Legislative Liaison

Responsibilities include communication and coordination with key external partners such as the City Council, the State Delegation, the Federal Delegation, the Governor’s Office, executive offices in other municipalities, and the School Department as well as other public entities. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Serves as liaison to the City Council, the State Delegation, the Federal Delegation, the Governor’s Administration, other municipalities, and the School Department; works closely with Intergovernmental Affairs Director to respond to requests and effectively collaborate with key external partners.
• Builds information links so that data flows efficiently between the Mayor, Departments, City Council, and the public.
• Collaborates with the Mayor, City Council, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, and other Departments as necessary, to develop policy recommendations.
• Works with the City Council to find answers and identify solutions to questions and concerns raised by residents.
• Participates in citywide budget planning and review in preparation for Council presentations; responds to related Council inquiries.
• Tracks local, state, and federal legislation of importance to the City of Somerville; collaborates with relevant Departments to advocate and write testimony of behalf of the City.
• Serves as project manager on specific initiatives.
• Represents the Administration at City Council meetings and public meetings as needed.
• Lead project manager for interdepartmental City initiatives that require passage by the board (such as short-term rental program, condo conversion, water sewer rates, eminent domain).
• Draft policy that ties items related to legislative matters.
• Listens to the interests of Administration and City Council in order to then create feasible solutions.
• Provides input on a variety of items such as ordinance language and policy wording.
• Advise City staff on how to best prepare and present information to relevant stakeholders.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in public policy, public administration, business, finance, and three (3) years’ relevant experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Working knowledge of municipal operations. Working knowledge in handling and analysis of administrative data practices and techniques; working knowledge of office software including word processing, access and spread sheet applications. Knowledge of accounting and finance analysis techniques to interpret and manipulate departmental financial information and to assist with the design and development of the program/performance based budget.

Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with department personnel conflicts regarding strategy, policy and operations; ability to work independently in an efficient manner; ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form; ability to establish and maintain complex record keeping and accounting systems; ability to manage multiple tasks in an efficient manner; ability to carry out assignments to completion in an efficient and accurate manner.

Ability to develop excellent facilitation and public speaking skills.

Skill: Skill in operating personal computers and applicable word processing and spread sheet applications; excellent interpersonal skills; time management skills, self-motivational skills and organizational skills are very important. Excellent written and public speaking communication skills.

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or…