Covington city clerk Jackie Cronk will leave her post on Jan. 9 after more than seven years working at City Hall.

Cronk grew up in eastern Washington and plans to move back to that part of the state to be closer to her family.

“I am looking forward to this change in my life and am happy with my new opportunities,” she said. “It’s been a privilege to work with an excellent city manager and council and some of the most dedicated co-workers that I’ve ever known.”

She previously worked as a legal assistant for the cities of Bremerton and Puyallup.

Cronk has been Covington’s city clerk since 2001. A year later, she took on the additional task of serving as the city’s public information officer.

Sharon Scott will take over for Cronk. Scott will serve as community relations coordinator and will manage the city’s growing public and media relations efforts. She has worked for Covington since 1999 and most recently has been the executive assistant to city manager Derek Matheson.