By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County lawmakers are hoping to find a replacement for outgoing administrator Karen St. Hilaire before her March retirement.

St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators Chairman Joseph Lightfoot says applications will be accepted until Friday Feb. 13. The county will then meet and narrow the field on Feb. 17.

St. Hilaire has served as administrator since 2007 and currently earns a salary of $121,901. Her replacement will receive a wage based on experience.

“We are collecting applications as they come, then we will get together and review them,” he said.

Lightfoot said he is unsure how many applications the county has received but expects both internal and external candidates for the job.

The selected candidate will, supervise and coordinate the functions of 26 departments and agencies, at the direction of county legislators.

The administrator is responsible for planning, budgeting, monitoring, policy enactment and goal setting in regard to all phases of county operations.

The candidate doesn’t need to reside within the county when applying for the position, but will be expected to move into St. Lawrence County within 60 days of being appointed.

Lightfoot said he is hopeful the county can find a replacement by March 31.

The county is also searching for a new St. Lawrence County Public Defender and director of Human Resources after Stephen Button was named as the county attorney, and Christopher Boulio resigned.

Lightfoot said the county will begin that search “very soon.”