#45 - Building Strong Public Sector Teams with Cheree Bontrager

Building Strong Public Sector Teams with Cheree Bontrager

How do Texas cities attract, hire, and retain strong executive leaders?

In this episode of The Clear Voice, host and Retired Police Chief James Groom and Retired City Manager Michael Boese speak with veteran municipal Director of Human Resources Cheree Bontrager about municipal hiring strategy, executive interview preparation, retention, and building a workplace culture that attracts leadership talent.

For councils preparing to hire a City Manager in Texas or organizations navigating municipal executive recruitment, this episode provides practical guidance from inside local government HR.

Municipal Hiring and Executive Recruitment

Cities across Texas are facing leadership pipeline challenges. Roles such as City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Finance Director, and HR Director require leadership readiness, not just technical qualifications.

This episode covers:

• Current hiring challenges in municipal government

• Why executive roles are harder to fill

• How cities must market purpose and community impact

• Why candidates evaluate council dynamics and city culture

Successful city manager recruitment depends on both process and workplace culture.

Resume and Interview Preparation for Municipal Leaders

For candidates pursuing executive roles in local government:

• Why hiring managers review resumes in about one minute

• Writing concise cover letters that explain employment gaps

• Ethical use of AI in professional applications

• Using the STAR method for behavioral interviews

• How to answer “Tell us about yourself” effectively

Candidates are interviewing the city just as much as the city is interviewing them.

Retention, Culture, and HR Partnership

Recruitment does not end when the offer is signed.

• Why culture often drives retention more than compensation

• Building a positive workplace culture in city government

• How HR supports department heads and executive leaders

• The importance of mentorship in developing future city managers

For any Texas municipal executive search, culture is often the deciding factor for top candidates.

TMHRA and Professional Development

Cheree also discusses the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association and its role in advancing municipal HR leadership across the state.

Learn more about TMHRA education and certification programs here: https://tmhra.org/education/

Chapters

00:00 What HR Really Does in Local Government 03:03 Cheree’s Journey into Municipal Human Resources 04:30 Resume Tips and Writing Effective Cover Letters 10:57 Interview Preparation and the STAR Method 14:35 Answering “Tell Us About Yourself” and Standing Out 20:00 Remember, Candidates Are Interviewing the City Too 22:43 Council Dynamics and City Reputation Matter 24:11 Why Interview Skills Matter for Executive Leaders 25:13 Current Hiring Challenges in Municipal Government 27:11 Attracting Leadership Talent to Public Service 28:16 Marketing the Value of City Government Careers 29:53 Building a Positive Workplace Culture 30:31 Retention Strategies Beyond Compensation 31:53 How HR Supports Departments and Leadership 33:37 TMHRA, Certification, and Statewide HR Collaboration 37:14 Final Advice for City Managers and HR Professionals

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.

Career Opportunities https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro