More than 40 apply for city manager post

The search for Sisters' new city manager is moving forward and on schedule, according to recruiter Erik Jensen of Jensen Strategies in Portland.

The names of all the candidates will remain confidential until the finalists come to Sisters for a series of meetings with the Sisters City Council and senior staff, the community, and active and retired local government officials. Many of the applicants are currently employed in other communities, and the recruiters don't want to jeopardize their current positions by releasing any names.

Jensen reported that their office received more than 40 applications from a broad range of qualified candidates. Phone interviews with all the qualified candidates were completed last week by Jensen's office, and now the list will be reduced to semi-finalists. Those chosen as semi-finalists will undergo interviews, either in person or via Skype, with a committee made up of some City Council members and senior City staff. Jensen indicated they are aiming to have the semi-finalist interviews completed by the end of April.

"The City indicated they would like to have someone in place by July 1 (beginning of the City's 2017/18 fiscal year). We are doing everything in our power to meet the City's deadlines," Jensen told The Nugget.

As the process reaches the end, the citizens will be notified regarding an open house at City Hall, when they will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the finalist candidates for the city manager position and provide input to the Council.