AUBURN — City officials put the finishing touches on a help-wanted ad Thursday night and will begin advertising for a new city manager Monday.

Councilors reviewed a final draft for the ad that will run in Maine Municipal Association and International City Managers’ Association publications and websites. Interim City Manager Don Gerrish said the ad also would be posted on the city’s website, www.auburnmaine.gov.

The ad touts the city’s intermodal rail port, airport, close relationship with neighboring city Lewiston and large population base.

It also spells out the city’s requirements: 10 years of experience as a municipal manager or related experience; financial knowledge specifically pertaining to municipal government; strong leadership, communication, collaboration and conflict management skills; and the ability to lead with confidence, integrity, transparency and a sense of humor.

Gerrish and Dick Metivier — both consultants from the Maine firm Eaton Peabody — said they expected to get at least 75 resume responses from the ad. Candidates have until March 5 to send cover letters, resumes, references and salary needs to Eaton Peabody.

The previous City Council voted to terminate City Manager Glenn Aho’s contract in October. They voted in November to hire consultants Eaton Peabody to lead the search for Aho’s replacement and to manage the city in the meantime.

Gerrish said the ad was built from comments left on the city’s website, discussions with councilors and staff and comments from a public meeting in January.

“Beyond the ad, the people who are really interested will do their homework,” Metivier said. “They’re going to investigate Auburn as much as we investigate them. This is just the first little step, attracting their eye.”

staylor@sunjournal.com