Carbon County Commissioners on Thursday hired Thomas L. Jones of Summit Hill as a full-time assistant public defender. Jones will start his new job on Jan. 5 and will earn $51,500.

In other personnel matters, commissioners appointed Teah M. Reichard of Palmerton as a domestic relations officer, effective Jan. 2.Commissioners also changed the employment status of Deena L. Fital of Lehighton from clerical aide in the Archives Department to aging case aide for the Area Agency on Aging as of Dec. 15.Commissioners also granted requests for Kathy McGuire and Jolaine Herman of the Tax Assessment Office to attend a conference in Telford, Montgomery County, titled "What Makes a Good House Bad." The cost is a $35 conference fee.They also granted a request from David J. Bodnar Jr. and Jennifer Hunsicker of the Office of Planning and Development to attend a HUD grant program seminar in Jim Thorpe.