City Clerk

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.

• 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

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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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…