Kennebunk’s recruitment of a new town manager has begun, with a view to a fall hiring. Portland Press Herald file photo
KENNEBUNK – The executive search firm assisting Kennebunk find its next municipal manager has set Sept. 19 as the beginning date for the first review of applicants.
Advertisements for the position began to appear nationwide around Aug. 12.
The select board on June 7 chose the Keller, Texas firm of Strategic Government Resources to lead the recruitment effort.
Board Chair Shiloh Schulte provided an update at the Aug. 16 meeting. “The interview process will go through October at least,” he said.
Schulte told the board that there will be opportunity for the public to see interviews, “especially later on in the process, when we get down to finalists.”
Board member Miriam Whitehouse noted the prior board has assured the public they would have the opportunity to be involved. “I wondered if they would participate in some way before we get to the interview process,” she asked.
Schulte said some elements of the process must be in a closed-door session because of personnel matters, but that there are others that could be public.
“I think this board and (Strategic Government Solutions) is very committed to having public engagement before the preferred candidate is selected … and be able to provide that feedback and input into the process,” said Schulte. ” Yes, there will be opportunities.”
There has been some public input in the process.
In June and July, Mark McDaniel of Strategic Government Resources, the lead consultant in the search, sought public input on the characteristics, skills, knowledge, and abilities desired in Kennebunk’s next town manager and hosted a virtual community forum July 14 to solicit additional input on those topics.
According to the town manager advertisement, “The Town of Kennebunk is seeking a skilled, approachable, and collaborative servant-leader with experience guiding organizations and communities through change and growth. The successful candidate will be patient and inclusive, sensitive to the fact that change can be uncomfortable for residents who are passionate about the Kennebunk they have known and loved for many years. They will have thick skin, someone able to roll with the punches in a dynamic organization.”
The ad goes on to state, in part, that “while prior town/city manager experience is not required, candidates for this role must understand how to deal with tight budgets, work with unions, manage projects, and strategically pursue major goals. Familiarity with state and federal grant programs, public safety needs, small-town politics, economic development, and a beach-focused tourism community’s seasonal fluctuations will be valuable. Additionally, they should have extensive knowledge of climate change and environmental impacts on coastal communities. Those connections to and within the community will be critical to the new Town Manager’s success. Community leaders are also looking for strong communication and negotiation skills, someone who can build bridges and ease tensions amid passionate perspectives.”
The ad goes on to state that while the successful candidate for the position will not be required to live in town, residency is strongly preferred.
“Close proximity will be necessary to stay engaged with the community and respond to issues as needed,” the ad states.
The annual salary is $112,622 to $168,933, depending on qualifications and experience.
Town Manager Mike Pardue announced his retirement from the Kennebunk position, scheduled for mid-November, at the end of January. He has since been offered the town manager position in Wells and is expected to start there Nov. 14.
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