Damariscotta Police Chief Ron Young announced the hiring of Joanna Kenefick, of Washington, as the Damariscotta Police Department’s new administrative assistant, during a Damariscotta Board of Selectmen meeting Dec. 17.
“Fifteen people applied, and her application stuck out the most,” Young said. “Her experience with state dispatch and knowledge of our software brought her right to the top.”
The full-time position had been open for around six weeks after the police department’s most recent administrative assitant, Jodi Prior, resigned.
Kenefick was interviewed for the position Dec. 12 and started with the department Dec. 15.
“I did 911 dispatch for six years at the Department of Public Safety in Augusta before applying for this position,” Kenefick said.
Originally from Waldoboro, Kenefick graduated from Medomak Valley High School and worked locally in customer service for 12 years. She was an office manager for a Knox County publication for four years.
Kenefick said she applied for the administrative assistant position because it sounded like a perfect fit for her.
“The administrative assistant position combined my customer service background with my love for public safety,” Kenefick said.
The people she has been introduced to and the officers she has worked with so far have been welcoming, according to Kenefick.
“Everybody I’ve met so far have been amazing,” she said.
Police dispatch runs in the family, according to Kenefick.
“My daughter graduated from Husson University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice,” she said. “She now works for police dispatch for Bangor Police Department.”
Kenefick also has a 26-year-old son and two grandchildren, ages 3 and 1.
