SANFORD — The city of Sanford has hired a new Parks and Recreation director.

Alan Grady, who worked as Assistant Recreation Director in Gorham for more than eight years before taking a job as recreation director in Westborough, Massachusetts in 2014, will join the city staff Feb. 26.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Grady graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in sociology and from the University of New Hampshire with a master’s degree in sports studies.

On Tuesday, Sanford City Manager Steve Buck told the Sanford City Council that Grady will arrive in time to have input into the upcoming budget cycle.

Grady has been responsible for planning and managing a citywide recreation program for the 18,000-population city of Westborough, which is located between Boston and Worcester.

The Sanford position became available upon the retirement Jan, 26 of longtime parks and recreation Marcel Blouin, who had led the recreation department for 33 years.

In an email on Wednesday, Buck wrote that Grady’s responsibilities will include a renewed emphasis on coordination and facilitation of programming across the multitude of providers within Sanford, like Nasson Community Center, the Sanford Springvale YMCA, Sanford School Department and various sports associations.

Buck said the salary for the position was set at $78,770, following a market survey.

“There was other communities seeking to hire a qualified candidate as the same time as Sanford placing emphasis on a competitive offer,” said Buck. “Maintaining competitive wages has become ever more prevalent over the last two years as it pertains to the hiring of any positions within the city.  There is a shortage of qualified applicants in many areas, forcing the issue of competitive wages combined with a competitive benefits package as well.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.