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Albert Lea’s search for a new city manager is expected to begin this week with the posting of the job online. 

The Albert Lea City Council on Monday briefly reviewed the profile for the position during a work session and then formally approved the position profile during the regular meeting afterward. 

Gary Weiers, management consultant for David Drown Associates — whose company, DDA Human Resources, is performing the search for Albert Lea’s city manager — said the position would be posted no later than Wednesday. 

The city is looking for a new city manager after the resignation of David Todd at the end of May for personal reasons. Todd had started in the position at the end of September following the resignation of former City Manager Chad Adams a few months prior. Adams left the position to serve as the CEO of the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership. 

The council decided to keep much of the candidate profile the same as the previous search after when Adams left with the exception of removing a part about needing a sense of humor. 

The posting states the salary will range from $116,459 to $146,536. The person must have a master’s degree in public administration, community or economic development, business, finance or a related field and three years of public sector administrative and managerial experience. A bachelor’s degree in one of the listed fields and five years of experience is considered equivalent. 

Albert Lea Public Safety Director J.D. Carlson said the city received few qualified applicants during the last search and asked Weiers what was being done to attract qualified applicants this time around. 

Weiers said he did not anticipate any alternative strategies, but noted he hoped this year’s search would wield a different set of candidates, being a year apart from the last search. He noted there have been a lot of retirements among city managers recently. 

Applications must be submitted by July 23 with finalists selected on Aug. 24. Final interviews will be held on Sept. 17. 

Weiers said because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he is suggesting a one-day interview, instead of the two-day interview the city had during the last search, which could also include an interview with community stakeholders. 

He said it would not be possible to do a community meet-and-greet because of social distancing concerns.