Ten search firms, some with local ties, are in the running to recruit Augusta’s next city administrator.
Procurement officials opened bids Thursday in a July 7 request for proposals from firms to conduct the search in conjunction with city staff.
The city hasn’t had a permanent administrator since the March 2022 resignation of Odie Donald II. Several on the commission think Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse should remain in the role permanently.
The commission voted last month to conduct a “regional” search and require the candidate to have held a government job in the last three years.
Nearly all the firms now vying to do the search are headquartered in the southeast, and one, Loop Recruiting, is based in Augusta.
Loop Recruiting was founded in 2015 by Jason Kennedy and Charlie Wall and specializes in IT, software development and digital marketing recruiting. The firm is currently recruiting for tech jobs around the southeast, according to job postings.
More local ties
Two of the contenders are based in North Carolina and include Developmental Associates of Chapel Hill. The company “assesses emotional intelligence throughout” the recruiting process and clients are primarily local governments in North Carolina.
The firm has a local connection in former administrator Janice Allen Jackson, who is one of its senior consultants.
Also hailing from the Tarheel State is Raftelis Financial Consultants of Charlotte. Raftelis offers an array of local government and utility consulting services and is already on the city payroll as a consultant for Augusta Parks and Recreation.
Atlanta-based Dover Staffing is a boutique staffing and project management company founded by Sanquinetta Dover.
S. Renée Narloch & Associates, based in Tallahassee, lists among its clients for senior-level executive recruitment cities across Florida, Texas and Virginia.
PFHI Group, which has an office in Atlanta, specializes in professionals for hire, primarily in the private sector and health care. Atlanta-based Corporate Plus lists its specialty as executive searches for state, local and federal government and private sector roles.
Other firms submitting proposals are accounting and tax firm Baker Tilly, Sunshine Express and Peachtree City-based PeopleLift, which specializes in manufacturing, tech and professional services recruiting, including for news brands.
What’s next?
Each of the firms submitted price proposals. Once selected, the chosen firm will working alongside Augusta Human Resources Director Anita Rookard to develop a recruitment strategy, screen applications, perform background checks, design and carry out the interview process, according to the city’s request for proposals.
It’s expected to prepare a detailed report on 12 top candidates and recommend seven to move forward, but the city will have access to all applicants.
According to the job description in the city’s request, the administrator position requires a minimum of a master’s degree in business or public administration or a related field and three to five years as a city administrator or manager.
The description concludes with the caveat that “experience in business or administration sufficient to perform the principal duties and responsibilities of the position successfully” would also suffice.
