After nearly a year of searching, Claremont has found its new community services director.

Roger Bradley will be taking over the job, according to a release from the city. Mr. Bradley comes to Claremont from Dublin in northern California, where he served as the assistant to the city manager for four years.

“I’m definitely excited to be [in Claremont],” Mr. Bradley said.

Prior to becoming Dublin’s assistant to the city manager, Mr. Bradley worked as the head of the city’s environmental services for four years, overseeing recycling, waste management and tree infrastructure.

“I’m confident that Roger will work well with our commissioners, staff and residents. I anticipate great results from this department in the future. I look forward to welcoming him to Claremont,” Claremont City Manager Tony Ramos said in the statement.

Prior to working in Dublin, Mr. Bradley served four years as a corporal in the Marine Corps and lived for a time in 29 Palms and Camp Pendleton. Mr. Bradley has a dual bachelor’s degree in political science and statistics from Brigham Young University and a master’s in public administration from USC.

Mr. Bradley’s total pay and benefits while working at the city of Dublin was $183,289.65 as of 2014, according to Transparent California.

Claremont Finance Director Adam Pirrie did not have an exact number for Mr. Bradley’s pay with Claremont, saying the city hasn’t received Mr. Bradley’s paperwork yet. The Community Services Director gets a monthly salary of $10,873 to $13,136 per month, according to Mr. Pirrie. Annually, that amounts to $130,476 to  $157,632.

Mr. Ramos noted that Mr. Bradley is well-suited to tackle the many responsibilities of the job, which include overseeing administration, motor fleet, sanitation, maintenance/landscape and Oak Park Cemetery.

“After lengthy discussion and numerous interviews and after an incredibly long search, Roger is the right person at the right time,” Mr. Ramos said. “He’ll provide a great service to the community and be a great asset to the city.”

According to the release, Mr. Bradley negotiated solid waste contracts while at Dublin, which netted about $800,000 in revenue for the city. He also managed Dublin’s Green Initiative task force of city councilmembers and members of the community to create a “green plan” for the city.

Mr. Bradley went though a long vetting process with city staff and members of the community before getting the job, according to the release.

Mr. Bradley’s appointment comes nearly a year after former director Kathleen Trepa announced her departure to take a job as the deputy city manager of Goleta, near Santa Barbara. Since Ms. Trepa’s May 2015 departure, former Community Services Director Pat Malloy served as interim director. In March 2016,  the city then named Dave Roger, a consulting urban forester to the city from Inland Urban Forest Group, to the position of interim community services director.

The position was originally eliminated in 2010 during a painful bout of financial strife within the city, and was merged with the human services department with Michele McNeill in charge. After Ms. McNeill stepped down six months later, the two departments were split once again and the city hired Anne Turner to head the human services department.

Mr. Bradley said he’s excited about the new opportunity, and wants to implement an open-door policy to reach out to Claremonters.

“The big thing is developing trust not only with staff but with the community as well,” Mr. Bradley said. “It’s important to me to be visible and approachable and that the community knows they have someone to come to.”

Mr. Bradley will begin his job on April 24 and will be formally introduced at the April 25 city council meeting.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com