Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Tinley Park has hired an executive search firm to find a replacement for former Fire Chief Ken Dunn, who retired at the end of June.
Trustees approved paying a firm $20,500 to conduct the search, which will include candidates from both within and outside the fire department.
Giving what is almost a guarantee to the village, the company said that if the chief selected as a result of the firm’s search were to leave the village for whatever reason during the first two years of his or her employment, the company would conduct a new search for the village and not charge a fee for the work, other than seeking reimbursement for expenses.
Mayor Dave Seaman said the village does not have a real set time frame for selecting a chief, and that speed isn’t a factor, so much as getting the right person in there. He expects the company would ultimately identify perhaps three or four top candidates for village officials to consider.
Daniel Riordan, the department’s deputy chief of fire prevention, was named interim fire chief last month, and although his term runs through the end of September, it could be extended by the village board if needed.
#1 by Jim on July 22, 2016 - 9:39 PM
Why not offer it to Deputy Chief Klotz? He is the current Deputy Chief of Operations.
#2 by John Hermanek on July 22, 2016 - 3:29 PM
Either the mayor and village officials already know that Mr. Riordan isn’t the right full-time hire for that job (and they truly just need him to serve in the role temporarily), or, there’s enough question that this period of time serves as something of an ‘on-the-job interview’. Either way, the village needs to have an alternative if Mr. Riordan doesn’t work out. $20k plus expenses for this type of search (plus the retention guarantee) sounds very reasonable given some of the recruiting processes that I’ve been a part of in the private sector.
#3 by CrabbyMilton on July 22, 2016 - 11:34 AM
I know and understand that every community has their own rules often carved in concrete in terms of selecting police and fire chiefs and whether we agree or disagree with the methods, we can still respect their prerogative.
Having said that, why not just officially offer the position to Mr. Riordan as the permanent chief provided he would be interested? If he declines, then start a search.