Council Assistant (Part-Time, Unbenefited) – Council District 4 Office

City of San Jose; San Jose (CA); Presencial; USD 34 000 - 48 000; Tempo parcial

Resumo da oferta

The City of San José seeks a part‑time Council Assistant for District 4 to support policy analysis, communications, event planning, and community outreach. The role requires strong writing, excellent organizational skills, detail orientation, and the ability to manage multiple assignments while coordinating with staff and neighborhood groups.

Responsibilities include producing a weekly newsletter, social media posts, talking points and speeches, representing the Councilmember at events, and

Qualificações

• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills are essential.
• Experience with policy research and constituent communications is preferred.

Responsabilidades

• Weekly Newsletter: Produce and distribute a weekly newsletter highlighting the Councilmember's activities, priorities, and district updates.
• Social Media Management: Draft, schedule, and publish engaging social media content across official platforms.
• Talking Points & Speeches: Prepare talking points, speeches, articles, and briefing materials for public appearances and events.
• Event Attendance & Representation: Accompany or represent the Councilmember at community events, neighborhood meetings, and official functions.
• Photography & Video: Capture photos and videos for newsletters, social media, and other communications.
• Content Development: Draft press releases, public statements, correspondence, memoranda, and constituent updates reflecting the Councilmember's priorities.
• Community Outreach: Promote district initiatives, coordinate community events, and respond to constituent inquiries.
• Website Management: Maintain and update the Councilmember's website with news, events, and resources.
• Communications Planning: Maintain a communications calendar to ensure timely, consistent messaging and public engagement.
• Policy Research & Media Monitoring: Research City Council issues, analyze policy materials, and monitor local news to support communications.
• Team Coordination: Work with office staff, stakeholders, interns, and volunteers to advance the Councilmember's communications priorities.

Conhecimentos

Strong writing

Editing

Public speaking

Communication

Social media management

Content development

Event planning

Research

Formação académica

BA/BS in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, or related field

Ferramentas

Canva

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Outlook

Descrição da oferta de emprego

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration.

The San José City Council consists of ten Councilmembers elected by district and a Mayor elected at‑large, each for four‑year terms. The Mayor and Council are responsible for representing the residents of San José, providing accountability, reviewing public policy and programs, and adopting those policies which best meet the needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses in San José

The Council District 4 Office is recruiting for one (1) part‑time, unbenefited Council Assistant to support the Office of Councilmember David Cohen. The Council Assistant position serves as a liaison to the elected official and will regularly represent the Council District office at City‑related meetings and functions. The position provides support with policy analysis, research, communication, event planning, community outreach, and other related matters as needed. The position requires an employee with strong and effective organizational skills; detail oriented and ability to handle multiple assignments; excellent written and oral communications skills, and the ability to develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with community members and neighborhood organizations, key stakeholders, and City staff. It would be highly desirable for the successful candidate to have experience and knowledge of policy, communications as well as event planning.

Responsibilities for the position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Weekly Newsletter: Produce and distribute a weekly newsletter highlighting the Councilmember's activities, priorities, and district updates.
• Social Media Management: Draft, schedule, and publish engaging social media content across official platforms.
• Talking Points & Speeches: Prepare talking points, speeches, articles, and briefing materials for public appearances and events.
• Event Attendance & Representation: Accompany or represent the Councilmember at community events, neighborhood meetings, and official functions.
• Photography & Video: Capture photos and videos for newsletters, social media, and other communications.
• Content Development: Draft press releases, public statements, correspondence, memoranda, and constituent updates reflecting the Councilmember's priorities.
• Community Outreach: Promote district initiatives, coordinate community events, and respond to constituent inquiries.
• Website Management: Maintain and update the Councilmember's website with news, events, and resources.
• Communications Planning: Maintain a communications calendar to ensure timely, consistent messaging and public engagement.
• Policy Research & Media Monitoring: Research City Council issues, analyze policy materials, and monitor local news to support communications.
• Team Coordination: Work with office staff, stakeholders, interns, and volunteers to advance the Councilmember's communications priorities.

Highly desirable skills for the position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Strong writing, editing, public speaking, and communication skills.
• Experience managing social media and creating digital content.
• Basic photography, video editing, and graphic design skills.
• Familiarity with Canva, email marketing platforms, and website management.
• Strong organizational, research, and project management skills.
• Understanding of local government, public policy, and community engagement.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend events.
• Professionalism, discretion, and ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment.

Employees in this classification are not members of the classified civil service and appointment would be on a contract “at‑will” basis and is for a specified period to be determined by the appointing elected official and does not extend past the end of the elected official's term. Candidates must be willing to work a flexible schedule as needed, including frequent evenings and weekends and as exempt management employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation. This unclassified position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income and business positions.

Any combination of training and experience equivalent that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise the Councilmember on matters of public policy, democratic processes, constituent service, or citizen involvement.

Competencies:

The ideal candidate will possess the most desirable combination of training, skills, and experience, which will allow them to serve as a member of the City Council District 4 Team, including:

• BA/BS in Political Science, Public Policy, Publicor Business Administration, Communications, or related field is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Public Administration; management, and administrative methods; budgeting, land use, housing, transportation, public relations, customer/constituent relations, etc.
• Ability to plan and manage special events, including the ability to coordinate with multiple event stakeholders and manage multiple event planning tasks at the same time to ensure that deadlines are met.
• Proficiency in the use of software applications such as Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, Outlook, or equivalent.
• Ability to effectively plan workflow and manage multiple projects to deliver quality products in a timely manner evidenced by strong organizational, administration, and management skills.
• Ability to express themselves clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing (email, letters, report writing and editing).
• Skill in research techniques and applications; collecting, compiling, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Strong work ethic, professionalism, flexibility.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others and facilitate groups to achieve common objectives; understand and identify key issues and make recommendations in complex situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others and to provide excellent service to internal and external customers, stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Ability to present yourself in a professional and effective manner.
• Ability to work in a team environment and work as an effective team contributor.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently, prioritize work, and independently manage multiple, diverse, and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application, resume, cover letter and answers to the job‑specific questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional steps of the selection process may consist of one or more interviews.