Search for new Iqaluit SAO continues

MICHAELA RODRIGUE

IQALUIT — The Iqaluit town council is stepping up its search for a new senior administrative officer, a search that it began more than four months ago.

Coun. Matthew Spence and the municipality of Iqaluit’s director of human resources, Jim Grittner, will solicit proposals from three executive search firms to help council decide what skills its newest senior administrative officer should have.

The Town began its search last fall after former SAO John Raycroft resigned. He reportedly had health problems.

A number of municipal employees filled in as acting SAO until the Town’s former director of social services, Paul Fraser, was appointed acting SAO on Nov. 26, 1999.

After conducting two cross Canada searches, council now wants help deciding what skills and experience they should look for in a manager, Fraser said.

“A municipality at different ages and stages may be looking for their senior administrator to have highly specialized skills in particular areas,” Fraser said.

“We’re at a cross roads … when you’re right in the middle of it I think it’s difficult for council to say these are the exact qualities, characteristics or skill sets we want to see in the senior administrator of the town,” Fraser said.

If council likes a proposal, a firm may be contracted to sit down with council and draft a profile, Fraser said.

Council hasn’t said it will hire a head hunting firm to actually recruit a new manager. It may decide to do that after it has decided on a profile, Fraser said.

The Town has conducted two cross-Canada searches for a new SAO. They have advertised in southern newspapers and Canadian Association of Municipality’s publication.