Major initiative to recruit “the best” for Pittsburgh’s new mayoral administration
PITTSBURGH, Pa., Oct. 22, 2013 -- A major initiative to help recruit a skilled and qualified management team for Pittsburgh’s new Mayoral administration has been launched by The Pittsburgh Foundation in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics.
With enthusiastic endorsement from both of the City’s Mayoral candidates, Councilman Bill Peduto and Josh Wander, the program is designed to provide comprehensive support for whoever is elected at the November 5 election to assemble an experienced team who will help lead Pittsburgh into a new era of development.
Under the $275,000 initiative, called Talent City, the Foundation today launched a new website – Talent-City.com – to attract and invite applications initially for key leadership positions covering responsibilities in the new Mayoral administration that include finance, planning, administration and public safety. Available positions will be posted on the website by mid-November.
The employee selection process will be overseen by a 10-member bi-partisan committee, representative of the local community, co–chaired by Mariann Geyer, vice president for External Affairs at Point Park University; Greg Jordan, recently appointed general counsel with PNC Financial Services Group; and local business entrepreneur, Greg Spencer, former senior vice president and chief administrative officer with Equitable Resources.
Human resources advisors will help to screen applicants and between three and five candidates will be provided for each available position for the Mayor to consider. The Mayor may select from this short-list, or request additional candidates from the Oversight Committee.
“The idea of building public trust and transparency in civic government is not new,” said Grant Oliphant, The Pittsburgh Foundation’s president and CEO. “But overcoming the many barriers to strong, open local government, including a tendency to indulge in patronage, too often is easier said than done.
“Restoring faith in our City government is essential for our community if we are to continue to build on our achievements – for Pittsburgh to fulfill its tremendous potential and to distinguish itself in the local and national spotlight for the right reasons as a publicly engaged, progressive and transparent government.”
National searches are being conducted for some of the top-level positions, and regional searches are being undertaken for others. Three Selection Committees have been established, reporting to the Oversight Committee, and these will help screen applicants for positions in the categories of Finance and Administration, Public Safety and Urban Affairs, and Planning and Innovation.
The recruitment process is scheduled to continue for approximately six months and the Oversight Committee will provide on-going advice and evaluations through the fall 2014.
“One of my core campaign themes is to restore openness, accountability and professionalism to city government,” said Democratic Mayoral candidate Bill Peduto. “I applaud the foundation community for inviting all Mayoral candidates to participate in this process and I look forward to selecting the best and brightest staff and ideas for Pittsburgh should I be elected.”
The website, Talent-City.org, also provides an innovative platform hosting an ‘idea portal’ that is open for the public to submit suggestions and recommendations designed to help the new Mayor’s administration shape policy and prioritize initiatives.
The Institute of Politics (IOP) has played a key role in identifying and enlisting support from community leaders by serving on the Oversight and Selection committees. “Our goal is to support transparency, objectivity and rigor to the City’s hiring process and to have a long-term positive impact on the effectiveness of our local government,” said Terry Miller, Director of the IOP. “We are committed to the development of enlightened public policy to improve the quality of life and economic vitality to our home region.”
Grant Oliphant said that Pittsburgh becomes one of the first city administrations in the United States to adopt a Talent City-style model to help drive a local government hiring process, placing firmly the focus for recruitment of senior public positions on skills and expertise, regardless of individuals’ personal affiliations. “Quite simply, Pittsburgh needs the best in order to be the best, and this initiative is a vital step towards achieving that,” he said.