Executive Recruiting · Public Service

Recruit the leader who moves your community forward.

Clear brings a candidate focused, well managed search process to local government and public education.

The Clear Way

Clear communication. Candidate focused. The Clear Way.

Clear Career Professionals was founded to provide a better, more transparent approach to municipal executive search and local government recruiting. We believe the way candidates are treated reflects directly on the organization they may one day serve. Every search is built on communication, transparency, preparation, and trust.

  • Weekly candidate callsWe stay in regular contact with applicants throughout the process. Clear expectations and timely updates matter.
  • A better opportunity storyPositionCast™ gives candidates a richer view of the role, organization, challenges, and community than a brochure or posting can provide.
  • Thoughtful active outreachWe engage qualified people beyond the usual applicant pool through thoughtful, direct, and respectful outreach.

Two public service focus areas

Different institutions. The same need for exceptional leadership.

We help public organizations make high-stakes hires with clarity and care. The work is tailored to the institution, the role, and the people it serves.

Local Government

Executive and hard-to-source recruiting for cities, counties, special districts, and public agencies seeking leaders who fit both the role and the community.

  • City Managers & Administrators
  • Deputy & Assistant City Managers/Administrators
  • Police & Fire Chiefs
  • Engineers, Attorneys & IT Directors
  • Finance, HR, Public Works & Planning Leadership
  • Parks, Recreation & Department Leadership

Public Education

Recruiting for school districts seeking exceptional leaders for their most consequential roles, from the superintendent’s office to the leadership team that supports every campus.

  • Superintendents & Assistant Superintendents
  • CFOs & Chief Business Officers
  • School District Police Chiefs
  • Chief Academic, Operations & Technology Officers
  • District Attorneys/General Counsel & HR Leadership
  • Communications & Other Cabinet-Level Leadership

Recruiting packages

The right level of support for you.

Our three core packages use the same candidate focused standards while giving organizations the level of partnership, process, and involvement that fits their search.

Full Executive Recruitment

A complete, collaborative search for high-stakes executive roles where fit, leadership style, and community confidence matter most.

We work closely with leadership to understand the organization’s goals, culture, and priorities, then guide the search from outreach through final selection.

  • Tailored candidate outreach
  • Outreach to qualified passive candidates
  • Weekly contact with every applicant
  • Live 30-minute virtual candidate interviews
  • Leadership profiles and background assessment
  • Finalist interview coordination and facilitation

Mid-Level Executive Recruitment

Focused support for critical, hard-to-fill positions that need stronger outreach than a traditional posting can deliver.

We actively seek qualified candidates, maintain weekly contact throughout the process, and provide the hiring manager a complete list and supporting documents for qualified candidates so your team can lead semifinalist and finalist steps with confidence.

  • Targeted recruitment for difficult-to-fill roles
  • Outreach to qualified passive candidates
  • Weekly contact with every applicant
  • A PositionCast™ episode to help candidates understand the role

Hybrid Executive Recruitment

A custom combination of services for organizations that need a search designed around their budget, timeline, priorities, and internal capacity.

We build a practical scope together, selecting the support that adds the most value while allowing your team to retain the work it is equipped to lead.

  • Flexible mix of full-search and targeted-recruitment services
  • Clear proposal and defined responsibilities
  • Built around the unique role and organization

Ready to talk about a recruitment?

Whether you are hiring a city manager, superintendent, CFO, School District Police Chief, or another critical leader, we’ll help you identify a clear path forward.

Start a conversation

Recruiting FAQs

Answers for a well-informed search.

Every recruiting question belongs here. Open any topic for more detail.

Does Clear Career Professionals only recruit in Texas?

No. Clear is Texas based, but we provide local government recruiting and consulting services in multiple states. We have completed work in Texas, Montana, New Mexico, and California and welcome conversations with public organizations in any location.

What types of positions does Clear Career Professionals recruit for?

We recruit executive and difficult-to-fill public sector roles for local governments, public agencies, and school districts, including city managers, superintendents, department heads, CFOs, police chiefs, engineers, attorneys, and other leadership positions.

What makes Clear a candidate focused recruiting firm?

Candidate focused means treating every applicant with professionalism, respect, and clarity. We believe that experience reflects directly on the organization we represent.

How does Clear keep candidates informed during the search process?

We set clear expectations, communicate process milestones, and provide regular updates. In Mid-Level Executive Recruitment, that includes weekly contact with every applicant.

Does Clear use AI to score resumes, rank candidates, or make selection decisions?

