Vacancies spring up in Keller administration

As Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller begins his third term, several high-level leadership positions within his administration are vacant.

According to job postings, seven high-level positions ranging from police chief to executive director for the Gateway System, a network of shelters and support programs for the homeless, need to be filled.

All in all, the city is currently without long-term communications, aviation, environmental health, emergency management and office of equity and inclusion directors, though interim staff have filled some positions.

Several deputy director positions were also posted.

In a recent news release announcing the job postings, Keller described the turnover as a "transition" into a third term and an opportunity for growth.

“As we move through a period of transition, we’re focused on lifting up the next wave of leaders who are ready to carry this work forward so our neighborhoods feel secure, and Albuquerque continues to move ahead,” Keller said in a statement. “The future of City leadership is already taking shape.”

Among the seven positions, one is new.

The Gateway System of Care is seeking an executive director for the first time — a leadership role that presides over all city shelters. Previously, leadership was left to the various service providers contracted with the city.

It's unclear when City Hall will begin to fill up again.

As of Thursday, the city is in the midst of a national search for a new police chief, and six people have applied. However, when asked about the hiring status of other high-level positions, city spokesperson Dan Mayfield said that the city “doesn’t comment on personnel issues.”

Gillian Barkhurst is the local government reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com or on Twitter @G_Barkhurst