Mayor's Office Chief of Staff

Under general direction, this City Administration position performs a wide variety of advanced professional and complex duties involving policy development and analysis, governmental relations, public affairs and communications. The position exercises independent judgment in providing policy guidance and staff support to the Mayor and City Council; analyzes complex legislative and policy issues and recommends courses of action; develops strategies and leads assigned government affairs initiatives in coordination with City Administration and the City’s government affairs representatives; represents adopted City positions in regional, state, national and international forums as authorized; oversees assigned staff and administrative functions; and manages special projects and official activities
 
 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducts complex policy research and analysis, including review of legislation, regulations and governmental policies affecting the City; coordinates departmental input, evaluates fiscal, operational and community impacts, identifies emerging risks and opportunities, and recommends policy positions and response strategies.
• Manages assigned policy and government affairs initiatives; contributes to legislative and funding priorities, coordinates implementation with City departments and government affairs representatives, advances adopted City positions and evaluates results consistent with administrative direction.
• Leads assigned special projects, including the Mayors’ International Bicycle Ride; develops work plans, works collaboratively with City departments, partner organizations and other stakeholders, coordinates implementation, monitors progress, resolves issues within assigned authority and evaluates results.
• Develops and implements government outreach plans addressing public policy issues; maintains relationships with governmental agencies, municipal associations and community partners.
• Prepares policy memoranda, executive briefings, reports, presentations, position statements and official correspondence to support policy decisions and government affairs activities.
• Attends regional, state, national and international meetings with or on behalf of the Mayor and City Council as authorized; presents adopted City positions and coordinates follow-up actions.
• Oversees daily administrative and support functions of the Mayor and Council Office; establishes priorities consistent with City policies and administrative direction, and coordinates scheduling, meeting preparation, travel and official activities.
• Coordinates responses to citizen questions and complaints concerning governmental policies, procedures and services; refers matters to responsible departments and tracks resolution status.
• Coordinates public communications and media relations for the Mayor and City Council in collaboration with City communications staff and responsible departments; develops speeches, talking points and digital content, manages assigned official social media platforms, and coordinates interviews and public appearances.
• Supervises assigned staff; establishes priorities, assigns and reviews work, evaluates performance, supports staff development and resolves workload issues.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and highly sensitive City information; enforces compliance with the confidentiality standards of the Privacy Act of 1974, {U.S.C. § 552A}; performs other duties as required or assigned. 

 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines 
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Communications or a related field; AND five years of progressively responsible professional experience in policy analysis, government relations, legislative affairs or public administration, including experience researching complex issues, developing policy recommendations and advising elected officials or executive management; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Supervisory or project management experience is desirable. Master’s Degree in a related field is desirable. Bilingual speaking and writing skills in Spanish are highly preferred.

Knowledge of: 

• City organization, policies and procedures, including the respective roles of elected officials and City Administration.
• Principles and practices of public administration, policy research and analysis, and evaluation of fiscal, operational and community impacts.
• State and federal legislative, regulatory and budget processes and current issues affecting municipal government.
• Government affairs, intergovernmental relations, legislative advocacy and regional cooperation.
• Policy development, executive communications and techniques for presenting complex information to diverse audiences.
• Project management, program development and evaluation.
• Local community resources, regional organizations and binational relationships.
• Public affairs, media relations and development of public communications and digital content.
• Staff supervision, work planning and performance evaluation; and legal, ethical and professional standards, including confidentiality and public records requirements.

 
Skill in:

• Analyzing complex policy and legislative issues, evaluating alternatives and developing practical recommendations.
• Exercising initiative, discretion and independent judgment within established policies and assigned authority.
• Preparing policy analyses, executive briefings, speeches and official correspondence; presenting complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Developing and implementing government affairs strategies and effectively representing adopted City positions.
• Building cooperative relationships with elected officials, governmental agencies, community partners and City staff; facilitating agreement on shared priorities.
• Exercising political awareness, diplomacy and professional impartiality when addressing sensitive or controversial issues.
• Leading projects, coordinating work across departments and organizations, and managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Resolving constituent concerns and managing sensitive communications with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Supervising staff, setting clear expectations, evaluating performance and maintaining accountability for results.

 
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is typically performed in a standard office environment. May occasionally be required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects. Ability to work irregular hours, and attend night and weekend Mayoral activities and meetings, as needed.