KALAMAZOO, MI -- Long-time Deputy County Administrator John Faul is retiring.

Effective July 28, his nine-year career in Kalamazoo County will come to an end. A listing for the full-time position was posted on March 12, though Faul announced his intention to resign in a letter sent to the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 25.

"I look back at the nine years in which I spent serving the County, both as Deputy as well as Interim Administrator, with great pride," Faul said in a written statement.

"The accomplishments the team achieved under my leadership included balanced budgets, improved services to the County as well as project management for numerous facility enhancements. While these were memorable, it is the people with whom I served that I will remember most fondly. Kalamazoo County is blessed to have such dedicated employees, and it was an honor to work alongside them."

Faul, 58, has been the county's deputy administrator since 2008, and took recurring stints as an interim administrator in the wake of several vacancies at the position during the last few years.

He first stepped into the role in fall 2014 following the resignation of Peter Battani, and again following the resignation of Terrence Neuzil in April, finally returning to his post when Tracie Moored was hired in November 2016.

Within the last year months, Faul's family has experienced substantial loss. His brother Steven died in July 2016, followed by his father Dick in October 2016 and mother Betty in February.

Before coming to Kalamazoo County government, Faul served as the Van Buren County administrator from 2000 to 2006. He was also director of planning and land management for the county through the Michigan State University Extension office.

Moored and Faul started in Kalamazoo County within a few months of each other.

"It's a whole different administrative structure since we started," Moored said. "In the last nine years we've done a lot as an organization. I wish John well, I'm excited for him and county government."

Faul's replacement will be paid a base salary of $110,000 and assist Moored in the strategic leadership and execution of county services to citizens of Kalamazoo County. The deputy administrator will also maintain effective working relationships with employees, county officials, and the public.

Faul said he and Moored agreed that the length of time between his notice and retirement was mutually beneficial to ensure a smooth transition.

"For me the biggest thing as a new administrator is I won't have that deputy to assist with projects and it's establishing the vision but then having someone able to execute that," Moored said. "He very graciously gave us plenty of time to start the process and I hope by the time he leaves in July we have a good fit for that position."

Moored said she hopes to hire a replacement before Faul's retirement date so he can help ease the transition of a new deputy.

According to the listing, Kalamazoo County is seeking a driven leader with an ability to see projects to completion and a track record of leading teams toward desired outcomes.

The county is seeking candidates with a bachelor's degree in public administration or a related field, and five-years of senior management experience; or any comparable combination of education, training, and experience. A master's degree in public administration or a related field is preferred.

Candidates should also have experience working with a policy-making board and knowledge of executive administration. Other valuable skills include the ability to analyze and interpret technical information and demonstrate high-quality verbal and written communication and presentation skills.

The deputy county administrator is also expected to improve economic development and services provided to the community, assist courts and elected offices and their departments and help develop the county's facilities master plan.

Other responsibilities include publicly representing the county to the community, news media and other units of government, and representing the county during the collective bargaining process.

The deputy will also assume county administrator responsibilities in Moored's absence.