Business Details
24 Years
experience
Expert Executive Recruitment for Public Sector Agencies
Prothman has been a trusted partner in executive recruitment for public sector agencies across the United States since 2002. Our team combines over 30 years of direct local government experience with 21 years of specialized public sector recruiting expertise to deliver tailored recruitment solutions. We pride ourselves on our deep understanding of organizational needs, having successfully completed over 850 recruitments and managed 19,000+ applications. Our flexible service optionsFull Recruitment, Sourcing & Screening, and Sourcing Onlyaccommodate diverse client requirements while maintaining rigorous candidate evaluation standards. With a proven track record in placing leaders for cities, counties, and nonprofits, we emphasize cultural fit and long-term organizational success.Our proprietary Online Application Service streamlines hiring processes, and our interim staffing solutions address temporary workforce challenges. The Prothman team comprises seasoned professionals with decades of leadership experience in local government, fire services, and human resources. We maintain industry-specific knowledge through continuous engagement with public sector trends and challenges. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through comprehensive candidate vetting, including reference checks and background investigations. By prioritizing client collaboration and transparent communication, we ensure recruitment processes align with organizational goals and community needs.
Services
Executive Recruitment
Interim Staffing
Online Application Service
JobBoard
Public Sector Hiring
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- 20+ years of specialized public sector recruitment experience
- Team with 30+ years of direct local government leadership experience
- Proven process with 850+ successful executive placements
- Flexible recruitment options tailored to client needs
- Proprietary online application system streamlining hiring processes
Services
Executive Recruitment
Our executive recruitment service specializes in identifying top-tier leadership candidates for public sector organizations. With 21 years of focused experience, we employ a comprehensive process that includes position profiling, targeted candidate outreach, and rigorous screening. Our three-tiered approachFull Recruitment, Sourcing & Screening, or Sourcing Onlyadapts to client needs while maintaining high placement success rates.
Interim Staffing
Interim staffing solutions address short-term workforce needs in public sector organizations. We maintain a qualified pool of professionals with government experience for temporary assignments. Our service includes matching candidate expertise to organizational requirements, handling payroll logistics, and ensuring continuity during transitional periods for departments facing vacancies or special projects.
Online Application Service
The Online Application Service (OAS) provides a secure digital platform for job application collection. Designed specifically for public sector hiring, it offers customizable application forms, document management, and candidate tracking. For $475 per job, organizations receive six months of posting access with automated status notifications and comprehensive application management tools.
the jobBoard
Our jobBoard platform connects public sector employers with qualified candidates nationwide. For $175 per listing, organizations can advertise openings to a specialized audience. The service includes social media promotion, application tracking integration, and extended visibility through our established network of public sector job seekers.
Public Sector Recruitment
Specialized recruitment solutions for government agencies and nonprofits focus on understanding unique organizational cultures. Our consultants combine local government expertise with national search capabilities. Services include executive leadership placement, department head recruitment, and specialized role fulfillment across municipal, county, and state-level positions.
People
Sonja Prothman
Owner and CEO
Sonja Prothman leads Prothman with 15 years of local government experience gained through city council service and public sector consulting. She manages all operations and client relations while overseeing recruitment processes and organizational growth strategies.
Steve Worthington
Senior Consultant
Steve Worthington brings 30+ years of local government leadership as a former City Manager and Community Development Director. His expertise includes economic development and municipal operations, gained through roles in Washington state agencies and elected office.
Cliff Moore
Consultant
Cliff Moore offers 30 years of public service experience including executive roles at Washington State University and Thurston County. His international experience includes Peace Corps service and refugee resettlement leadership in Sudan and Honduras.
Duncan Wilson
Consultant
Duncan Wilson contributes 30+ years of public service including legal and administrative roles. As former Town Administrator of Friday Harbor and City Attorney, he provides specialized expertise in municipal governance and legal compliance for public sector placements.
Warren Merritt
Consultant
Warren Merritt offers 37 years of fire service experience including leadership roles in Washington and Idaho fire departments. His expertise in emergency services management and public safety administration enhances our specialized recruitment capabilities.
Questions
What public sector organizations do you serve?
We serve cities, counties, special districts, transit agencies, fire departments, health districts, and nonprofit organizations throughout the United States.
How does your executive recruitment process work?
Our three-phase process includes position profiling, candidate outreach and screening, and final interview coordination. We offer full-service, partial, or sourcing-only options tailored to client needs.
What interim staffing solutions are available?
We provide qualified interim professionals for temporary assignments in public sector organizations. Clients specify job requirements and we match experienced candidates for short or long-term placements.
How does the Online Application Service benefit employers?
OAS offers a secure, customizable platform for collecting job applications at $475 per job. Features include document management, automated notifications, and six months of application tracking with optional extensions.
Can you help with specialized government roles?
Yes, our consultants have expertise in placing candidates for specialized roles including fire chiefs, HR directors, public works officials, and executive leadership positions across various government departments.
Reviews (1)
Paul Recanzone
Jan 10, 2020
Report
My experience with Prothman is only as a candidate and, as a candidate, I have only had negative experiences with the company. Considering I have not been hired for any of the positions I have applied for through the company, this may seem like "sour grapes". However, I have not been hired for any position I have applied for through Waldron either and I would rate Waldron as five stars. The difference between the two companies is that I always feel that Waldron considers me, as an applicant, to be a valuable commodity. I have not felt so with Prothman. In short, I will never apply for another
