A full-time Housing & Redevelopment Authority executive director for Austin is coming closer to reality.

The HRA board laid out its hiring process for a full-time administrator Thursday, and a new executive director should begin work on Jan. 1, 2013.

“We tightened up the timeline,” said Marv Repinski, HRA board chairman.

The board has already sent out postings for the job, and Repinski said several applicants from Minnesota and other states have already come forward. Board members will accept applications until Aug. 24, then send out questions on Aug. 27, which applicants must return by Aug. 31. The board will review applications the week of Sept. 3, then choose up to six finalists at its Sept. 20 meeting, who will be interviewed on Sept. 28 and 29.

Though interviewees will pay their own transportation costs, the board will provide lodging and meals. Executive Director Jim Hurm, HRA Finance Director Sherri Detloff, and John Garry, the executive director of the Development Corporation of Austin, will sit in on interviews as well, though the hiring decision will ultimately be up to the board.

Once the interview process is over, HRA officials will have until early December to pick a new executive director, according to Repinski.