our process

EXCELLENCE IN EXECUTIVE TALENT ACQUISITION

Civic leadership search partners

Leadership Experience. Search Precision. Proven Results.

Civic Leadership Search Partners brings a proven, nationwide record of delivering successful executive search outcomes across public safety and higher education. Our work spans large metropolitan agencies, mid-sized and small municipalities, universities, and multi-jurisdictional systems, reflecting our ability to manage complex leadership searches with professionalism, discretion, and precision.

Our Executive Search Process

Leadership Experience. Search Precision. Proven Results.

CLSP utilizes a structured, disciplined executive search methodology designed to align

leadership talent with organizational needs, community expectations, and long-term

strategic goals. Each engagement is customized to the client’s governance structure, culture,

and operating environment.

A defining strength of CLSP is access to a national inventory of highly qualified public-safety

executives, developed through decades of professional leadership, prior executive searches,

and trusted relationships across the United States. This inventory allows CLSP to

proactively identify and engage proven leaders—including individuals who may not be

actively seeking new opportunities—while maintaining confidentiality and discretion.

Detailed process steps, tools, and methodologies are discussed during a formal consultation.

Our process typically includes:

Project initiation and alignment

with appointing authorities

and senior leadership

Stakeholder and organizational

assessment to understand priorities,

culture, and leadership expectations

Strategic utilization of CLSP’s national candidate inventory, combined with targeted outreach

to identify the strongest leadership matches

Optional community and employee engagement strategies, tailored to the client’s size and preferences

Development of a comprehensive

position profile and recruitment materials

Targeted national outreach

and candidate identification

Structured screening and

evaluation of candidates

Presentation of qualified

candidates for client consideration

Background verification

and due diligence,

as authorized and appropriate

Proven National

Experience

  • CLSP is focused and equiped to lead executive searches for:

    • Chiefs of Police

    • Fire Chiefs

    • Corrections Leadrship

    • Deputy Chiefs & Members of Executive Staff

    • Directors of Emergency Management

    • Public safety and transit leadership roles

    These engagements span diverse geographic regions and organizational structures, demonstrating our ability to adapt to each community’s governance model, expectations, and operational realities.

A Disciplined,

Results-Driven Approach

  • Our search process is designed to identify leaders who are prepared to succeed in today’s demanding public-sector environments. Successful placements have come from both internal leadership pipelines and external national searches—each selected through a rigorous, competitive, and objective evaluation process.

  • Every candidate is assessed for:

    • Alignment with organizational values and culture

    • Readiness to lead in complex environments

    • Ability to build trust with stakeholders and communities

    • Strategic thinking and operational credibility*

Project Management Meeting

CLSP begins the search with a structured project management meeting involving the Shelburne

Town Manager, Human Resources Manager, and other designated leaders.

This meeting confirms:

• Position expectations and required competencies

• Project timeline

Engagement strategy

• Review of existing job description and documentation

Key Stakeholder Interviews

CLSP conducts structured interviews with internal stakeholders to understand leadership

priorities, culture, operational demands, and expectations for the next Chief of Police.

Interviews may include:

• Shelburne Town Leadership/Selectboard/Council

• Appointing Authorities

• Department Directors

• Cross Section of sworn/professional staff of the Police Department (all levels)

• Community partners (business, education, clergy, non-profit, government)

Community & Employee Engagement

Consistent with the Town of Shelburne’s desire for a relatively robust community process, CLSP

will work with Shelburne’s Town Manager and Human Resources Manager to design

engagement opportunities appropriate to Shelburne’s size, culture, and expectations, ensuring

meaningful participation without unnecessary complexity.

Engagement options include:

• Community forums

• Focus groups (business, education, clergy, non-profit, government)

• Employee listening sessions

• Optional online surveys

• Review of relevant safety plans and budgets of Police Department and Dispatch.

Position Profile & Recruitment

CLSP prepares a detailed Position Profile outlining leadership priorities, organizational context, key competencies, and qualifications.

After approval, the content is incorporated into a

professionally designed recruitment brochure and landing page.

Advertising & Targeted Outreach

Advertising platforms may include:

• Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

• International Association of Police Chiefs (IACP)

• Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)

• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)

• National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLE)

• Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA)

• Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police

• New England and Vermont Public-Safety Networks

Candidate Identification & Recruitment

CLSP supplements advertising with:

• National networks of public-safety executives

• Targeted outreach to high-potential leaders

• Confidential referrals

• Customized research

Preliminary Research & Screening

CLSP conducts public-record and online research, including media reviews, public statements, and leadership history.

Findings are incorporated into the Screening Report.

After approval, the content is incorporated into a

professionally designed recruitment brochure and landing page.

Structured Screening & Evaluations

CLSP conducts screening interviews, evaluates each candidate’s leadership accomplishments,

and identifies any gaps or inconsistencies. We summarize these findings for Shelburne’s town

leadership and provide interim updates to ensure Shelburne’s leadership remains fully informed throughout the process.

CLSP has extensive experience managing searches that include internal candidates and will ensure a fair, transparent, and respectful process that maintains internal morale while preserving the integrity of the search.

Presentation of Candidates

Candidates are presented in three advisory tiers:

• Highly Competitive

• Competitive

• Limited Alignment

*All advancement decisions are made solely by the Shelburne town leadership. CLSP assists in

identifying four to eight semifinalists.

Trusted Outcomes

  • Each placement reflects a thoughtful, disciplined process rooted in experience and integrity. Our work consistently delivers leaders who are prepared to make an immediate and lasting impact—professionals who earn trust, lead with purpose, and strengthen the organizations they serve.

Our guarantee

  • Civic Leadership Search Partners approaches every engagement with professionalism, discretion, and respect for the responsibility entrusted to us. Our process is designed to support informed decision-making and deliver leadership solutions that stand the test of time.

The Civic Leadership Search Advantage

Built on Experience. Guided by Process. Proven by Results.

Experienced professionals guiding every decision with integrity.

A structured, strategic approach built for confidence and clarity.

Leadership outcomes that inspire trust and lasting impact.

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