More than a year after the search began for an assistant dean of public service, Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 yesterday appointed Judith H. Kidd, currently a vice president of Boston's City Year program, to fill the new post.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity," said Kidd, who will assume her position as dean and director of Phillips Brooks House (PBH) on January 1. "It has been a very long and arduous search process which has been difficult for everyone."

Lewis' decision, however, has already come under attack from public service leaders and faculty members, who charge that Kidd is the wrong choice for the job.

"The individual selected by Dean Lewis in no way reflects our opinions or recommendations to him," PBHA President Vincent Pan '95-'96 and Central HAND Coordinator Elizabeth Finger '96 said in a statement released yesterday. "It is evident that our input did not receive the consideration it deserved."

Lewis chose Kidd from a list of four finalists presented to him by a search committee, which included two student representatives--one from Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA), the governing body of PBH, and the other from Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND).

Despite this effort at inclusion, PBHA members and public service leaders said yesterday that Kidd was widely regarded as being one of the least-qualified candidates presented to Lewis because she lacks experience working with students.

"It is quite remarkable that the University chose not to listen to the pretty much unanimous opinion of the students and staff as to their views of the candidates," said Anne Peretz, chair of PBHA's Association Committee, the board of alumni and community leaders which oversees PBH.

PBHA directors, HAND coordinators and the Director of Office of Public Services Gail Epstein, who will be replaced by Kidd, wrote a letter to the search committee head on October 6, recommending Greg A. Johnson '72, the current executive director of PBH, for the job.

Johnson was among four names recommended to Lewis by the search committee.

The writers of the October letter said Kidd lacks experience in "direct service outside of fundraising." The letter also charged that "[Kidd's] management style seemed inflexible and unsuited to collaborative work with students."

But last night, Lewis dismissed criticisms of his choice for the deanship.

"I chose [Kidd] because of her experience, her outstanding commitment to public service activities," Lewis said. "She is a very good communicator, [and] she'll be very good in working with students in support of their objectives."

One of those who interviewed Kidd and wished to remain anonymous, said yesterday that Harvard chose her for the post because she represents the College's interests and will put an end to PBHA's decision-making autonomy from the College, which grew under Johnson's leadership.

"[Kidd] seemed very clear that has allegiance was to the dean, in no uncertain terms," the interviewer said. "If the concern is about getting PBHA under control, she is certainly the hatchet person."

The controversial Report on the Structure of Harvard College, which was co-authored by Lewis in 1993, recommended among other things creating Kidd's position, consolidating the College's two public service programs under a single dean and establishing an oversight committee on public service.

Lewis said he has confidence in Kidd's abilities to preserve the integrity and independence of the College's public service programs.