After legislation allowing the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council to set a higher wage for its open executive director position failed, the position remains unfilled, and former Stanly County state legislator Justin Burr’s application is listed as pending.

Burr applied for the position with the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council, part of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, twice last year.

As of last week, Burr’s status was “still pending,” according to Elaine Darby, information and communication specialist for the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources.

Burr did not respond to an email request for comment about his job status or interest in the position.

The potential job for the five-term legislator who lost in the 2018 primary to Republican and eventual winner Wayne Sasser sent up red flags of political favoritism across the state.

Burr does not meet the listed qualifications for the position as he does not have a college degree.

There was also an effort to increase the listed salary range above the posted $88,221 figure by the OHAC board of directors.

The Office of State Human Resources did not say at what stage Burr’s application is in the hiring process simply saying that it is “still pending.”

According to its website, the mission of the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council is, “to provide statewide leadership, guidance, and funding to measurably expand opportunities for current and future generations to experience quality outdoor activities.”

Imari Scarbrough is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News and Press.