Woodburn Independent Online

City of Mt. Angel getting strong pool of candidates

Applications for the city administrator's job coming from all across the country

• By: Rachel Cavanaugh  
• Published: 12/29/2009 12:04:25 PM

MT. ANGEL — The city of Mt. Angel received more than double the applications expected for its open city administrator position.
 
According to interim administrator Pete Wall, when the recruitment period closed Dec. 21, the city had 46 applications.
 
They came from 20 different states, he said.
 
“That was pretty good,” said Wall. “That was more than I expected. We definitely got the word out across the country.”
 
The interim administrator said the boost in applicant numbers isn’t necessarily linked to the economy since it’s a government position and applicants must have certain qualifications. Overall, he added, it’s a narrow field.
 
“It’s not like the unemployment rate has spurred people to apply because most of the people in this group are employed,” he said. “It’s hard to say.”
 
He noted that staff has been screening applications as they come in and almost all meet the minimum requirements.
 
Wall said the high number could point to advantages of Mt. Angel specifically.
 
“Oregon is an attractive state, so I think that helped us,” he said.
 
At this point, a city council committee is working with Wall to whittle down the selection. Although he doesn’t have an exact target, he guesses the city will interview about a half dozen people.
 
“It was really a good, strong group of candidates,” Wall said.
 
The recruitment follows an eight-month period of arbitration with former administrator Jim Hunt, during which the hiring process was put on hold.
 
The city recently posted the announcement for a full-time hire.
 
The new employee will replace Wall, who took over in February after city council terminated Hunt’s employment without cause.
 
Wall has spoken in the past about the need for the new administrator to be able to work with the city council and staff.
 
He has also pointed to a desire for professional competence and the ability to fit in with the community.
 
The city position requires a bachelor’s degree in public administration with five years experience as an administrative manager or assistant, he said. A master’s degree is preferred, as is certification by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
 
The first round of interviews will begin in early January, with a final round scheduled for February.
 
Wall said he hopes to have a selection before the council at its March 1 meeting. The permanent administrator is scheduled to begin work April 1.
 
After a long filling-in period, Wall said he is happy to be moving along with permanent hiring.
 
“I’ve had a good time doing it but I’m basically retired, so I’m ready for someone else to step in,” Wall said.

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