The city of Bismarck human resources department is in the early stages of the process to select a new manager for the Civic Center.

Charles Klein, the city's human resources director, said he has just received the applications for the position that were collected by Job Service North Dakota.

"There are 16 to 17 applications, but I haven't even had a chance to look at them yet," Klein said. "We'll probably try and narrow down the list to seven or eight."

Then Klein will do an assessment of the remaining candidates with the help of a committee, which will have people from the community participating.

"We'll look at the applicants' qualifications and recommend four or five to the city commission," Klein said.

Hopes are to have someone in the position by the first of the year, Klein said.

"The timeline will depend on who the applications are from. If they are all local, it should be done rather quickly," Klein said. "But I'm thinking there are some from out of state, and that will take some coordination and time."

The Civic Center's operation manager Ron Staiger has been in charge of the facility since the announced retirement of Dick Peterson. Staiger is among the applicants for the position.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)