Imagine a job tryout that lasted for six months, with no guarantee you would get the post.

That is James Gailey’s unusual situation as acting South Portland city manager and leading candidate for city government’s top job.

“It’s not every day that you get to test drive a position that you ultimately want,” said Gailey, who has worked in South Portland city government since 1995. “I feel very fortunate to do that.”

Gailey disclosed last week he will apply for the city manager’s job, when the City Council advertises for it this fall. The council has not set a deadline for filling the post, but some councilors are optimistic that it may be done this year.

Gailey has been the fill-in city manager since Ted Jankowski quit without notice in May 2007. Although council members expressed support this week for Gailey’s candidacy, they say a thorough search is still needed.

“We have one good candidate,” Councilor James Hughes said, noting Gailey’s interest. “But the council wants to make sure it takes advantage of every opportunity to find the best person for the position.”

Added Councilor Maxine Beecher, “I certainly have an appreciation for Jim’s work. He has held every job there is in the city. We always have found him to be respectful and definitely committed.”

Gailey was assistant city manager when Jankowski suddenly quit and the council made him acting city manager.

Gailey, who is 36, previously had filled in as acting city manager when Jeff Jordan retired from the post in 2006. Gailey chose not to apply for the job.

This time around, Gailey said, he is ready. He described the city manager’s role as “CEO for the city.”

“The city manager is the chief executive officer of 12 small businesses – or city departments -from parks and recreation to police and fire protection,” said Gailey. “Every department here is strong and provides superior service to residents. I want to continue to build on that, improving service delivery and keeping costs down for the taxpayer.”

Gailey gets high marks for his deep knowledge of city departments and his ability to work with a variety of constituents.

He steadily has risen through the ranks of South Portland city government, serving as tax collector, site planner and community development director along the way.

As acting city manager, Gailey has addressed some difficult problems and tried to contain costs.

“I like thinking outside the box,” Gailey said. “I’m not afraid to ask ‘Why not?’ instead of doing things the same way they’ve always been done.”

At last week’s South Porland City Council meeting, he proposed creating a reserve account to reduce taxpayer costs for a new, more costly recycling program that starts next year. The reserve funds would come from the sale of a trash hauling truck the city will no longer need.

Gailey also has responded to a stream of complaints from homeowners and residents about the condition of Broadway, from Evans Street to the Casco Bay Bridge. The state plans to repave the mile stretch, but not until 2010.

Oil trucks rumbling over broken pavement cause buildings to shake and cracked the foundation of a nearby home.

Last week, Gailey said the city could pave the road with a one-inch overlay to serve as a temporary, affordable fix until the project gets done. The council met Monday night and approved his request to get the work done, with funding from the city’s tax increment financing account.

Mayor Claude Morgan has lauded Gailey’s work and dedication. He described Gailey as the candidate to beat in the hiring process.

But Hughes said in a phone interview that the council also is committed to careful deliberation and a thorough vetting process.

The council’s search for the new city manager is likely to draw greater scrutiny this fall, after well-publicized problems with Jankowski, the former city manager. Jankowski’s eight-month tenure was marked by conflict with the council and criticism over his communication skills and management style.

The council paid Jankowski a $43,000 severance package when he left in May, causing speculation over whether he was forced to resign.

Before coming to South Portland, Jankowski had served as assistant city manager and chief operating officer for Worcester, Mass. But he only held that post for seven months before quitting.

The South Portland City Council hired Jankowski a few months later. Some observers questioned that decision after Jankowski also left the South Portland job.

Hughes said that it is essential for the council to build consensus this time around before choosing the next city manager.

“It’s critical that we work together to make a good decision and not try to override one another,” Hughes said. “This needs to be a decision that everyone feels comfortable with, and not something that divides us.”