[KHTS] – The Castaic Lake Water Agency is looking to make an appointment to fill a board vacancy.

Director Peter Kavounas resigned, creating a vacancy in the water wholesaler’s second district, said Dan Masnada, general manager of the CLWA.

“It’s an opening as a result of the career opportunity he took,” Masnada said.

For more than a year, Kavounas has been commuting to a job as Chino Basin water master, an office about 70 miles from Santa Clarita, Masnada said.

While Kavounas continues to live out here, the additional time commitments for CLWA business became a factor, he said.

The water agency oversees the wholesale distribution of State Water Project water to Santa Clarita Valley water agencies, as well as the retail operations for more than 75 percent of residents through operation of the Valencia Water Co. and Santa Clarita Water District.

The CLWA’s governing board, which is comprised of nine elected seats and two appointed seats, is expected to address the vacancy with a public interview process in January, at the board’s meetings next month.

“I anticipate that process  to happen in January,” Masnada said. “At most, it would be over two meetings,” he added, which could depend on the number of candidates.

The process likely will be similar to the appointment process used in selecting board member Gary Martin, who was chosen for an at-large spot on the board.

The difference in the upcoming appointment is that the candidate choice will have to live within the boundaries of the 2nd District.

“The Board of Directors intends to interview finalists and to select an individual to fill the vacancy at its regular Jan. 8 board meeting, according to a CLWA statement.

“The individual selected will be sworn in and take their seat at the Jan. 22 regular board meeting,” the statement read.

If interested, applicants should submit an application by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2013, to the Castaic Lake Water Agency office at 27234 Bouquet Canyon Road.

The application, as well as additional information about the agency, including its strategic plan, budget, Urban Water Management Plan and other resources, may be found on the agency’s website at www.clwa.org.

The CLWA board meets every second and fourth Wednesday of every month.