Community Relations & Policy Advisor
Job Title: Community Relations & Policy Advisor
Department: Mayor’s Office
Reports To: Chief of Staff
Open Date: May 31, 2022
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Hiring Salary: $4,192.69 - $5,355.63 per month, DOE
Salary Range: $4,192.69 - $6,287.13 per month, DOE
Job Summary: This position serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. The primary responsibility of this position is to serve as a liaison between various community groups, organizations, businesses and interests, and the City. The position also develops and advances policy and initiatives to increase the community’s well-being. This position also actively engages with stakeholders through development and implementation of communication messaging in coordination with the Communications Manager. This class of employee is afforded independence, and requires reporting of the activities to the direct supervisor and the Mayor. The work schedule includes a variety of before- or after-hours work.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Be the City’s primary contact for seeking feedback, answering questions, and being responsible for or coordinating any associated follow up and representative to (along with the Mayor or in the absence thereof) the: Homeowners Associations or Neighborhood Associations; Meridian Ministerial Association and faith organizations generally; Service and Non-profit Groups and Organizations; Schools and associated parent groups for West Ada & private schools; Other groups as directed. Form relationships and communication networks between the community and the City; Assist in exploring and/or forming Neighborhood Associations; Coordinate special projects and mitigating citizen issues as discussed and assigned by the Mayor, or Chief of Staff; Develop and implement communications solutions with oversight from the Communications Manager to promote and enhance community relations with the City; Develop action plans to advance policy initiatives in Meridian as directed by the Mayor’s Office; Prepares reports, monitors and engages stakeholders as directed on policy issues that may impact the City and the community; Monitors and advocates for policy change at the state level as directed to benefit the City and the community; 2 Conducts research, prepares and presents reports and implements action plans for special projects as directed; Prepare correspondence for notable achievements by citizens or businesses within the community; Assist in the planning and execution of community events and forums; Prepares reports, applications, and nominations for community awards; Utilize social media platforms to maintain a City presence in community issues; Work with various City Departments to gather details and information for appropriate follow up with various responsibilities listed above; Performs other duties as assigned or needed. Job Specifications: College education with an Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree is preferred; Focus on public administration, political science or communications is preferred; Must have knowledge of the principles and practices of administrative support, research methods and techniques, office practices and procedures, practices of record keeping and office software including word processing, database, and spreadsheets; social media and content creation; Must have strong customer service skills, be able to manage multiple tasks and projects, plus have a strong attention to detail.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Ability to perform a variety of clerical and administrative work requiring exercise of independent judgment and excellent organizational skills; Must have strong professional writing skills for writing reports, minutes, presentations and other communications; Ability to communicate, meet and deal with the public and co-workers with respect in a pleasant, professional, and courteous manner; Ability to use Microsoft Office suite, and learn new computer programs and use of communication systems; Ability to establish effective working relationships; Ability to deal effectively and calmly with the public; Ability to work with several interruptions; Ability to Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public in a faceto-face, one-on-one setting or by telephone; 3 Ability to create and maintain a database tool of City Home Owners and Neighborhood Associations; Integrity, in the performance of assigned tasks; Assembles and organize information for meetings, data for the budget, reports and presentations; Develops and maintains databases and spreadsheets; Produces written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, spelling, punctuation, and grammar; Proof reads office correspondence as needed; Works cooperatively with others; Ability to plan meetings and events and coordinate travel; Ability to understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies; Ability to work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies; Ability to compose and effectively proof-read correspondence and other documents; Knowledge of video camera and photography equipment; Must be able to work in a flexible and team environment.
Licensing: Must hold a valid driver’s license and safe driving record. Work Environment and Physical Demands: Work is performed frequently in an office environment with moderate noise level. The employee in this class is frequently subject to inside and outside environmental conditions; May occasionally require driving a motor vehicle in order to attend meetings and providing on-scene assistance when necessary; Requires ability to read printed materials and comprehend hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; May require repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers consistent with an office environment; Constantly requires mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment to accomplish tasks.
Travel Requirements: Local travel is occasionally required.