A highly qualified Mattapoisett harbormaster finalist has withdrawn her application for the position, leaving two candidates for Selectmen to consider.

Candidate Jill Simmons, the commanding officer for New Bedford’s Port Security Team, told Selectmen, Town Administrator Mike Gagne, and Alan Gillis of the Marine Advisory Board she dropped out of the running to pursue an opportunity in New Bedford.

The city is also seeking a harbormaster. Simmons said she wasn’t aware of the opening when she submitted her Mattapoisett application in May.

Interviews for the town’s top port enforcement position were held June 26. For two years, interim Harbormaster Horace Field has managed the waterfront. When a harbormaster is hired Field will stay to train the new recruit. Marine Advisory Board members received 11 applications and whittled the field down to three.

Recently, state legislators passed a "home rule" provision related to Mattapoisett's harbormaster. Approved on June 11, Gagne said the law lets Selectmen negotiate terms and conditions of employment similar to other positions in town. Before the change, state statute made it difficult for board members to remove a harbormaster for anything other than malfeasance or committing a crime.

Although the position requires full days from May through mid-September the harbormaster will be a part-time employee.

The first finalist interviewed was Katelyn Anthony Schwebach. A Mattapoisett resident, Schwebach has four years of shipboard management experience. Schwebach’s interview was conducted via conference call. Board members directed Gagne to schedule a second interview with Schwebach on Tuesday in order to meet her.

Selectmen interviewed Robert Caton, also of Mattapoisett, second. Caton served with the United States Coast Guard for nine years. In Marion, he was the assistant harbormaster and shellfish officer for two years. For five years, he operated a commercial fishing vessel and  was the owner/operator of The New England Sportsman, Inc., a retail store, for six years. Currently, Caton is self-employed as a real estate investor.

Of the three candidates, Board of Selectmen Chair Tyler Macallister said he was “very impressed” with Simmons’ lengthy career.

A Fairhaven resident, Simmons joined the city’s police force in 1971. In 1975, she became a sergeant and performed many assignments for the department including narcotics and crash investigations, community policing, firearms training, and underwater recovery and patrol.

In 2006, Simmons took charge of the Port Security Team, which monitors the waterfront and airport. In that role she is the city’s assistant harbormaster.

Selectman Jordan Collyer said Simmons was his top choice, noting her police background made her a strong candidate.

“We need someone who is willing to enforce the laws,” Collyer said.

Though Simmons is no longer a finalist Selectmen hoped to hire her on a limited basis to support waterfront staff.

“We wouldn’t want to lose someone with your expertise,” Collyer told Simmons.