No. Clear does not use AI to score resumes, rank candidates, or make hiring decisions. Candidate evaluation is led by people, grounded in the organization’s priorities and informed by direct engagement.

How does Clear evaluate candidates?

We look beyond a resume to understand experience, leadership approach, communication, fit with the organization, and readiness for the role. The process is tailored to the search and led by people.

What is The Clear Way?

The Clear Way is our commitment to communication, transparency, preparation, and trust. It guides how we represent clients, communicate with candidates, and move every search forward.

Why does candidate communication matter in executive recruiting?

Clear communication respects people’s time and protects the organization’s reputation. It also helps candidates understand the opportunity and make better decisions about it.

What is PositionCast™ and how does it support recruiting?

PositionCast™ is a conversation that helps candidates understand the role, organization, challenges, and community in a way a job posting cannot. It gives serious candidates a fuller picture before they enter the process.

How does Clear help protect the client’s reputation during a recruitment?

We represent each organization with clear expectations, respectful candidate communication, and a thoughtful process that reflects well on the people and community it serves.

Why should a public organization use an executive search firm instead of handling recruitment internally?

A focused recruiting partner expands the reach of the search, engages passive candidates, brings structure to a high-stakes process, and gives internal leaders more capacity to focus on their work.

Does Clear recruit passive candidates?

Yes. Strong public sector leaders are often not applying to postings. Direct outreach is an important part of how we build a qualified candidate pool.

Does Clear use one-way video interviews?

No. We do not use one-way video interviews. We believe a meaningful conversation is a better way to understand a candidate and a better experience for the people considering the role.

Public Sector Executive Recruitment & Talent Solutions

Building Stronger Organizations Through Leadership

Recruiting the right municipal executive is one of the most important decisions a community can make. The goal is not simply to fill a vacancy, it is to find the right fit for the organization, the elected body, the staff, and the people they serve. Cities rely on strong public sector leaders to provide stability, guide daily operations, support long term planning, and help build trust with the community. A thoughtful recruitment process helps identify candidates who not only meet the qualifications, but also understand the responsibility, culture, and public service commitment required to lead effectively.

The Candidate Focused Recruiting Firm: The Clear Way

Clear Career Professionals was founded to provide a better, more transparent approach to municipal executive search and local government recruiting.

We are a candidate focused recruiting firm because the way candidates are treated reflects directly on the city, county, or public agency they may one day serve. Whether the search is for a City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Finance Director, Human Resources Director, Assistant City Manager, or other senior public sector leader, every candidate deserves a process that is professional, timely, respectful, and clear.

We call this approach The Clear Way.

The Clear Way is built on communication, transparency, preparation, and trust. Candidates should understand the opportunity, the expectations, the process, and the timeline. Clients should have a recruiting partner who protects their reputation, represents their organization professionally, and keeps the search moving with purpose.

In public sector executive recruitment, the right hire is not just about filling a vacancy. It is about finding a leader who fits the organization, understands public service, and can help strengthen the community. That is why our local government executive search process is designed to serve both sides of the recruitment with fairness, clarity, and professionalism.

Types of Recruitments

At Clear Career Professionals, we specialize in both Executive and Mid-Level Recruitment, offering tailored solutions to help municipalities, counties, and other public organizations build strong, cohesive teams that align with their organizational goals and community values.

Full Executive Recruitment

Our Executive Recruitment services are designed to identify top-tier leadership talent that is the best fit for your organization. We work closely with city leadership to understand your unique needs, goals, and organizational culture as the best fit for the organization is our priority.

A key part of our process is conducting live, 30-minute virtual interviews with candidates, providing deep insight into their experience, leadership style, and potential fit. These interviews are carefully crafted to help your selection committee make informed decisions, ensuring the candidate aligns with your organization's vision and values.

Key features include:

  • Tailored candidate outreach to attract the most qualified professionals

  • In-depth virtual interviews providing comprehensive insights into each candidate for your selection committee

  • Detailed leadership profiles and comprehensive background assessments

  • Interview coordination and facilitation, guiding you through every step of the selection process

Mid-Level Executive Recruitment

Our Mid-Level Recruitment focuses on filling essential roles that are difficult to recruit through traditional postings. We actively seek candidates for these hard-to-fill positions and turn all qualified candidates over to your team for final interview and selection.

This service streamlines recruitment while helping you find the right talent for critical roles.

Key features include:

  • Targeted recruitment for difficult-to-fill positions

  • Candidate outreach beyond standard job postings to locate and attract passive candidates

  • Cost-effective recruitment that provides strong value for your organization

While this recruitment costs less, you can rest assured that we do not sacrifice quality in our diligence to clients or our focus on candidates.

