EPHRATA - Grant County resumed the search for a new Director of Public Defense after the commissioners' first choice declined the position.

The commissioners are searching for someone to head the department starting next year.

The commissioners interviewed five candidates for the position in early October. The candidates included two Grant County public defenders, a Yakima County public defender and two attorneys from Seattle, Commissioner Carolann Swartz said at the time of the interviews.

"The gentleman we were considering decided not to pursue the job," Swartz said.

The commissioners selected another of the five candidates they interviewed and are waiting for the person to be interviewed by settlement monitor Tito Rodriguez, Commissioner Cindy Carter said.

Swartz hoped someone would be in the position by Nov. 1, but the candidate they selected dropped out after being interviewed by Rodriguez, she and Commissioner Richard Stevens said.

Rodriguez didn't want to speak about the specific details about what he is looking for in the candidate, but generally he wants someone who is experienced and knowledgeable, he said.

The position was created as part of an agreement to end monitoring of Grant County public defense.

As part of the agreement, juvenile, district and superior court public defense will be put into the same department. The department presently only handles superior court cases. District and juvenile court cases are handled by contractors.