District of Sooke council has agreed to hire an outside firm to search for a new CAO for $16,000.
 
Norm McInnis resigned as chief administrative officer in March.
 
He has been with the district since July 2019.
 
McInnis has been diagnosed with cancer.
 
Consultant Paul Murray is an award-winning local government leader with more than 30 years of executive experience in local government.
 
"He has a comprehensive understanding of executive recruitment, and its alignment with organizational design, labour relations, and human resource strategic planning," the district said in a statement.
 
Mayor Maja Tait said the market for CAOs is very competitive.
 
Six communities in B.C. are looking for CAOs, including Oak Bay.
 
Reporting to district council, the CAO is the municipality's top executive, and is responsible for administrative operations.
 
"With everything that's going on in local government, it's important we hire the right person and get that person in place as soon as possible," Tait said.
 
Murray will pare down applications, conduct reference checks, and create a shortlist for council.
 
He's also interviewed council and senior staff members, the mayor said.
 
Council members will do the final interviews.
 
Interviews begin this week.
 
Meanwhile, the district is also on a hiring spree at other levels of the organization, including engineering technologists, building officials, corporate services assistants, community planning manager, and parks and environmental services manager.
 
Kevin Laird.