The search is on for a new CAO in Wellington North.
At a special council meeting on June 26, consultant Nigel Bellchamber, of N.G. Bellchamber & Associates of London, outlined the process that will be followed to replace Lori Heinbuch, who was terminated from the township’s top post in May.
The hiring schedule and qualifications the consultant is seeking were formulated after interviews with councillors and senior staff.
“(We) worked toward the concept of what’s an appropriate fit for the CAO of the municipality,” Bellchamber said of the initial interviews, conducted over nine hours.
“The interviews with members of council and staff…were very productive in my opinion,” the consultant said in his report to council. “They demonstrated a significant degree of consistency in the expectations of all parties in the skills, competencies and qualifications that are desired in a Wellington North CAO.”
Skills being sought include, strong communication skills to deal with the public, staff and council; a skilled administrator with respect to balancing and achieving multiple priorities; take responsibility for developing a culture of pride among staff; be seen as a respected professional administrator by all parties; be a skilled negotiator capable of resolving conflicts; understand that council and administration be accountable and open to the public and offer advice to council on a wide range of municipal regulations and legal matters pertaining to regulations.
Bellchamber will team up with the township selection committee, comprised of Mayor Ray Tout and councillor Andy Lennox, during the recruitment process.
“You (the new CAO) should be focused on the users and the needs of the citizens,” Bellchamber said.
The consultant said it is essential for the CAO to map out short-term strategies with long-term goals.
“You’re better off to explain to people what your goals and benefits are to get people to come around to your goals,” Bellchamber added.
“If you can get all those things in one package, fabulous.”
The township will start advertising immediately with applications expected to close July 25.
The consultant will narrow down the number of applications along with members of the selection committee and come up with suitable candidates.
Bellchamber said the interview process will be undertaken by him at the beginning of August. The full council will take part in any second interviews required.
“I draft the questions and I ask the questions so everyone is treated the same,” he said of the interview process.
It’s expected a new CAO could be in place by late September.
Council, with the exception of councillor Mark Goetz, who was unable to attend the meeting, approved the process and the selection committee members with councillor Dan Yake recommending Lennox be part of the selection committee.
“It’s giving us direction, a goal so we have a timeline so we can put this structure in place,” Tout said of the approved hiring process.
