Job Description

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER

(Non-classified)

JOB CODE 06060

Effective Date:	12/92X

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to assist the City Manager in working with and reviewing the activities of several major departments toward the achievement of departmental objectives and the objectives of the City government as a whole. The incumbent serves under the most general direction of the City Manager and is subject to City policies. Duties include interpreting Council and Manager policies for departments and other interested parties, assisting the Manager in the direction of management staff, advising the City Manager on the determination of program needs, preparation and presentation of programs for Council consideration, and implementation of approved programs. The incumbent exercises considerable initiative and independent judgment within assigned areas of responsibility and work is subject to evaluation on the basis of results obtained.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides general assistance to City Manager;
• Interprets policies and provides staff direction on policy matters as delegated by the City Manager;
• Assists the City Manager in resolving problems and conflicts;
• Works with the City Manager, the Assistant City Manager and administrative officers, and employees of the City in planning, organizing, and implementing programs on matters affecting assigned areas of responsibility;
• Briefs the City Manager on matters of concern and presents program proposals for approval and submission to the City Council;
• Meets and corresponds with various citizen, professional, business, and other groups to answer questions and secure their help in carrying out various programs;
• Prepares informational items for Council packet;
• Meets with the Mayor and/or City Council, attends Council meetings, and makes reports concerning activities for which responsible;
• Reviews results of major studies and coordinates the preparation of reports and recommendations;
• Confers with officials of City, County, State, and Federal agencies regarding plans and priorities for existing and planned programs;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration and municipal government.
• Public administrative research methods, techniques, and methods of report presentation.
• City programs, problems, and resources available to resolve municipal problems.
• Municipal operations.
• Principles underlying the laws and regulations of the municipality.

Ability to:

• Analyze a variety of administrative, operational, fiscal, and social problems and make sound recommendations for solutions.
• Perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.
• Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public in face-to-face, one-on-one settings, in group settings, and using a telephone.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material in the English language.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Five years of progressively responsible experience in municipal management positions with authority for program direction and budget administration, or for coordination and supervision of such functions, and a master's degree in public or business administration, engineering, or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.