The search is underway to hire Bethel’s next city manager. Nine applications have arrived since the job notice went public last month, and Bethel City Council members are meeting every Friday at noon until they fill the position. Last Friday marked the first of these meetings.
The search that brought us departing city manager Ann Capela took six months. Mayor Rick Robb doesn’t know if the city is in for another long haul.
“It took a long time,” Robb said. “Ideally, in a perfect world, we would have a city manager hired before our current one leaves, or at the same time the current one leaves.”
City Manager Capela is leaving her three-year contract more than a year early, on September 23, without penalty after what she says has been a physical struggle with the Arctic climate.
The Mayor says a local hire would be great.
“It’s been mentioned a lot of times. We’re interested if we had more local applicants, people who actually live here, and/or people who are more familiar with Alaska,” Robb said. “I’d definitely like to see that.”
So far, he’s only seen one.
The city manager serves as the chief executive officer of the city and oversees all city department heads under the supervision of city council.
“We’re looking for leadership experience, experience in handling budgets and personnel and operations,” Robb said.
The deadline to apply is August 24, but that period could be extended if no candidate is hired beforehand.
The Friday meetings are open to the public.
