Councillor's Assistant

Application Close: 03/09/2024

Councillor’s Assistant

Full‑time temporary contract (maternity leave) starting September 23rd, 2024 (lasting for approximately 1 year).

Salary: $60,000–$70,000 (depending on experience)

Work Hours:

35 hours per week. Affiliation:
Non Union/Non MPE (but covered by CUPE 503 benefits).

Location:

City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West (with some WFH permitted).

Job Summary
Under the general direction of the City Councillor, the Councillor’s Assistant will support the councillor in his role as chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee. The Councillor’s Assistant will be responsible for both policy and constituency work related to parks, solid waste planning, climate adaptation and mitigation, ecology, water management and wildlife.

Description of Responsibilities

Provide communications support to the Councillor, including serving as a point of contact on behalf of the Councillor with the public and constituents; providing general information on initiatives and issues within the councillor’s constituency and the City at large; coordinating meetings for the Councillor; drafting, updating the Councillor’s web page and social media accounts for review and approval.

Receive or oversee the receipt of queries, concerns, complaints and problems from constituents and the public and ensure resolution personally or through delegation to another member of the Councillor’s staff or to appropriate City staff; develop and manage systems and procedures consistent with responding to constituency work; aid the Councillor with the resolution of issues requiring his/her attention.

Monitor and maintain records on Committee recommendations and Council decisions regarding matters of interest to the councillor and their constituents; review and analyze agendas for Council, committees, task forces, agencies, boards and commissions; identify items that will affect the councillor and their constituents; recommend and initiate appropriate action.

Undertake research and analysis for the Councillor with respect to policy matters and departmental initiatives, including making recommendations to the Councillor on the content and appropriateness of reports prepared by City staff; researching initiatives; and assisting with policy formulation for recommendation to appropriate Council committees, task forces, boards and agencies.

Provide liaison services for the Councillor with the Mayor, other Members of Council and their staff, as well as the City Manager, general managers, directors, managers and other City staff with respect to corporate initiatives, operational issues, and issues affecting the Councillor and his/her constituents; liaise with other Councillors or other government officials, as required, for support on issues of importance.

Review correspondence of importance with the Councillor, advise on or determine the course of action if required, and organize replies for signature where appropriate.

Arrange and delegate the preparation of responses by appropriate staff, as required, and sign on the Councillor’s behalf as delegated by the Councillor.

Arrange public meetings, meetings with constituents and other community events, and accompany the Councillor as required; attend events in the Councillor’s absence and brief the Councillor on the outcome of meetings following the event.

Ensure the Councillor is prepared with the required briefing material for meetings of Council, committees and other meetings.

Education and Experience
Post‑secondary education. A minimum of 2 years experience in public policy is desirable, preferably at the municipal level. Experience providing support to an elected official is desirable. Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.

Language, Certificates, and Licenses

English oral, reading, and writing.

French oral, reading, and writing (desirable).

Knowledge

Effective communications vehicles such as newsletters, newspapers, and social media.

Mandate, structure, and protocol of Council and its committees.

Policies, protocols, and procedures required of a Councillor and the Councillor’s…