Who will lead Natick's Health Department? Here's where the search for a new director stands.

NATICK — When former Public Health Director Jim White retired in September after 41 years in the Health Department — 12 of which were spent at the helm — he set a high bar.

The search for White’s permanent replacement has been underway since he announced his retirement in July.

Board of Health Chair Donald Breda said in a phone interview the town has received several applications, including one from acting Public Health Director Michael Boudreau, a Health Department veteran who stepped into the top role on an interim basis.

Breda said the town has so far conducted three interviews for the director position, which took place about a month ago. He was uncertain about the hiring timeline.

“We're still waiting to see if other applications come in,” Breda said.

Previous coverage: Jim White retires after 41 years in the Natick Health Dept.

The Health Department needs a candidate who is technically competent, works well with large staffs and is willing to put in additional time for town meetings and any emergency situations that arise, he said.

“I don't know there is such a thing as an ideal director,” Breda added. “Some people might say the ideal director would be someone exactly like the person who retired, (White), who was an outstanding person and really has large shoes to fill.”

The public health director reports to the Board of Health and town administration. Town Administrator Jamie Errickson was unable to be reached for comment.

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According to the job description, the director supervises a staff of eight full-time employees, one-and-a-half grant-funded positions and a part-time food consultant. The position also administers the Natick 180 Substance Prevention and Outreach Program.

Natick’s next public health director will have no shortage of issues to tackle, Breda said.

“As everyone's aware, the pandemic put a great big responsibility on everybody, but there are other health issues,” he said, listing marijuana retailers, drug addiction, sanitation, food establishments and underage smoking as some of the areas of interest.

“There are many, many, many issues,” Breda said.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Public health: Natick seeks new director to lead the town department