Just days after Guy Costa quit being Pittsburgh's public works director, the process of replacing him got political.

Councilman Jim Motznik yesterday publicly accused Operations Director Art Victor of trying to manipulate the selection process to boost one candidate -- apparently Deputy Director Mike Gable -- over current Acting Director Robert Kaczorowski. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he was "a little bit disturbed" at the process. Councilman William Peduto urged against a "witch hunt" against Mr. Victor.

At issue was a subtle change in the job requirements for the $99,381-a-year job that Mr. Costa held for 10 years. He announced in July that his last day would be Oct. 2.

On Aug. 11, the city posted an invitation to apply for the job, listing among the requirements a bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, civil engineering or a related field. But on Sept. 30, a replacement posting added that nine years of work experience could substituted for education.

Mr. Victor oversees both the public works and personnel departments.

"No one should be able to call personnel and civil service and say, 'Change that requirement,'" said Mr. Motznik. Council voted for his motion to seek a law department review of the issue.

Mr. Victor would not comment.

"I see no reason why the requirements had to be adjusted downward," Mr. Ravenstahl said. He ordered Mr. Victor to reinstate the education requirement.

On Friday, Mr. Ravenstahl appointed Mr. Kaczorowski, a 27-year veteran of the department, to the acting directorship. The mayor said yesterday that if he handles the job well, he'll be nominated to keep post.

Mr. Kaczorowski, 51, meets the education requirement, graduating summa cum laude from Point Park College with a bachelor's degree in public administration, and with an associate degree in business management from Robert Morris College, according to the administration.

The only other internal candidate was Mr. Gable, 54, who has been with the department for 35 years. He said he has an associate degree in mathematics and is around a semester shy of a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He is not now enrolled.

The administration said it has 16 applicants for the job, and plans to interview some of the ones from outside of the city during the balance of the year.

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