Government

WAPA Slammed in Senate For Hiring Non-Resident For Safety Director Job

Senators could do little to hold back their disappointment after hearing from the V.I. Water and Power Authority that it had hired a director of safety from outside of the territory, instead of promoting a staff member from within the organization. Josh Jones was hired to replace the former director who resigned from the company earlier this year, after being employed at WAPA since 2013. Mr. Jones is being paid about $30,000 more to serve in the same position. According to WAPA’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Andrew Smith, Mr. Jones's primary experience is in the field of transmission and distribution in addition to having 12 years of experience working in the field of safety. He said however that Mr. Jones is expected to “rely on others” in areas of “subject matters expertise” including water operation and storage distribution.  The senators heard that in addition to making a salary of $140,000 a year, Mr. Jones is entitled to a $1,000 housing allowance for one yea...