The first review of applications for the Soldotna city manager position is scheduled for Thursday.
Soldotna is in the midst of a nationwide search for a top executive to replace Tom Boedeker, who plans to retire from the city manager position this fall.
During last week's city council meeting, Mayor Dave Carey announced 21 applications have been turned in by people seeking the position. The recruiting firm, Waters-Oldani Executive Recruitment, is conducting the search.
Although the search is being conducted nationwide, anyone from the Kenai Peninsula interested in applying is welcome to do so, Carey said.
According to an eight-page, full-color recruitment brochure created by the search firm, qualified candidates are asked to submit their resumes online at www.watersconsulting.com/recruitment.
The initial review of applications is to sort through the candidates' qualifications Thursday, but the position will remain open until filled.
Waters-Oldani is expected to pare the list to 10 semifinalists, four or five of which will be forwarded to the mayor and city council for interviewing.
The starting salary range for city manager is between $115,000 and $130,000.
Candidates are expected to have well-developed financial management and budgeting skills; proven experience with economic development focused on tourism and health care; and sensitivity to the need for protecting and enhancing the natural environment within in the city and on the peninsula.
The successful candidate should have a bachelor's degree and preferably a graduate degree in business or public administration. Preference will be given to candidates with five years of experience as a city or borough manager, assistant city or borough manager or senior municipal executive.
Anticipating Boedeker's retirement, the city hired Ric Bucy last year to serve as interim assistant city manager through and beyond Boedeker's retirement date, expected to be sometime in October.
The city also created a new planning director position to hire someone to help update the city's Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Under the council-manager form of government, the Soldotna city manager is accountable to the mayor and city council and responsible for day-to-day management of municipal services and administration. The city has 53 full-time employees and approximately 17 part-time summer workers in the Parks and Recreation Department.
Phil Hermanek can be reached at phillip.hermanek@peninsulaclarion.com.
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