County Manager Recruitment Process
Learn more about the process to replace Harry Burgess, who retired May 28, 2021.
Steven Lynne Selected as New County Manager - Item Goes to Council for Consideration on
Tuesday, July 13, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers
The County Council recently conducted interviews with several applicants for the position of County Manager. As part of this process, three separate panels interviewed the selected applicants. Each panel's composition varied according to its members, with one panel representing each of the County Council, the County's Senior Managers, and members of the public.
Following the interview process, the Council considered the information received and initiated negotiations for employment with their preferred applicant. The result of such negotiations is represented by documents attached to the July 13 agenda. The purpose of the July 13 agenda item is for Council to consider approval of the agreement and approve the appointment.
NOTE: The July 13 Council meeting is in person and open to the public. However, for convenience, the following Zoom meeting link and/or telephone call in numbers may be used for public viewing and participation:
https://zoom.us/j/96924055455
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656
or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Zoom Webinar ID: 969 2405 5455
For Viewing alone visit this link: http://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar
What is the process and timeline to hire the new County Manager?
The County Council is responsible for hiring the County Manager. The Council has contracted with CPS-HR to assist with this process over the next few months. The consultant will help market the position nationally and then follow up with qualified candidates who are a match to a candidate profile that was created by discussing "Ideal Candidate" attributes with the Council.
Update as of July 9, 2021:
Beginning the week of April 26, 2021, candidates were able to review a recruitment brochure and then apply through the Los Alamos "Jobs" website:
Review the job posting and download the brochure here.
The job posting closed May 24, 2021. During this same time frame, CPS-HR launched an online survey requesting community/stakeholder feedback on attributes desired in the next County Manager. (See link to survey below - deadline has passed.)
After the job closed, CPS-HR began screening applications against minimum qualifications to make recommendations to the Council. CPS-HR was responsible for providing a "short list" of candidates to the Council, as well as assisting with the initial and final interview process.
The County Council narrowed down their list of County Manager candidates the week of June 21, and the final three candidates were:
Steven Lynne, Acting County Manager, Los Alamos County, NM
Erin Reinders, City Manager, City of Unalaska, Alaska
Leandro Cordova, Finance and Administration Director, New Mexico Counties, NM
The final candidates were in Los Alamos on June 24 and June 25. On June 24, the candidates had a tour of Los Alamos and White Rock. Later that day, members of the public were invited to an open house reception to meet the candidates from 5:00-7:00 p.m., with introductions at 5:30 p.m. at Fuller Lodge. Residents were invited to visit with each candidate and then fill out a comment form with their feedback and top choice(s). Forms were collected and given to the Council as part of their review of all candidates. On June 25, the candidates conducted interviews with the Council, a community panel representing residents and businesses, and senior management staff.
The Council then met in closed session to consider the three candidates and make a selection, to be announced at the July 13 meeting after contract negotiations were completed.
About the consultant...
CPS-HR Consulting (CPS-HR) has been assisting organizations with their talent management needs for over 35 years. They have unique expertise in delivering HR management and consulting services, employment testing, and assessment services to government agencies throughout North America. Their core competency is knowledge of and expertise in the public sector.
As a Joint Powers Authority, whose charter mandates that they serve only public sector clients, they actively serve all government sectors including Federal, State, Local, Special Districts, Higher Education, and Non-Profit Organizations. CPS-HR has a systemic and extensive understanding of how each government sector is inter-connected to each other and to their communities. That understanding, combined with their knowledge of public and private sector best practices, translates into meaningful and practical solutions for operational and business needs.
CPS-HR has more than 93 full-time employees as well as 200+ project consultants and technical experts nationwide. CPS-HR has worked with more than 1,200 government and public/non-profit clients throughout the United States and Canada.