The Isla Vista Recreation and Park District is getting a new general manager tonight, as the district’s board of directors announces its pick for the position at a 6 p.m. meeting at the IVRPD office.

The IVRPD Board of Directors chose a new general manager on May 4 after a closed-session meeting in which board members discussed the four candidates for the job. The applicants are vying to replace former IVRPD General Manager Derek Johnson, who left the district on March 25 to work in the Santa Barbara County Chief Executive Office. Candidates for the job include Jeff Yolles, the IVRPD’s interim general manager, as well as Travis Stombaugh, Dale Sumersille and Jeff Smith. IVRPD Director Bryan Brown said the district would not release further information about the candidates, for fear of endangering their current employment.

IVRPD Director Kelly Burns said the board interviewed the four candidates at an April 28 board meeting, during which members of the public and the IVRPD directors questioned the candidates on a variety of subjects.

“We asked all manner of questions, from topics like managerial experience to whether or not the candidates liked the outdoors,” Burns said.

According to the IVRPD website, the general manager’s duties include helping the board of directors determine and implement policies and overseeing the development of parks, facilities and recreational activities of for I.V. residents.

The IVRPD hired a consultant to help find the candidates, who come from many different backgrounds, Burns said. She said members of the public gave their input on the candidates during the April 28 meeting.

“We originally hired a consultant to provide the candidates for us, so we had very qualified people to interview,” Burns said. “The public had an hour to ask the candidates questions and I think it gave them a good opportunity to meet and be a part of the IVRPD.”

Burns said the new general manager will be sworn in as soon as the board announces its decision. She said it has been difficult for the district to function normally since Johnson left.

“We need to have this happen as soon as possible so we can get back to regular business.” Burns said.