The City of Merritt’s new manager of recreation and facilities doesn’t start work for a couple weeks — but the new hire is already a familiar face around city hall.

Sky McKeown, who served as the fire prevention officer for the Merritt Fire Rescue Department, was selected for the job after a national search for a new recreation and facilities manager.

“Sky proved to be the best candidate,” said Shawn Boven, chief administrative officer for the City of Merritt in a statement. “I am excited for the skill set that Sky is bringing to us from the fire department.”

Previous hires for this position have had short tenures with the City of Merritt. The position had been left vacant since November of 2017 after Lee Nelles left the job he started in August. Prior to Nelles, Brad Gilbert was in the position for less than a year before parting ways with the city.

McKeown is set to start his new job with the city on March 26.