Crestwood now is accepting applications for its next city administrator — and previous government experience isn’t required.

The description and requirements for the position, which was posted on the city’s website last Friday, have been tweaked to incorporate more language from the Crestwood Charter and to interest potential applicants with business backgrounds, Mayor Jeff Schlink said.

“I’m just trying to open it up so that more people will look at it, more business people, and just so that we have more eyes that might be interested in a position like that,” Schlink told the Call. “It’s different than what you would traditionally see. It’s different than what was out there before.”

The city is searching for a city administrator to replace Jim Eckrich, whose request to return to his former position of public services director was granted by the Board of Aldermen last month.

Aldermen voted 5-3 April 12 to name Eckrich public services director, a position he previously held from November 2005 until July 2008 when he was promoted to city administrator.

Eckrich will continue to serve as acting city administrator until a successor is hired.

Candidates for the city administrator’s position must possess, among other requirements:

• At least a bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience.

• Experience in negotiating, preferably in the field of commercial development and vendor contracts.

• Knowledge and understanding of tax abatement options and issues.

• The ability to communicate in a professional manner with the media.

The Charter states that the city administrator’s salary is established by the mayor with the approval of a majority of the Board of Aldermen.

The new city administrator’s salary will be commensurate with experience, according to the job posting. Eckrich’s salary is $93,000.

Schlink said job candidates likely will go through two rounds of interviews, one with him and the other with city department heads. The mayor ultimately will recommend a candidate to the Board of Aldermen, according to the Charter.