posting on the county's website will remain up until a county manager is hired, said Myers, who added officials will be contacting some potential applicants.

The selection process will be similar to previous searches for a county manager. The reading committee will screen applications and provide five unranked applications to commissioners. They'll select two other candidates in case any of the first five already have secured employment.

Salary depends on qualifications, and a minimum of five years of management experience with a "progressively responsible city or county" is desired.