DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office
DIVISION: City Manager’s Office
POSITION TITLE: Chief Legislative Policy Advisor
PAY GRADE/RANGE: 14: $121,694.40 – $182,542.17
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
OPENING DATE:
CLOSING DATE:
*Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for range.
NATURE OF WORK:
Under the direction of the City Manager, the Legislative Policy Advisor is responsible for the supervision of the City’s Policy staff and functions. Manages research on key policy areas assigned by the Mayor or City Council; Designs approaches to policy formation, approval and adoption. Responsible for providing professional assistance to the City Council with long-and-short-range planning, research and analysis in the areas of policy development and fiscal oversight. Provides independent judgment in analyzing complex or unique problems, issues and situations; develops and justifies recommendations and findings. Writes ordinances and resolutions and takes them through all aspects of the legislative process. Conducts fiscal analysis of programs and supports Council in its consideration of the City budget. Includes evaluation of proposed actions based on the City Code, multi-jurisdictional relationships, State legislation and federal laws. A high level of discretion and sensitivity is required in performing the work. Working in close collaboration and alignment with the Law Department, serves as the primary point of contact to the Mayor’s Office and the City Council. May assist with the coordination of service delivery requests and other special projects with the Mayor’s Office.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):
- Researches, designs and processes for approval key internal and external policies that reflect the Council’s priorities and strategic thinking. Networks with all sectors in defining best practices, community needs and collaborative policy solutions. Identifies, researches, organizes, and synthesizes both qualitative and quantitative information for City Council on assigned programs and issues. Sources may be City, County, State and federal law, as well as existing programs from other jurisdictions. Evaluates possible long-and-short range effects on policy; financial and budgetary ramifications; and relative risks of potential legislation. Decision-analysis reports to Council will include options, impacts and pros and cons of each option. Considers City department needs and contributions toward policy formation. Identifies other content experts for input and troubleshoots conflicted perspectives in designing policy issues. Reports issues and progress and confers with elected officials and staff regarding policies. Alerts City Council and Executive Leadership to emerging issues or collateral impacts of new policies and assists with response planning.
- Drafts innovative ordinances and regulations related to a diversity of topics, such as critical areas, environment and sustainability; resource land retention; transportation planning; urban growth issues and other policy areas as assigned. Manages ordinances or resolutions through the legislative process, including: scheduling of items; research, analysis, writing, and design of materials needed to inform a decision; presentation before Council, legislative and advisory bodies, and community groups; revision of ordinances in response to Council direction, etc.
- Provides strategic advice on complex subject-specific matters involving strategic direction, policy and operational issues. Researches new ideas and/or legislative proposals. Conducts fiscal analysis of policies or programs and develops program or policy specifications. Provides analytical support to the Council in its annual consideration of the City Budget.
- Identifies legal questions and works collaboratively with legal counsel to incorporate legal advice and opinions into policy analysis and recommendations to Council.
- Supervises Policy Division staff.
- Works with the Mayor and City Council to formulate and prioritize policy goals.
- Organizes stakeholder processes with community partners on key issues.
- Completes special projects on behalf of the City Manager’s Office, City Council, and the Mayor.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
- Must possess a bachelor’s degree in public administration, Business Administration, or a substantially similar area from an accredited college or university. Possession of a juris doctor (JD) degree is preferred.
- Must possess seven (7) years or more of professional-level experience in public policy work, including two (2) years of experience with community group processes, negotiated collaborative projects and processes, including working with complex, sensitive issues and developing collaborative, creative solutions to problems progressively responsible experience in policymaking, advocacy, or community organizing. Previous government work experience is preferred.
- Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:
o Strong written communication skills including the ability to interpret legislation at all government levels.
o Strong verbal communication skills.
o Articulate the City’s goals in an understandable and appropriate manner for the particular audience or individual.
o Learn, interpret, evaluate and apply a variety of complex written materials including laws, rules, regulations, reference materials, technical reports and legal documents; interpret administrative directives and use initiative and sound judgment in applying same to the work situation.
o Significant experience working with multiple stakeholders with divergent interests to drive toward a single common goal.
o Work effectively in a multi-task environment; take appropriate initiative; develop ways to improve and promote efficient work methods.
o Experience with successful partnerships between government bodies and non-profit organizations.
o Strong analytical skills necessary to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
o Plan and organize work independently without immediate supervision; must exercise good judgment to determine when independent action is appropriate and when to refer situations to a higher authority.
o Thorough knowledge of basic office computer hardware and software, including Google Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.
o Ability to prepare work assignments, research issues, write summaries, letters and memorandum and reports using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style.
o Ability to manage and efficiently deliver multiple and often complex projects, as well as, be creative, analytically and technically competent in government services.
o Ability to be customer service oriented, and a team player, as well as the capability to work effectively with a diverse group of employees, citizens and stakeholder groups.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
Ability to work primarily in a sedentary position, occasionally using force to lift, carry or otherwise move objects normally found in an office setting.
The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions, although occasionally may be required to visit field worksites to observe job performance, respond to and/or investigate situations.
The employee must be able to respond to situations developing in the organization, some of which may be emergencies, requiring immediate attention, and allocation of resources. Situations may require ability to deal with emotional, non-rational or psychological situations.
SUPERVISION:
General supervision is provided by the City Manager with frequent communication and input from the Mayor and City Council; the employee is expected to assist in the planning, management, and implementation of programs, policies and measures necessary to achieve a coordinated approach to achieve the City’s goals and objectives. The employee works closely the Law department to alignment and agreement on legal opinion. Employee works with management on issues ranging from daily operational activities to major projects. Employee is expected to represent leadership within the organization, to create a problem-solving environment in which to engage both the immediate and long-range goals of the organization. Guidance is provided via the City Code, City policies and procedures, department directors and other City staff, and applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Performance is reviewed through observation, completion of projects, status reports, conferences and meetings. Work is evaluated at least annually with respect to leadership, management skills, communication skills, customer service, ability to work productively and effectively with employees at all levels in the organization as well as the City Council, community, business and other similar groups, and the general public, and performance in accordance with this classification standard.
PUBLIC CONTACT:
The employee has regular and consistent contact with citizens, service providers, community and other similar groups, as well as the City Council, committees, boards and commissions. Presentations to a variety of groups throughout the community and City organization are developed and delivered regularly by the employee. The employee will also have daily contact with City employees. Excellent verbal, written and presentation and interpersonal skills are required, including the ability to deal occasionally with adversarial situations.
SELECTION METHOD
Structured Oral Interview
Qualifications assessment
TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST
LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST
To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date. Only online applications will be considered.
Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position. Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.
The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact Human Resources at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-866-5095 (TTY).
