The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is moving forward with the recruitment process for a new Inspector General, a role crucial for oversight and accountability within the city. During a recent meeting, Benjamin Ritchie from the Department of Human Resources presented an update on the Request for Proposals (RFP) aimed at hiring a recruitment firm to assist in this important search.

Ritchie explained that the board has the authority to appoint the Inspector General and can choose to engage a recruitment firm to streamline the process. For this inaugural recruitment, the board previously worked with the Department of Human Resources, which took about nine months from announcement to selection. This time, the board authorized the opening of an RFP, resulting in three proposals from prequalified executive recruiting firms. After careful evaluation, the Department of Human Resources recommended Berkeley Search Consultants, which proposed a budget of approximately $55,000 for their services.

The recruitment process outlined by Berkeley Search includes conducting a needs analysis, developing a job description, sourcing candidates, and providing support throughout the hiring process. The estimated timeline for completion is about ten weeks, although this could be adjusted based on community and board input.

Board members expressed their desire for community involvement in the recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of gathering input on the characteristics desired in the new Inspector General. They discussed the possibility of holding community meetings independently, without incurring additional costs from the recruitment firm.

The board is keen to make a decision soon to ensure the hiring process aligns with budget considerations and to have the new Inspector General in place by the beginning of the next year. Members expressed confidence in the recruitment firm’s ability to attract a diverse pool of candidates and noted that they could revisit previous applicants if necessary.

As the board prepares to finalize their decision, the focus remains on ensuring that the recruitment process is thorough and inclusive, reflecting the community's needs and expectations for this vital position.