To get more applicants for its executive director position, Chattanooga’s Office of Multicultural Affairs probably needs to do more advertising outside the city, officials said.

“We have not gotten in as many applicants to meet qualifications as we would like,” said Dr. Barbara Medley, the OMA’s interim executive director.

After advertising the position for nearly three months, OMA officials said they had 35 applicants, but only six of them met minimal qualifications.

“We’re hoping we can find someone local who understands the inner workings of the city and who is able to take us to the next level,” said John Taylor, OMA board chairman.

The job is expected to pay from $75,000 to $85,000 a year, according to the job announcement. OMA officials say they want to have it filled by July 15.

Mr. Taylor said he would like for the next OMA executive director to help get a citywide diversity study done and to implement some of the goals discussed during the African-American summit held in June 2005. The goals included lowering crime and improving housing, employment opportunities and education.

The first OMA executive director, Jacqueline Strong Moss, was named in March 2006. She resigned in February.

OMA officials say they have posted the executive director job only on the city’s Web site and on chattanoogahasjobs.com. Within the next week, they’ll decide if they’ll post it regionally, Dr. Medley said.

“We’re also looking at regional advertisements — Nashville, Knoxville and possibly Memphis,” Dr. Medley said.

OMA officials ask that applicants have at least a bachelor’s degree in human resources, human relations, public administration, business management, law or a closely related field. Officials also want applicants to have five or more years’ experience in management positions dealing with urban social problems, race relations, working with community interests, diversity and community development.

“We want to be sure that we’re seeing the quality of person that we’d like to see,” Dr. Medley said.

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