GATESVILLE – For the second time in a little over two years, Gates County will search for a new Director of its Department of Social Services.

On Friday (June 27) current DSS Director Geoffrey Marett Director informed Gates County Department of Social Services Board Chairman Henry Jordan of his resignation. That Board accepted Marett’s resignation during their meeting held June 30.

Marett, in a press release sent Monday to this newspaper, announced that his last day at the agency will be July 25.

“It has been a very tough deliberation to come to this decision,” Marett said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the wonderful people in this agency, the associated county departments, appointed members of the Department of Social Services Board, Board of County

Commissioners, and most importantly the citizens of Gates County. I will truly miss my working relationships with all of whom I have had the privilege of working alongside.

“This has been a truly wonderful job that I will regret leaving,” he continued. “I thank you for the trust and confidence that you have shown in me to fill, in what I believe, one of the most important positions in any county government.

“Gates County government has been a truly wonderful organization to be a part of during my time here. I am confident that with the leadership in place within all the county departments and various boards that Gates County will continue to flourish and strive to provide the best for the its’ citizens,” Marett concluded.

Marett came to GatesCounty as DSS Director on April 19, 2012. Prior to that the Smithfield, NC native was employed as a Child Protective Services supervisor with the Lenoir County Department of Social Services. He received Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees from EastCarolinaUniversity.

In Gates County he replaced DSS Director Colleen Turner, an 11-year veteran who left the area on May 4, 2012 and returned to the home of her youth in southwest Florida to be near family and to head a non-profit organization that works to improve health and well-being outcomes for at-risk youth.

Gates County officials will immediately advertise for Marett’s replacement. Interested applicants may submit a North Carolina state application PD-107, along with a sealed official college transcript(s), cover letter and resume via mail to Henry Jordan, Gates County Department of Social Services Board Chairman, P.O. Box 185, Gatesville, NC 27938.

Applications will be accepted through an initial cutoff date of Aug. 31, 2014 at 5 p.m.

For questions regarding this matter, contact Marett at 252-357-0075 or Jordan at 252-465-8161.