The search for the next Washington city manager gets underway the latter part of September or early October, according to Bobby Roberson, interim city manager.

That’s when the city will begin advertising for someone to replace Brian Alligood, who left the city manager’s position in June to become Beaufort County’s manager.

Applications from candidates seeking to become the next city manager will be accepted until the latter part of October, according to Roberson. The City Council discussed parameters of the city manager search Monday evening during a closed session to talk about personnel matters.

Roberson said the council is looking for someone with a college degree (preferably related to public administration), about five years of experience in local government and experience and/or familiarity with operating an electric utility since Washington provides power to its residents and others. Roberson said he expects from 50 to 75 people to submit applications, but that number could go as high as 100, which happened several years ago when the council was seeking a new city manager and hired Josh Kay. Alligood replaced Kay a little more than two years ago.

The five people who win the City Council seats in the November election will interview from three to five candidates sometime after the election and before taking office in December, Roberson said. City staff will review applications, selecting who the staff believes are the best-qualified candidates, Roberson said.

It’s appropriate for the incoming City Council to choose the next city manager because that council will have to work with that person.

“Hopefully, by the end of November the council will have made its choice,” he said.

The goal, according to Roberson, is to have the new city manager on the job by Jan. 1, 2016, sooner if possible. If a new city manager is not on the job by then, there is a contingency plan in place.

“If they (new city manager) don’t begin working by Jan. 1, I would do the pro bono,” Roberson said, meaning he would continue to work as interim city manager until the new city manager can begin his or her new job.

The city will work with the N.C. League of Municipalities as it searches for a new city manager, Roberson noted. The organization serves as an advocate for cities and towns, promotes excellence in municipal government and has resources to aid local governments seeking administrators and other professional employees.