The replacement process is under way for a new coordinator of the Hall County Extension.

John Parks, the extension's district director, said the position, which will be vacated by Billy Skaggs on Friday, was posted internally and the search closed Monday. He wasn't aware of how many people applied for the spot.

Skaggs will become the new chief operating officer at the Georgia Department of Agriculture later this month.

The extension is hoping to fill the position internally to save money through a subsequent vacant position, he said.

Interviews should be wrapped up within the month, with the extension hoping to have someone in the position by March 1. That's a rough estimate, though, Parks said, and an actual start date will be determined based on where the new hire lives and if the person needs to relocate.

In the meantime, Gene Anderson, who held the position before Skaggs, will be filing in on a part-time basis to "hold the fort down," and help with handling calls and questions, Parks said.

Anderson, who worked for the extension for 28 years and served nine years as Hall County coordinator, said he is excited to be back in his old office.

"I'm looking forward to the people, the farmers, the gardeners, the Master Gardeners, the people I had a chance to work with for so long," he said. "... People who make their living farming or in the (agricultural) business or who are interested in gardening are just great people, and they're fun to work with."

Bob Waldorf, director of the Banks County extension office, will also be taking over some administrative duties for the office during the hiring process, Parks said.

Parks said he isn't expecting the extension to add any new programming or make major changes while the replacement process is under way. But Anderson said time without a full-time director shouldn't stall progress.

During the interview process, Parks said he will focus on finding a new coordinator who can handle the "complex" agricultural industry in Hall County.

"It's a large county. It's got a large diversified agricultural base," he said. "... You're looking for someone obviously that's got some technical expertise but you're also looking for someone who's got experience in a county, handling a fairly large county and staff."

Anderson said much of what the extension handles is education-related, so it's going to be imperative that they hire a new coordinator who is not only well-versed in agriculture but also is a good communicator.

Parks said he is optimistic the department can find a new leader who will carry the extension in the right direction.

"When we hired Billy I told him he had big shoes to fill from Gene. And Gene had big shoes to fill from Bob Lowe," he said. "And they've all filled them well and created their own shoes for the next person."