Councillor's Assistant

JOB SUMMARY

The Councillor's Assistant is accountable for managing and delivering a wide range of strategic, political, constituency, and operational services and processes in support of the Councillor which may include: strategic management of issues, policy analysis and development, internal and external political relations, project management, media relations, organizing community events/public meetings, collaborating with community agencies on policy issues and events, managing the resources of the Councillor’s Office and serving as a spokesperson/representative for the Councillor in dealings with taxpayers and constituents.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES (Vary dependent on Councillor/Ward)

• May receive and respond to telephone calls, emails, and letters from constituents, City staff, City Council members, and other elected officials from all levels of government.  Constituents and other individuals may also visit the Councillor’s office in person to place an inquiry.
• May process correspondence addressed to the City Councillor by regularly reviewing emails, letters, and other correspondence from constituents and other sources. Providing prompt, relevant, and informed responses about the City’s policies and programs, or City Council and Committee agendas. 
• May provide general administrative support services to the Councillor.
• May oversee and coordinate the constituency work of assistants and volunteers to the Councillor.
• May prepare Council and Committee agendas for the Councillor in his or her role as Council member or Committee member or chair.
• May provide general administrative support services to the Councillor, while ensuring compliance with all protocols and procedures required of an elected official, maintaining, and preparing financial records, managing budgets as well as reviewing financial transactions against the Council Expense Policy. 
• May partner with community stakeholders to address issues in the community, organize community events, and assist with various community initiatives.
• May be responsible for coordinating and attending events throughout the community to engage with constituents and promote City services and programs.
• May be responsible for developing the Councillor’s strategic and promotional communications, through newsletters, emails, letters, press releases, and social media accounts.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Post-Secondary School Diploma.

2-year college diploma in Business or Office Administration, Public Administration, Journalism, Communications, English or related program
University degree is considered an asset.

A minimum of 3 years’ experience in providing administrative services is required, preferably to the senior executive level, and including the provision of communication services. Experience providing support to an elected official is desirable.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

A valid Ontario unrestricted “G” class driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) with no more than 6 demerit points accumulated (as required by the Elected Official).

KNOWLEDGE

• Mandate, structure, and protocol of Council and its committees
• Event planning and organization
• Media and communication techniques and practices
• Effective communication vehicles such as newsletters, newspapers, and social media
• Budget planning and control
• The demographics of the Councillor’s ward and current initiatives and issues within the ward
• Policy initiatives and issues in committees chaired by the Councillor or on which the Councillor is a member
• The City corporation sufficient to obtain information in response to inquiries from constituents, and to obtain policy information and documentation in drafting committee agendas
• Knowledge of City administrative structure
• Knowledge of City services and policies 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Office protocols, systems and procedures

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Respond effectively and accurately to media questions and information requests 
• Convey policy positions on complex and controversial issues
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people via verbal presentations, written information, promotional material and reports, orally and in writing, often under circumstances where the other party may be in a highly emotional state
• Demonstrated initiative, requiring general direction only
• Ability to handle difficult situations 
• Attention to detail
• Ability to effectively work independently and within a team