The search is on for the next superintendent-president.

The City College Board of Trustees has joined together with Santa Monica-based search firm Stanton Chase International to fill the position, which has officially been vacant since July 2011.

Dr. Jack Friedlander, who was formally executive vice president of educational programming, currently serves as the acting superintendent-president as the college begins its search for potential candidates.

“We are searching for a top flight administrator who is also team builder,” said Dr. Peter Haslund, president of the board of trustees. “We are going through a very difficult time. We have had times where the budgets have needed to be cut, but never like this.”

Stanton Chase posted the job announcement on Dec. 16, 2011. Resumes are being reviewed on a first-come-first-serve-basis by the search firm.

“The agreement is that we pay [Stanton Chase] $50,000, plus there may be some additional costs,” Haslund said.

City College is currently constructing a selection committee composed of 16 individuals volunteering to overview the applicants that have been considered eligible by Stanton Chase.

The committee will be composed of:

• Three faculty members, appointed by the Academic Senate
• One teacher from the Instructors’ Association
• Three classified staff members
• Four members from administration
• One member from the SBCC Foundation
• One student from Continuing Education
• One student from the Student Senate
• Two members from the community.

Haslund explained that the purpose of the search committee was “to ensure that the various contingency groups, faculty, staff, management, and general public all have a say in the selection process.”

The college put out a press release for community members and stated “all interested candidates for these volunteer positions should have a demonstrated interest and knowledge or expertise in higher education. Two of the members will represent the community at large while the third member must be a current SBCC Continuing Education Student.”

“What’s unusual about Santa Barbara City College is the close relationship the college has with this community,” said Friedlander. “One of the most highly sensitive issues with this college is the 67-year tradition of being responsible for adult continuing education to this community. It’s a very special relationship between the community and this college.”

The board hopes to have the search committee compiled by Feb. 9 so they can begin briefing members before the application period has closed.

“Stanton Chase overlooks the candidates then they are sent to the search committee,” said Haslund.

The City College website displays the job advertisement to encourage applications, but the agency also seeks out possible candidates.

“They head hunt, they are going after people who don’t even suspect that they are a candidate,” said Haslund. “We don’t want necessarily the person who is just applying. We want the person who isn’t applying.”

The primary qualifications are a master’s degree, but a doctorate is preferred, and a minimum of five years of management experience. Ideal applicants will have administrative experience in the higher education field, and classroom teaching experience.

Stanton Chase has been working closely with the board to determine other important qualities.

Haslund said, “They have been very good about asking, ‘tell us what you’re looking for’, and that’s translated to us needing to be very specific.”

Stanton Chase will announce the names of the most suitable applicants to the search committee on March 10.

The applicants will be narrowed down and interviewed by the board between April 15 and 30.

May 15 is the target for selecting the next superintendent-president with the hopes of having them fill the position by July 1—the beginning of the fiscal year.