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08/20/2019 03:00 PMThe job opening for the town manager has been posted on the town website, officially kicking off the next round in the search for Clinton’s new leader.
The job was posted on the town’s website on Aug. 12, alongside a brochure adverting the position to potential candidates. The deadline for applications is listed as Monday, Sept. 23. In addition to the website, Town Manager Search Committee (TMSC) Chairman Phil Sengle said that the job had been posted on relevant job boards and websites that prospective managers use.
The posting states, “The selected candidate must hold a master’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field and have a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of prior municipal management experience. Membership in ICMA and demonstrated experience in human resources, economic development, and municipal finance are preferred qualifications.” The post also specifies that it is preferred that the candidate live in Clinton, but that it is not a requirement.
In the 2018 elections, the town overwhelmingly voted to change its form of government from the current selectman form of government to a town manager form. With a town manager form of government, there will no longer be a board of selectmen. Instead, a professional, accredited town manager, answerable to a newly formed, seven-member town council, will act as the town’s chief executive, taking on many of the duties handled by the current first selectman. The hiring or firing of the town manager would require at least a 5-2 majority vote by the Town Council.
The Town Council that will hire and supervise the new town manager will be selected in the November 2019 elections. The inaugural manager will be offered a three-year contract, but there is no limitation on the number of times a contract may be renewed or extended. While the job posting specifies that it is preferred, not required, that the candidate live in Clinton, Sengle said that the town might offer some form of relocation package as an incentive to live in Clinton.
Besides the educational qualifications, the town is also seeking skills related to personnel management, human resources, communication, economic development, and fiscal policy.
“The town manager should always communicate directly and frankly, but always positively and respectfully, and remain politically astute without being political. Excellent listening and communicating skills are essential,” the brochure states.
The desired qualities listed in the brochure were developed after three public meetings held last month with a representative from Strategic Government Resources (SRG), the company hired by the town to help with the town manager search.
“The meetings were quite helpful. It’s a two-way street because its benefits SGR and for the voters it gave them a chance to ask questions and learn,” said Sengle.
Now that the job is posted, Sengle said the next step in the process is for the TMSC to meet with Town Council candidates to brief them on the process since the Town Council members will make the ultimate decision on whom to hire.
The TMSC will receive weekly reports on the status of the application with detail such as how many applications have come in and how much attention the job has garnered. Sengle said that once the TMSC has narrowed down the candidates to a final three to five people, there will be a public meet-and-greet between those people and the town.
Sengle emphasized that for the final candidates, and their families, the fit between the citizens in the town and the town manager has to be mutually beneficial. In other words, the candidates and their families have to like the town as much as the people like the perspective manager.
“It’s a huge deal if you’re moving from out of town and if you have a family. Both parties have to like it and be happy,” Sengle said.
Once the final candidates are selected, the newly seated Town Council will conduct one final round of interviews and then make the decision on whom to hire.
Once a town manager is selected, it is likely that the person will need 30 to 90 daysd to take office, especially if he or she is a town manager in another town. During that time before the new hire comes to Clinton to take office, the town would appoint or hire an interim manager.