Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor

ABOUT US:

The City of Spruce Grove is a fast growing, dynamic city committed to building and maintaining a fiscally responsible community that serves our residents, attracts visitors, and promotes future growth.

Through the actions of the Values We Live By, accountability, communication, leadership, integrity, and respect are encouraged, while maintaining a work, play balance.

The City of Spruce Grove is committed to public service, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. We believe that by working together in a spirit of collaboration and respect, we can achieve great things.

We are an organization that cares, an organization that is committed to our city and committed to you.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor works in a multi-disciplinary environment where their solid knowledge and interest in government systems and background in public policy will be used to provide analysis and advice to senior management in support of Council's direction and advances the City of Spruce Grove’s strategic interest. You work collaboratively with City departments to identify issues and opportunities to advocate to other orders of government including regional and civic partners.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITES:

Research and Analysis

• Analyze relevant trends/data, gather information on the policies and actions of other governments, and perform ongoing environmental scanning on issues and trends with an intergovernmental dimension.
• Conceptualize, research, and execute complex, confidential, and/or sensitive assignments regarding issues of a highly corporate and political nature.

Communication

• Recommend strategic communications tactics and approaches that support regional policy work and associated educational and influence campaigns.
• Develop background briefing notes for Council, the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) and Corporate Leadership Team.
• Communicate and foster an understanding of intergovernmental and inter-municipal issues and trends.

(including major policy changes and milestones) across the organization.

Advocacy and Coordination

• Coordinate corporate submissions of an intergovernmental nature through liaising and collaborating with subject matter experts at all levels of the organization.
• Creating cohesive submissions that balance perspectives from various business areas while aligning with corporate positions and council priorities.
• Provide organizational support, leadership and focus for intergovernmental and external relations issues and opportunities.
• Participate on committees, working groups, and other related forums mandated to address intergovernmental, regional, inter-municipal and key community/institutional partners priorities and issues.
• Maintain an awareness of the political and economic climate driving decisions and effectively support integration into organizational planning activities including Council's strategic plan, the corporate and fiscal plan and departmental business plans.
• Drive engagement activities with various parties to maintain an understanding of changing business needs.
• Work with the City Clerk's Office as the Administrative Liaison for the Youth Advisory Committee, including overseeing member recruitment, on-boarding, developing a yearly work plan, coordinating content for committee meetings, organizing presentations to Council, and ensuring the committee meets Council expectations as set out in the governing bylaw.

Relationship Development and Support

• Coordinate and facilitate relationships and partnerships with other orders of government, municipalities and municipal organizations, and key external stakeholders.
• Support efforts to address intergovernmental, regional, inter-municipal and other external client priorities and issues.
• Support senior management and elected officials who sit on various intergovernmental organizations including the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB), Alberta Municipalities, Mid-sized Cities Mayors Caucus (MCMC), as well as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) through preparation of administrative briefings prior to meetings and supporting senior management and elected officials on-site at various meetings and conferences.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

We are seeking a candidate with the following:

• Undergraduate Degree in Political Sciences, Economics, Sociology, Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Arts, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in a strategic and policy driven environment within the municipal, provincial, or federal orders of government, including experience working with elected officials.
• Exercise superior writing skills to draft Council and other general reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with all levels within the organization and externally.
• Proven ability to learn and adapt quickly, in diverse areas such as political analysis, communications and project management.
• Ability to effectively transfer ideas, concepts, and information into effective and efficient strategies.
• Ability to develop, implement and evaluate innovative plans.
• Ability to analyze and interpret administrative procedures, regulations, legal documents, and legislation.

COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Thinking & Acting Strategically - sees beyond current situation, understands impact, creates alignment, links priorities to strategy, advises.
• Building Influential Working Relationships - able to effectively build relationships with a wide range of partners internally and externally to the organization.
• Fostering Innovation & Steering Change – able to identify issues, stimulates creativity, remains on the leading edge, and is agile in change management.
• Politically Astute – knows and understands legislative and regulatory processes and has an intuitive ability to read the political implications of recommendations and actions; prepared to guide and mentor City leadership with solid and informed recommendations.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Driver’s License – must obtain a satisfactory review of a three-year Driver’s Abstract
• Criminal Record Check Clearance

OUR COMMITTEMENT:

At the City of Spruce Grove, our services center around people. We are not all the same and that is our strength. Our organization is fostering a culture of inclusion. Through curiosity and a commitment to listening, reflecting, and learning, we are striving to enhance our practices. Honouring our differences means we can better serve and build a welcoming, supportive, and safe community. If any employee wishes to discuss our commitment, or how we may accommodate or improve on our commitment they are to bring it to the attention of their supervisor or human resources.

WHAT WE OFFER:

- Competitive annual salary
- Pension
- Medical & Dental Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Wellness Initiatives
- Work/Life Balance
- Recognized General Holidays
- Leave Options
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- Perks
- Positive Work Atmosphere
- Employee Awards
- Volunteer and Fundraising Opportunities
- Professional Development