Chief of Staff for Councilmember Carroll

Under general policy direction, the Chief of Staff plans, organizes, manages, and directs the day-to-day operations, constituent services, outreach, and policy-making activities of the Councilmember’s office; provides expert professional assistance and support to the Councilmember on a wide range of complex, sensitive, and confidential topics; researches, analyzes, and provides recommendations regarding important and wide-ranging policy areas; serves as a liaison to City Departments, City Commissions, City Committees, and the public; and performs related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate

• Responsibilities are broad in scope and require a high degree of political acumen, administrative expertise, and discretion.
• The Chief of Staff is expected to carry out responsibilities independently and with awareness of City Council, City Department, City Commission, City Committee, and resident issues and sensitivities.
• The Chief of Staff will be asked to perform duties and responsibilities involving a wide range of complexity, authority, impact, visibility, and independence.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises full-time, part-time, temporary employees, and interns, including maintenance of weekly work schedule of all office personnel; responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; conducting weekly staff meetings; evaluating performances; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.
• Represents the Councilmember in the community and with City Commissioners, Committee Members, Subcommittee Members, Task Force Members, Regional Board Members, and high-level policy matters and with elected officials at County, State, and federal levels, as well as business and community leaders.
• Corresponds in a professional manner with City Staff and officials, community groups, neighborhood groups, homeowner associations, and residents on behalf of the Councilmember; facilitates meetings, mediates disputes, and participates in problem solving as necessary; responds to inquiries from residents and stakeholders.
• Sets and oversees the administration of office goals, policies and procedures and maintains Councilmember Office organizational binder.
• Works with City Manager/Department staff on long-term legislative and community plans of the Councilmember and maintains public comment database.
• Serves at the direction of the Councilmember as the principal substitute when appropriate for the Councilmember at official speaking and other engagements, and at key constituent and legislative meetings.
• Maintains a good working relationship with the Councilmember, other Councilmembers, City staff, and constituents.
• Oversees the office budget and provides monthly budget report to Councilmember.
• Meets attendance requirements as established by the office and works a flexible schedule including long hours, nights and weekends, including at City Council meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Councilmember.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of city laws, rules and regulations, and state laws pertaining to municipal operations.
• Strong written and oral communications skills to effectively communicate with the media and members of the public through a variety of letters, memoranda and reports; prepares agendas and meeting summaries of City Council, Great Park, Commissions, Committees, and Task Force meetings.
• Ability to obtain information from and convey information to the public.
• Ability to lead in the development of public policy and the communication and implementation of the goals, strategies, and objectives of an elected Councilmember.
• Ability to develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals, neighborhood, business, and community organizations, as well as City Staff, members of Council, Commissions, Committees, and other constituencies.
• Ability to provide administrative support to an elected official including scheduling and coordinating appointments, meetings, and events.
• Working proficiency with computer programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google equivalents.
• Ability to work independently and well under pressure and handle stress.
• Ability to plan, manage, and evaluate office procedures, records and systems including lists, binders, and tracking spreadsheets.
• Ability to exercise judgment in developing, analyzing, and evaluating programs and proposals and to make recommendations regarding policy options involving complex matters.
• Ability to manage and take overall responsibility for programs, activities, and projects within the scope and authority of the Councilmember.
• Ability to draft routine to complex correspondence, memoranda, and talking points which articulate the Councilmember’s proposals and position on matters before the City Council and other governmental bodies.
• Ability to draft reports, memoranda, and other documents for review by Councilmember.
• Ability to serve as a Staff lead in community engagement efforts with district or City-wide neighborhood, business or community groups or associations and other interested parties.
• Ability to produce and supervise communication functions including media releases and media relations; the use of social media sources and web site development and management.
• Ability to work professionally, cooperatively, and courteously with others including the public and temperament to communicate with a variety of personalities and at all times maintain professionalism and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a small work station without an expectation of privacy and ability to acknowledge issues that may arise with performance and absorb constructive criticism.
• Thorough knowledge of the City legislative process and Code of Conduct/Ethics rules, California FPPC rules and regulations, and the history and uniqueness of Irvine.

Education/Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science or a related field.
Five years of related experience in government or a legislative office with management experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.

Working Conditions
Work is mainly performed in an office environment.
Noise levels are usually moderate.
Work is often fast paced, high energy, and creates fluid situation requiring adaptability and strategic thinking.

Your Team
Irvine is recognized as one of America’s Best Places to Live, according to Money Magazine. The City of Irvine features an array of entertainment and recreational opportunities including exceptional parks, open space preservations, sport complexes, and master-planned communities.

The Process
The selection process will include an examination and conduct a background investigation prior to appointment. This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.