Job posted for interim CAO in Nanaimo

Nanaimo is on the hunt for an interim chief administrative officer.

The job was posted Tuesday on the city’s website with a closing date of April 23. It does not specify how long the position is for and the salary is not described.

Nanaimo council met in-camera on Monday morning after the city’s seven-member management team urged council last week to hire an interim chief administrative officer.

The team was set up about a month ago to stand in for chief administrative officer Tracy Samra, who has been on leave since February. Nanaimo’s finance director is also on leave.

Samra is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Nanaimo on May 1. A special prosecutor is seeking a peace bond for Samra, who was arrested by RCMP following allegations of threats uttered at city hall.

Senior management staff said in their notice to council that the group’s temporary plan was not “catching on” and that they were returning to performing their normal jobs.

Nanaimo’s job posting said the chief administrative officer acts as a connection between council and staff and is responsible for the “efficient and effective management of the organization.”

The position calls for a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, plus 15 years’ related experience, with at least six years in a senior management role.