Pataskala has hired Stacy Root of Granville as the city's new zoning clerk.

She will start Sept. 10.

"She has an extensive background as an executive administrative assistant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Alliance Data Systems, JPMorgan Chase and more," said Pataskala Planning Director Dianne Harris.

Root is completing a degree in business management and human resources from the Central Ohio Technical College and recently worked as an intern for the Reynoldsburg Service and Engineering Department, where she assisted the city's zoning and planning board clerks, Harris said.

She has experience using global information systems software, preparing budget analysis and personnel duties, planning events and preparing meeting presentations. Harris said in her previous employment, she created a "computer-based system for tracking workload according to projects."

Harris said Root was one of four finalists chosen from the 40 applicants. The other finalists are: Kathleen Kosal of Pataskala, who worked as an administrative assistant for Plastic Suppliers of Columbus through November 2011; Dayna Anderson of Columbus, a medical assistant with Ohio Heart Group of Columbus; and Lisa Paxton of Pataskala, a corporate secretary with McGinnis and Associates Court Reporting and Video.

Root will replace Susan Thompson, who retired two weeks ago. Thompson was Pataskala's zoning clerk for 17 years and as the Lima Township zoning clerk for 10 years.

Harris said the zoning clerk is a union classified position with a starting salary of $13.56 an hour.

The clerk sets agendas for the zoning commission and board of zoning appeals meetings and takes minutes. The clerk also answers the phone in the zoning department, schedules inspections and handles questions and zoning applicants.