2. Interview Applicants for City Administrator Springsted Incorporated
380 Jackson Street, Suite 300
Saint Paul,MN 55101-2887
; S p r i n g s t e d Tel: 651-223-3000
Fax: 651-223-3002
www.springsted.com
MEMORANDUM
T0: Scandia City Council
FROM: Sharon Klumpp
DATE: August 10,2012
SUBJECT: Interview Materials
Several items are provided for the Scandia City Administrator interviews scheduled for August 15 and 16,including
the interview schedule, interview questions,illegal questions that should not be asked and reference reports.
Interview Questions. Generally 10-12 questions can be asked in a 50 minute interview and allow for Council follow
up questions and questions from the candidate. Additional questions are also provided if time permits. Please feel
free to contact me at 651-223-3053 or sklumpp an.sprinQsted.com if there are other questions you would like to ask or
suggested revisions. Note that we have also provided a list of questions that should be avoided in interviews.
Reference Reports. We have attached reference reports for the candidates. We have had difficulty connecting with
the references for one candidate in particular. This is not a reflection on the candidate—she has provided everything
we have requested. Rather scheduling a time to talk to some references has been complicated by vacations and
business schedules. We are attempting to schedule additional reference contacts next week and will provide you
with updated reports on August 15.
Public Sector Advisors
City of Scandia, Minnesota
City Administrator Selection Process
Wednesday, August 15 and Thursday, August 16, 2012
� �� W�tlnesda ;�:Au�_u��15 *��� . `�:.�: �`�
5:00—5:50 p.m. Kristina Handt
6:00—6:50 p.m. Michelle Tesser
7:00—7:50 p.m. Jennifer Wothe
Thursda ,Au ust 16th
5:00—5:50 p.m. Kim Points
6:00—6:50 p.m. Michel Mike Pogge-Weaver
7:00—8:00 p.m. Deliberations
"*It is suggested that City Council members arrive at City Hall no later than 4:45 p.m. so interviews can
begin promptly at 5 p.m.
. �
,
City of Scandia, Minnesota
City Administrator Executive Search
Interview Questions
Candidate Name:
1. Welcome to Scandia. We have had the opportunity to review your resume and questionnaire and
want to take a few minutes to learn more about you, your interests and what specifically attracts you
to the Scandia City Administrator position.
2. Explain the role of the Scandia City Administrator and comment on how you would work with City
Council members, collectively and individually.
3. The Scandia City Administrator's approach to dealing with residents and visitors sets the tone for our
community. Based on your current or most recent position, what would elected officials say that they
like about your interactions with the general public and what don't they like?
4. As a rule, city councils and advisory boards don't like to be surprised. Tell us about the last time you
surprised one or members of your city council or an advisory board. Describe the situation and
actions you have taken ro prevent such surprises from happening again.
� S p r i n g s t e d City of Scandia,Minnesota,City Administrator Search. 1�
5. W hat is your experience in deve loping an d managing a bu dge t?
6. Tell us about your experience with planning, land use regulations and zoning administration and how
you will work with us to preserve our rural environment.
7. Tell us about the last time you had a significant conflict with a City Council member or a resident.
Describe the situation and the outcome.
8. In Scandia, the role of the City Administrator is very hands-on. Based on your review of our job
description, tell us if there are any duties that you could not perform and how you would propose to
handle those duties?
9. Tell us about your experience supervising staff and describe the toughest disciplinary issue you have
handled. .
� S p r i n g s t e d City of Scandia,Minnesota,City Administrator Search. �
. 10. What do you need from the City Council to be successful in this position?
1l. We are interviewing five people for the City Administrator position. What are the three most
important things for us to remember about you?
12. Do you have any questions for us or would you like to make a final comment?
Additional questions if time permits
13. What do you like most about working in city government and what do you like least?
14. Tell us about the toughest management situation you have faced and how what you've learned from
the situation has shaped your management style.
� S p r i n g s t e d City of Scandia,Minnesota,City Administrator Search. �
- 15. Explain your experience managing services that are provided by contract and if you have ever
� addressed performance issues with a contractor.
16. What do you consider to be your strongest abilities as a manager and what activities do you prefer to
delegate?
17. Tell us about a recent situation when the City Council did not accept your recommendation. How did
you handle the situation?
18. Describe the most difficult person with whom you have had to work. How did you handle your
interactions with this individual to achieve acceptable outcomes?
