Sparks Falls Short of Job Terms; Position Requires Bachelor's Degree (NM: Richardson)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | February 10, 2006 | Jackie Jadrnak

[CedarDave]

Former gubernatorial spokesman Billy Sparks doesn't meet the written minimum requirements for his new six-figure job at the University of New Mexico.

A bachelor's degree is required for the position of executive director of communications and marketing at the Health Sciences Center, according to a written job description provided by UNM.

Sparks, who served as Gov. Bill Richardson's deputy chief of staff, has acknowledged that he is "a couple of courses short" of a bachelor's degree. No salary is listed in the description for the newly created position. But Dr. Paul Roth, executive vice president for health sciences, said Sparks would be paid "about $120,000."

The new job was never advertised. UNM officials said it was handled under a sole-source provision because of Sparks' unique qualifications.

<< snip >>

UNM hiring rules say the provision can be used if a person possesses such unique qualifications that the job couldn't be filled by anyone else.

<< snip>>

Earlier this week, when asked what particularly qualified Sparks for his position, Roth said, "He's got a really strong background in media relations ... Folks really felt he had the kinds of credentials that uniquely positioned him."

[CedarDave]

Follow-up to FR article published here:

UNM To Pay Richardson Ex-Spokesman Sparks $120,000 A Year ^

Typical Democratic move --- rules are meant for the little people and not them. Reminiscent of Hillary's "let them eat cake" statements -- paraphasing, we do what we do because its for your own good. (or the good of one of our friends).

[MarcusTulliusCicero]

Um, it's not restricted to Democrats, sorry to say. You might want to compare Julie Myers' (Gen. Myers' niece, by the way) resume to the stated qualifications for her new job as head of ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement). When even the Senate Republicans pointed out her failure to meet the minimum statutory requirements resulted in the stalling of her nomination, the President recess-appointed her. Of course, I understand that she won't need a lot of qualifications for not enforcing immigration policy, especially if the amnesty program passes, but still....a crony is a crony, whether Democrat or Republican.

[Sybeck1]

I'm in night school right now finishing my BA. I hope this does keep me out.

[CedarDave]

Ugh! Yeah that's why they instituted a civil service system years ago -- to stop most (but not all) of these types of abuses. Unfortunately, once a person has a job under the government civil service, its next to impossible to fire him for anything less than stealing funds or assaulting a fellow worker.

[VOA]

bump