How to Hire a City Manager

City managers answer to the city council.

Do you need someone to help your city run more efficiently and cut spending? If so, you need a city manager. Officials in cities large and small hire these professionals to manage the city's budget, oversee the hiring of officials for departments like the fire department and manage records. The right manager can help the city run like a highly efficient well organized business. Typically, the process of hiring a city manager is initiated by the mayor or the city council.

Instructions

1. Convene a city council meeting to discuss the qualifications sought in a city manager. Typically those considered have at least a Bachelors degree in a field of study such as urban planning, political studies or finance. Masters degree in public administration is seen as highly desirable.

2. Create a job posting for the city's website. It should also be included the state's website for job opportunities. Included should be the educational requirements agreed upon by the city council, as well as benefits included with the position like health insurance. It should also tell candidates how to apply.

3. Review and screen the resumes submitted, disregarding those that do not meet your minimum criteria. Present the remaining resumes to the city council members. Using their input, select five to interview based on their qualifications. Keep the other resumes in case none of the five candidates are selected for the job..

4. Contact the five applicants and schedule individual interviews with the members of the city council. During the interviews, ask each applicant for his vision of the city's future and how their previous experience would help them in the job. Encourage them to speak candidly with the council members and allow the council members plenty of time to ask any questions they might have.

5. Discuss the candidates at a city council meeting held after the initial interviews. Hold a vote to determine which person will be offered the city manager position based on the interviews and the qualifications of each candidate, Once the choice is made, contact the applicant selected and extend the offer.

References

• State University: City Manager Job Description