Orono has hired Texas-based search firm Strategic Government Resources to find its next town manager.
The position is vacant after Sophie Wilson’s departure, which the council approved Oct. 19 and is costing the town about $95,000 in payment to Wilson and legal fees. Wilson’s last day was Dec. 2, and Cornell Knight is now serving as interim.
Orono will pay no more than $28,900 to Strategic Government Resources, including a $26,400 fixed fee and up to $2,500 in ad placements, according to a Nov. 3 proposal. An agreement between the two parties, which the town finalized Monday, also states that Orono will reimburse finalists for travel-related expenses.
The search will begin in January 2024, roughly a month after the 12-year town manager’s departure, which followed several other exits within the town. By hiring a firm that has recruited municipal managers for positions nationwide, the council hopes to cast a wide net for candidates and find the right person for the job.
“Our goal is to bring in the best candidate,” said Geoff Wingard, council chairperson. “We know there are robust candidates in Maine. But ultimately we want the best person possible, wherever they are from.”
The town finalized its agreement with Strategic Government Resources on Monday. In the firm’s proposal, it outlines an example of a search, which typically takes 12 weeks after initial steps and job postings are complete.
Strategic Government Resources, which is owned by a former city manager, has conducted recruitments for more than 450 local government clients in 37 states, according to its proposal. That includes finding Kennebunk a new town manager in 2022.
The firm strives to understand a municipality’s unique culture, environment and local issues so that it can recruit a candidate whose values align with the community, the proposal said.
Among the services the firm provides are interviews with stakeholders and listening sessions; creation of a professional recruitment brochure; and launching a campaign, which includes job postings and social media marketing.
Later in the process, the firm will manage applications, screen candidates, check references and send a recruiter to Orono for two in-person visits, among other tasks.
The town’s professional staff deserves and expects a strong leader, said Wingard, who spoke for himself and not on behalf of the council Tuesday.
“What I want is somebody who is operationally competent,” he said. “Someone who can come in and do the work of a town manager right off the bat. I want someone who is an honest and clear communicator, and somebody who can quickly demonstrate their competency to staff.”
In a Nov. 6 statement, the council pledged seamless access to municipal services and committed to maintaining staff positions, including pay and benefits, during the leadership transition. It promised to oversee a search that will “authentically engage Orono citizens and adhere to a very high standard of transparency.”
The town is looking for municipal staff, residents and others to serve on a committee that will work with consultants to conduct the search.
Orono has also released an anonymous, five-question survey for members of the public and municipal staff. The responses will be used to create advertisements for the town manager position and inform the search process.
The survey is available through Jan. 15 on the town website. Those interested in joining the search committee should email [email protected].
