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:
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Current hiring challenges in municipal government
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Why executive roles are harder to fill
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How cities must market purpose and community impact
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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:
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Why hiring managers review resumes in about one minute
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Writing concise cover letters that explain employment gaps
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Ethical use of AI in professional applications
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Using the STAR method for behavioral interviews
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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.
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Why culture often drives retention more than compensation
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Building a positive workplace culture in city government
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How HR supports department heads and executive leaders
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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
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Production Credit:
Produced by Clear Career Professionals