Quick Links              --------------------- Airport/Sky Harbor City Jobs Departments A-Z Garbage/Recycling Mayor/City Council Online Services Public Meetings Public Safety What's New Mailing Lists Calendar

	Discover Phoenix	Residents	Businesses	City Government	Employment	Youth & Seniors	e-Services	Home

Job Description

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE CITY COUNCIL

JOB CODE 06150

Effective Date:	Rev. 12/07N

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to assist the City Council by performing complex administrative and research work. Duties include providing administrative assistance and research work for the City Council Office. Work involves gathering information in response to requests from City Council members as well as keeping the City Council, City Manager, and executive level staff advised on problems and sensitive issues. Under the general direction of the Executive Assistant to the City Council, the Special Assistant to the City Council acts as a liaison between the City Council and the City government system to meet constituency needs within the parameters of the City's policies and procedures. This position also provides functional supervision of Council Assistants and coordinates training for Council Assistants and interns. Performance is evaluated by the Executive Assistant to the City Council on the basis of results achieved.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts research in response to requests for information from the City Council Office;
• Directs and coordinates the administrative functions of the Council Office, ensuring that Council members are kept fully informed on all matters requiring attention;
• Formulates recommended courses of action based upon research and information at hand;
• Works directly with Council members on sensitive constituent issues and assists in problem solving;
• Prepares drafts of or accumulates material for speeches;
• Staffs Council subcommittees, task forces, and other boards and commissions;
• Works with City executives and Department Heads to research issues and resolve problems as requested by Council members;
• Facilitates cooperation and conflict resolution among the City Council members, City Manager, executives to each and Department Heads;
• Assists in finding ways to meet constituency needs while working within City policies and procedures;
• Provides functional supervision and prepares performance evaluations of Council Assistants;
• Assists Council Assistants with the development of goals and objectives for themselves and Council Aides;
• 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.
• Administrative research methods, techniques, and methods of report presentations.
• Municipal organization and functions of government.
• Laws and regulations of the City.
• City programs, problems, and resources available to resolve municipal problems.
• Principles of supervision.

Ability to:

• Conduct research and sound administrative analyses relating to policy and management problems.
• Perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.
• Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public in a face-to-face, one-to-one setting, in a group setting, or using a telephone.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts with proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

Additional Requirements:

• This position requires 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 does not have personal insurance coverage.
• This position will require the performance of other essential or marginal functions.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Five years of responsible experience in administration and research, including some supervision, and a master's degree in public or business administration, government management, or a related field.