19. How do you keep the City Council informed of City activities and operations or issues that could
potentially create citizen concerns?
� S p r i n g s t e d City of Scandia,Minnesota,City Administrator Search. �
CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA
ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO AVOID
Various federal, state and local laws regulate the questions the City, as the employer, can ask an
applicant. Our interview questions must be related to the job the applicant is applying for-the
focus must be: "What do I need to know to decide whether or not this person can perform the
functions of the job?"
Examples of illegal questions are provided below, this list is by no means complete, but is used to serve as
a guide.
1. NationalOrigin/Citizenship
Avoid questions about where the applicant or the applicant's parents were born.
Avoid inGuiries about an applicant's name such as asking the derivation of one's last name-"is that a
Spanish name?"
2. Age
Avoid questions about age/date of birth.
Do not ask a candidate when he or she graduated from high schooUcollege.
Avoid questions regarding the age of children.
Avoid asking about dates of military service.
3. Gender
Avoid questions asking an applicant if they have ever changed their name.
4. Race/Color
Avoid questions regarding an applicant's race.
Avoid questions regarding color of hair,eyes,skin,etc.
5. MaritallFamily Status
Avoid questions about marital status or are you single or married.
Avoid asking whether an applicant's spouse is employed.
Do not ask if the applicant has any children.
6. Affiliations
Avoid asking applicants to list all clubs,societies and lodges to which tl�ey belong.
Avoid any information which would solicit information on the race,color,religion,national origin or
ancestry of its members.
7. Religion or Creed
Avoid inquiries into an applicant's religious denomination,religious affiliations or religious holidays
observed.
Applicants may be asked if they are available to work on Saturday or Sundays if needed.
8. SexualOrientation
Avoid all questions related to this area. Examples of questions to avoid include are you related to
your roommate and have you ever been tested for AIDS?
9. Disabilities
Avoid this area entirelv-pre-job offer medical inquiries are prohibited!! Do not ask if applicants
smoke,are under a doctor's care, if they have received disability insurance,about their general health
condition,their workers' compensation history,or if they have any disability conditions.
10. Arrest Record
Avoid inquiries,the background check will review the applicant's criminal history, if it exists.
City of Scandia, Minnesota
City Administrator Executive Search
�terview Questions
Candidate Name:
1. Welcome to Scandia. We have had the opportunity to review your resume and questionnaire and are
interested in learning more about what attracts you to the City Administrator position.
2. Explain the role of a City Administrator and comment on how you would work with City Council
members,collectively and individually.
3. How do you keep the City Council informed of City activities and operations or issues that could
potentially create citizen concerns?
4. As a rule,city councils and advisory boards don't like to be surprised. Tell us about the last time you
surprised one or members of your city council or an advisory board. Describe the situation and
actions you have taken to prevent such surprises from happening again.
�������b�� City of Scandia,Minnesota,Ciry Administrator Search. �
5. What is your experience in developing and managing a budget?
6. Tell us about your experience with planning, land use regulations and zoning administration and how
you will work with us to preserve our rural environment.
7. When is the last time you had to get in someone's face? Describe the situation and the outcome.
8. In Scandia, the role of the City Administrator is very hands-on. Based on your review of our job
description, tell us if there are any duties that you could not perform and how you would propose to
handle those duties?
9. Tell us about your experience supervising staff and describe the toughest disciplinary issue you have
handled. .
��f I Cl{�S�e C� City of Scandia,Minnesota,City Administrator Search. �
10. What do you need from the City Council to be successful in this position?
11. We are interviewing five people for the City Administrator position. What are the three most
important things for us to remember about you?
12. Do you have any questions for us or would you like to make a final comment?
Additional questions if time permits
13. What do you like most about working in city government and what do you like least?
14. Tell us about the toughest management situation you have faced and how what you've learned from
the situation has shaped your management style.
����C���'��� City of Scandia,Minnesota,City Administrator Search. �3;
15. Explain your experience managing services that are provided by contract and if you have ever
addressed performance issues with a contractor.
16. What do you consider to be your strongest abilities as a manager and what activities do you prefer to
delegate?
17. Tell us about a recent situation when the City Council did not accept your recommendation. How did
you handle the situation?
18. Describe the most difficult person with whom you have had to work. How did you handle your
interactions with this individual to achieve acceptable outcomes?
'�������i�� City of Scandia,Minnesota,City Administrator Search. �4