On June 13, the Bedford Town Manager job listing was officially released on the Job Opportunities section of the Town website.
The Town Manager position was vacated this spring when Former Town Manager Sarah Stanton moved to a state position. Colleen Doyle shifted from the role of Assistant Town Manager to serve as Interim Town Manager at the beginning of May.
The five-page Town Manager position statement was created by Community Paradigm Associates, an executive recruitment consultant firm hired by the town to assist in the search process.
With input from emails, an online survey, and a community forum, the ideal candidate is described in 16 bullet points. Some qualities include public administration education and experience, skilled in fiscal management, capital planning, and procurement; works collaboratively; supports transparency and diversity; is approachable, empathetic, and engaging. Among other key elements, the desired ideal candidate is described as being concerned about environmental sustainability, recognizes the historic nature of Bedford, and recognizes value in volunteers in local government.
Bernard Lynch, principal of Community Paradigm Associates, said, “We think that Bedford is a very attractive opportunity and are very optimistic that we will have some very good candidates for the Screening Committee and then the Select Board to consider.”
The Screening Committee is made up of seven residents, including two from the Select Board and five volunteer residents who will narrow down the candidates to three or four people before passing along recommendations to the Select Board to complete the interview and hiring process.
Chair of the Bedford Select Board, Bopha Malone, stated last month that the Board hopes to have a new town manager in office “on or before September 11.” Lynch says the process is on schedule.
One week in, Lynch reports, “We’ve already had eight people submit materials in application for the position.”
Applications will be accepted up to the July 9 deadline. Community Paradigm Associates will work with the Screening Committee during the second week of July to set up the first round of interviews soon after. Lynch said, “It’s our hope to have names to the Select Board in early-to-mid August.”
The Town Manager Job listing can be found here: https://ma-bedford.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2696/Bedford-TM-Position-Statement-2023.
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