Fifth Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Wenson-Maier will resign her seat, effective Sept. 15.

She is expected to be appointed executive director of the Housing Authority,  succeeding Ken Pushko, who is retiring after 20 years as executive director.

The Rahway Democratic Committee on Friday posted a notice of vacancy for the 5th Ward City Council seat. The committee is expected to present Wenson-Maier with a certificate of appreciation for 15 years of service during tonight’s City Council meeting an upcoming Democratic Committee meeting.

The Democratic Committee will choose three nominees later this month to present City Council to fill the vacant 5th Ward seat. The governing body then would have 30 days after the vacancy (Oct. 15) to appoint one of the three nominees to serve the final 15 months of Wenson-Maier’s unexpired term, which runs through next year and is up for election in November 2020. The 5th Ward includes parts of downtown.

The Democratic Committee’s Executive Committee announced an open screening of interested candidates to fill the 5th Ward vacancy. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 15 at 5 p.m., with a screening of candidates scheduled for Sept. 18. A special meeting of the Democratic Committee will choose three nominees during a special meeting scheduled for Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 571 Maple Ave.

Wenson-Maier, a resident of Bryant Street, first was elected in 2004 and re-elected every four years through 2016. She has served as borough administrator in Metuchen and Union Beach as well as director of public works in Plainfield, and director of environmental services in Hoboken. The Housing Authority oversees affordable housing in Rahway, reporting $4.6 million in operating revenues in 2016, the most recent financials available on its website, and $7.6 million in total assets.

The last vacancy to occur on City Council was in January 2018 when 6th Ward Councilwoman Raymond Giacobbe, Jr., was appointed interim mayor, creating a vacancy that was filled by Joseph Gibilisco.

Democrats hold all nine seats on City Council: six ward seats and three at-large seats that are up for election every other year. The six ward seats last were elected in 2018 2016 while the three at-large seats were elected in 2016 2018, along with the mayor’s seat.