Evanston aldermen approved last week a schedule for hiring a new city manager with the hope of filling the city’s top post by summer.
The search comes after former city manager Wally Bobkiewicz left Evanston in September for a job in Washington. A representative from GovHR, the consulting firm hired to conduct the search, said the job already is attracting attention.
“The drums are starting to beat a little bit out there about the opportunity,” said Heidi Voorhees.
However, while Evanston is a great opportunity for someone interested in managing city government, similar posts in other cities recently have been tough to fill, Voorhees said.
“We’re seeing difficulties finding talent for positions across the board,” Voorhees said. “It’s not unusual for communities to really struggle in filling their top job or more significant technical positions.”
Aldermen in January approved a contract with GovHR for up to $35,000.
Voorhees said her firm will reach out to potential candidates and let them know of the opportunity through email blasts, social media posts and personal outreach, among other strategies. GovHR staff will review every resume to make sure no candidate is passed over, and comb each candidate’s public social media profiles for inappropriate posts.
“Sometimes we find things are buried in resumes” that could qualify a candidate, Voorhees said.
Aldermen will pick the five to seven candidates they want to interview, and the top three finalists will meet with the public before a final decision is made, Voorhees said. Candidate names will not be made public until the three finalists are announced.
According to the schedule approved at the Feb. 24 meeting, consultants will meet with aldermen, staff and community stakeholders the week of March 9 to learn what is expected in the next city manager.
A survey also will be placed on the city’s website to help residents share what they want in the position.
The job opening should be announced between March 16 and 18, according to the schedule, and distributed to professional websites and through social media. A recruitment brochure should be finished by March 20.
May 1 is the deadline for candidates to submit their resumes, according to the schedule. Aldermen will receive a recruitment report by May 22, and consultants that week should meet with the mayor and city council to review candidates.
Evanston officials should host interviews in early June, according to the schedule. The top three finalists will return for a public forum and follow up meetings with the mayor and city council before a hire is made.
