SIDNEY, Neb. – The City of Sidney named Josh Hanson as its new assistant city manager, City Manager David Scott confirmed Monday.

Hanson brings a background in both public and private sector work, including experience with the Nebraska Department of Labor and Adams Industries.

“Josh comes with a wealth of experience,” Scott said. “He essentially created the Department of Labor presence when it was located on the WNCC campus, and most recently at Adams Industries.”

Scott said Hanson stood out during the interview process as a candidate with a deep understanding of organizational development and program creation.

“He’s created state-level programs from the ground up,” Scott said. “He brings knowledge of procedures and processes that can help us evaluate how we do things. Having someone with fresh eyes look at our operations is going to be a great benefit.”

Hanson said he was in a career change and started looking for opportunities. 

"One of the first things I saw or I guess went to when I was looking at a different career is going back to government. I spent the last eight years working for the Nebraska Department of Labor in several different capacities; started out as a veteran Career Coach. [The] title was a Disabled Veteran Outreach Specialist," he said.

Hanson said his duties included providing career assistance and training for veterans who had significant barriers to employment.

"I did that for about two years in that role, and then I was promoted to Regional Workforce Development Manager out of North Platte," he said.

As Regional Workforce Development Manager, he oversaw the 19 counties in the Mid Plains region.

His wife's career brought them back to Sidney, a return home for he and his wife.

He finished school in the Windsor/Greeley, Colo., area before serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. 

He moved to Omaha, working as an Immigration Service Officer for the Department of Homeland Security while his wife was finishing medical school. 

Hanson's first day was Monday.