By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – The company hired by the Town of Normal to conduct only the third city manager search in 50 years has posted a job description for the post on its website, providing some details what the town council is looking for in replacing retiring Mark Peterson.
The position requires seven to ten years of “increasingly responsible senior management experience,” at least some of it in government, according to the ad.
The job description said applicants must have “a passion for local government service, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a desire to lead a high performing organization.”
A bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, finance, or a related field is required. It’s “highly desirable” for candidates to have a master’s degree in public or business administration.
Applicants must also have “demonstrated leadership in the successful administration of municipal operations with a strong emphasis on customer service, teamwork, and cooperation,” the ad said.
The town is looking for someone with experience in a college or university community, and the new city manager is expected to move here in a “reasonable” amount of time.
The annual salary is $185,000 or higher. Peterson currently makes $189,400. He retires at the end of this fiscal year on March 31.
The town council last month hired Northbrook-based consultant GovHR USA at a cost of $20,000 to recruit candidates.
Bloomington is also looking for a city manager to replace David Hales, who’s leaving late next month to become Joliet’s city manager. It’s expected the city council will hire an interim city manager before settling on Hales’ permanent replacement.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
