Chief of Staff

NATURE OF WORK The fundamental reason this position exists is to serve as the principal representative of the Mayors office, ensuring all aspects of city governance are coordinated effectively and efficiently. This position performs high-level duties in overseeing city staff, directing the implementation of new programs and policies, managing projects and broad administrative functions, and overseeing City Council relations and personnel issues. The work responsibilities include conducting departmental staff oversight, performing administrative duties, supervising and managing others, managing special events and assignments, and conducting budget and finance duties. Serves as a key member of the Mayor's staff and is responsible for the central coordination of activities (staffing and planning) and ensuring the timely flow of information to and from the Mayor's Office. The Chief of Staff acts in an advisory capacity on all administrative matters pertaining to the area of assignment and serves as a liaison between the Mayors office and other agencies of city government, outside governmental agencies, and the community. Work is performed with considerable independence of judgment and decision-making. This position reports directly to the Mayor. WORK RESPONSIBILITIES The following list of work responsibilities was developed through a job analysis; however, it is not exhaustive, and other duties may be required and assigned. Communicates with and assists the Mayor in the strategic planning process for city policy in order to ensure programs, goals, and strategies are met and meet the needs of the business community and other external community sources; ensures proper city policies, programs, goals, and strategies are being met through the executive-level department that reports to the Mayor. Coordinates, develops, and implements policies, procedures, and initiatives with the Mayor, city attorney, and CFO through the budget execution in order to establish organizational strategy and policy within legislative and executive limits. Conducts oversight of city departments through interaction with department heads, city council members, and other governmental entities, following the Mayors directives in order to assist the Mayor in ensuring city staff, services, and programs are functioning efficiently and effectively, prepare strategies to meet city goals, and ensure departments remain up to date on policies. Researches and analyzes data, agency issues, current practices and trends, and department staffing in order to identify effective solutions, evaluate staff functioning, identify the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts, and to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy changes. Performs coordination and administrative duties in order to assist the Mayor in city staffing matters, receive and handle complaints or request from the public and establishes and maintains effective working relationships with citizens, news media, volunteers, council members, department heads, and the media in order to assist the city council in its functions, manage lobbying efforts and to serve as the Mayors liaison to city departments staff and the business community. Establishes and develops viable relationships and partnerships with members of various community interest groups, neighborhood organizations, the media, the business community and other service and governmental agencies in order to foster a sense of cooperation and collaboration within the community, give speeches/presentations to civic groups and professional organizations concerning City services and programs, promote public understanding of the department's work, and establishes positive public relations. Performs supervisory/management duties at the professional and management level over approved city department staff in a city-wide administrative function following the Mayors directives in order to ensure consistent application of programs, services, policies, and procedures throughout city government, ensure effective performance of staff and employees and department operations, and provide direction to assigned senior leadership and professional staff. Manages (plans and executes) special assignments, projects, events, and programs as assigned by the Mayor in order to provide effective and efficient city services and programs to include prioritizing projects, establishing project plans and procedures, working with city council members to complete projects, monitoring progress, negotiating or approving contracts and agreements. Conducts budget and finance reviews, duties and oversight using financial data and information and departmental budgetary information following city finance laws to include reviewing budget reports, financial statements, and requests for proposal, administering the budget after approval, approving contracts for purchases for supplies, equipment, and services, planning, directing, and coordinating the fiscal management program, advising the City Council on financial conditions and future needs, reviewing the bidding process for major items, forecasting revenues; to maintain the financial integrity and service levels of various City Department