FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The Council of the City of Fairmont has decided to re-open applications for the position of City Manager.
Following several months of interviews by the Search Committee, City administration and Council, the consensus was reached that the previous round of applicants did not meet the criteria officials were seeking in the City’s next administrative head.
“During our initial round of applicants, we received 32 applications from interested candidates in West Virginia as well as candidates across the United States. From this initial group, 15 candidates were carefully reviewed by the search committee and then four finalists were selected; two of these candidates withdrew their applications,” committee chair and Fairmont Mayor Anne Bolyard said. “After Council – as well as the City of Fairmont department heads – interviewed the top candidate from the initial round, the collective decision was made to expand the requirements as well as avenues to advertise the position of City Manager.”
This second round of applications will be more widely advertised, feature a new job description of the position and be open for longer than the previous search.
The minimum qualifications for this position include at least five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial experience at a senior level in a governmental entity, preferably as a City Manager, County Administrator, or similar position at another governmental agency. A four-year BA or BS degree in public administration, public policy, business or related field or an MBA or MPA in public/business administration from an accredited college or university is preferred but not required.
Strong negotiation, budgetary and team skills are a plus. A willingness to relocate to Fairmont’s corporate limits is required.
The search process will abide by the following timeline:
10/11/23 Posting of the position as directed by council.
11/17/23 Position posting closes at 4:30 p.m.
11/27/23 Search Committee begins the application review process.
12/21/23 Search Committee presents a list of finalists to City Council
1/9/24 City Council meets to discuss the finalists and sets final interviews.
“The position of City Manager is an integral leadership role to all levels as well as aspects of the City of Fairmont,” Bolyard said. “We are looking forward to reviewing the applications from this second round.”