SALEM – The board of health extended a job offer for the health department’s vacant Environmental Health Director position in its meeting Wednesday.

The department has been without an Environmental Health Director since the resignation of Alan Masters from the position on Aug. 4 and Health Commissioner Kayla Crowl has been fulfilling the position’s duties in addition to her own in the interim. Following an approximately 14-minute executive session for personnel matters the board voted unanimously to offer the position to Charles Weatherly, whom Crowl said had an “extensive background” in environmental health and was very qualified for the position.

Weatherly told the board that he had been afforded the opportunity to travel around the world and lived in multiple states during his 25 years of service in the United State Marine Corps and that during his service he had served in a similar role.

“Within my career I had the opportunity to gain experience with environmental health and safety. I was in environmental health and safety for an air squadron while I was in California and have been to multiple safety schools to gain credentials,” said Weatherly. “As soon as I retired, I became an environmental health and safety manager for a manufacturing company, which has unfortunately shut down, and I saw the opportunity to apply for this position.”

Crowl said that with his existing certifications Weatherly could apply to be a Registered Environmental Health Specialist in Training,

meaning that he could obtain an in-training license from the state to work under Crowl as he completes the training hours required for a full licensure. She also reiterated that she felt he was well suited for the position and the level of rigor it demands.

“As far as enforcement and things of that nature [Weatherly] appears to be a quick study and likes when things are followed to the ‘T’ and the law is being upheld, which is important when it comes to our enforcement because we not only answer to the board and our residents but to the state on how we perform here in the city, and having those high standards is something Charles is familiar with”

Health Board President Pro-Tempore Judy Sicilia thanked Weatherly for coming to speak with the board.

The board of health will meet next at 2 p.m. Oct. 15.