Mid-Level Recruitment includes weekly contact with all applicants and a PositionCast™ recording to better inform candidates about the challenges and benefits of the role.

This streamlined approach still reflects the Clear Way.

Hybrid Executive Recruitment

While our Full Executive Recruitment and Mid-Level Executive Recruitment packages are our standard offerings, we understand that every organization’s needs are different.

Clear Career Professionals is willing to develop custom hybrid recruitment packages upon request. These options may require additional discussion so we can better understand your goals, determine which services are most valuable to your organization, and prepare a proposal that fits your specific needs.

Several of our clients have benefited from customized packages that better align with their priorities, budget, timeline, and internal capacity.

If you are not sure which package is the best fit, contact us. We will talk through your needs and help identify a practical recruitment solution that works for your organization.

Clear Recruiting FAQs

  • No. Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm, but we provide local government recruiting and consulting services in multiple states. We also have a satellite office in Montana led by retired City Manager Mark Shrives.

    In addition to Texas, Clear has completed recruitments and other services in Montana, New Mexico, and California.

    We are currently focused on expanding in the Mountain Plains Region of ICMA, but we welcome conversations with cities, counties, and public agencies in any location.

  • Clear Career Professionals specializes in local government recruiting and municipal executive search.

    We assist cities, counties, and public agencies with recruitment for City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, Human Resources Directors, Public Works Directors, and other senior leadership positions.

  • We believe the candidate experience reflects directly on the organization conducting the search.

    Our process is designed to keep candidates informed, respected, and prepared from the first contact through the final decision.

    A professional recruiting process protects the client’s reputation while helping candidates better understand the opportunity.

  • We personally contact each candidate every week with an update on the status of the process.

    Even when there is no major change, candidates deserve to know where things stand.

    This helps eliminate uncertainty, reduces frustration, and ensures candidates do not feel overlooked or forgotten.

  • No. Clear Career Professionals does not use AI to score resumes, rank applicants, or make candidate selection decisions.

    We believe resumes, cover letters, and application materials should be thoroughly reviewed by experienced human professionals who understand local government leadership, organizational fit, and the responsibilities of public service.

  • We review each candidate’s experience, qualifications, leadership background, communication style, and alignment with the needs of the organization.

    Our role is to help clients understand the strengths, experience, and potential fit of each candidate while maintaining a fair, professional, and consistent process.

  • The Clear Way is our approach to recruiting. It is built on communication, transparency, preparation, and trust.

    For clients, it means a structured and professional process that protects the organization’s reputation.

    For candidates, it means clear communication, respectful treatment, and a better understanding of the opportunity.

  • Strong candidates often have options. When candidates receive poor communication or feel ignored, they may withdraw from the process or form a negative impression of the organization.

    Consistent communication helps maintain candidate interest, builds trust, and reflects well on the client.

  • PositionCast™ is a recruiting tool created by Clear Career Professionals to help bring the job opportunity to life.

    Instead of relying only on a written brochure or job posting, PositionCast™ allows candidates to hear directly about the organization, the position, the leadership expectations, and the community. It is especially useful for reaching passive candidates who may not be actively searching job boards.

    Learn more on our PositionCast™ page.

  • Every interaction with a candidate reflects on the client.

    Clear represents each organization professionally, communicates clearly, maintains confidentiality when appropriate, and ensures candidates are treated with respect.

    Our goal is for every candidate to leave the process with a positive impression of the organization, even if they are not selected.

  • A professional executive search firm brings structure, outreach, candidate communication, market awareness, and an independent review process.

    For high level local government positions, the right search process can help attract stronger candidates, reduce uncertainty, and support a more informed final decision.

  • Yes. Many qualified local government leaders are not actively searching job boards.

    Clear uses direct outreach, professional networks, targeted communication, and tools like PositionCast™ to help reach leaders who may be open to the right opportunity.

  • No. Clear Career Professionals does not use one way video interviews.

    We believe candidates should have a real conversation with experienced professionals, not record answers into a system without meaningful interaction. For semi finalist rounds, we typically use live 30 minute virtual interviews conducted with seasoned city executives, often from the same career field as the position being recruited.

    This creates a more professional, more useful, and more respectful evaluation process for both the candidate and the client.

Contact Us

Have a recruitment need or a question about our process? We would be glad to talk with you about your organization’s goals and help determine how Clear Career Professionals can assist.

recruiting@clearcareerpro.com

(214) 550-2850