City Clerk

Location: Central Foothills (Sundre)

The Organization
Phelps Group, a national leader in executive search, is proud to represent the City of Red Deer on their search for their next Municipal City Clerk.

The Opportunity

Title:

City Clerk

Reports To:

Executive Advisor, Enterprise Strategy, Governance and Alignment

Direct Reports: 9 team members, including the Deputy City Clerk and Advisor/Coordinator teams

Location:

Red Deer, Alberta

Work Style:
In-office

Travel Requirements:
Very limited to none

Relocation Assistance:
Available for the right candidate

Mandate
The City Clerk is a senior statutory officer responsible for stewarding the City’s legislative framework, supporting democratic decision-making, and ensuring the integrity, transparency, and effectiveness of Council and committee processes. The role provides professional leadership to the Legislative Services section, fostering technical excellence, consistent legislative practices, and a respectful and positive work environment. Working within a complex political environment, the City Clerk provides objective, neutral, and non-partisan governance and procedural advice to City Council, the City Manager, Administration, and the public.

Key Accountabilities
LEGISLATIVE-CORPORATE MEETINGS

The City Clerk is responsible for Corporate Meeting processes including meetings of Council and Council Committees.

Ensures The City’s responsibilities under the Municipal Government Act and Procedure Bylaw related to Council and Committee Meetings are reviewed, adhered to and documented.

Attends all Council meetings and records the proceedings and Council decisions to serve as permanent records.

Maintains Council’s bylaws, minutes and bylaw registry in compliance with legislation

Serves as the City’s Parliamentarian providing expert procedural advice to Council, Committees and Administration that accurately interprets legislation, Roberts Rules of Order, best practices and customs

Leads the Council Agenda Review Committee and prepares Council agendas in conjunction with the Mayor and City Manager.

In consultation with City Solicitor, interprets legislation, bylaws and policies in relation to issues that affect The City.

Interprets Robert’s Rules of Order and how it applies to Council, Council committees.

QUASI-JUDICIAL TRIBUNALS

Serves as the Clerk of the Subdivision Development Appeal Board and the Clerk of the Assessment Review Board;

Ensures officers supporting The City’s quasi-judicial tribunals are fully qualified through regular training and education;

Ensures the legislative requirements of the Tribunal Boards and related bylaws are reviewed, adhered to and documented.

Obtains independent legal advice when requested by the Boards;

Recommend to the City Manager and Council changes to committees including formation and disbanding

ELECTIONS & CENSUS

Serves as the Returning Officer for Elections and By-Elections, and as Chief Enumerator for Census

Acts as the independent Returning Officer for the conduct of the legislated municipal/school election processes.

Performs all legislative duties to deliver elections, by-elections, referendums and plebiscites for The City of Red Deer and its elections partners.

Leads a team of staff responsible for the delivery of election and/or census events

Serves as the primary media contact related to elections and census

Makes recommendations to City Council regarding changes to bylaws or legislation related to elections.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES INCLUDING CORPORATE, LEADERSHIP & HEALTH & SAFETY FUNCTIONS

Serves as a Corporate Signing authority, Commissioner for Oaths and presides over the corporate seal

Ensures appropriate legislative records management, including overseeing the adoption, amendment and consolidation processes for bylaws and review and approval of all process handbooks related to the Legislative Services department.

Responsible for the storage, safeguarding and inventory or corporate records and city contracts

Hires, trains, supervises, disciplines, reviews and evaluates the work of staff within the legislative services section.

Focuses on effective team building, conflict resolution, reaching consensus for best results while mentoring and coaching employees.

Guides staff and…