Mayor's Office Chief of Staff

YUMA; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Arizona State Retirement System

Life Insurance

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Smoke-free work environment

Job summary

The City of Yuma seeks a senior policy professional to develop and analyze policies, coordinate government affairs, and manage communications in support of the Mayor and City Council.

Role involves planning outreach, representing city positions at various forums, supervising staff, and handling confidential information within a fast-paced government environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or related field with five years of policy analysis/government affairs experience.
• Experience advising elected officials or executive management on complex issues.
• Master’s degree is desirable.
• Bilingual Spanish skills are highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducts complex policy research and analysis, evaluating legislation and policy impacts.
• Manages policy and government affairs initiatives and coordinates with departments and partners.
• Leads special projects and government outreach plans addressing public policy issues.
• Prepares policy memoranda, executive briefings, and official correspondence to support decisions.

Skills

Policy analysis

Policy development

Government affairs

Public communications

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration

Master's degree desirable

Job description

Summary

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

Summary

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.

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.

The City of Yuma offers the following benefits to Full-time City employees:

• ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - City employees are automatically enrolled in the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute 11.87% (pre-tax) and the City contributes 11.87% of employee gross wages through automatic deduction. Should an employee terminate City employment, the ASRS funds may be withdrawn or remain until retirement. Contributions to the ASRS are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).
• LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD) - Included through the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute .11% and the City contributes .11% of employee gross wages. LTD contributions are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).
• SHORT TERM DISABILITY

The City provides short-term disability coverage at no cost to the employee. Short-term disability replaces part of your income if you can’t work for a short time due to a covered disability.

• SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE - Employees pay a contribution into the Social Security & Medicare System.
• WORKER'S COMP. - Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of Yuma for all employees.
• UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - Employees are covered by Unemployment Insurance.
• MEDICAL, DENTAL, and VISION INSURANCE - The City of Yuma is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for its employees which is administered by the Yuma Area Benefit Consortium. Employees may choose from two traditional PPO plans or a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed (unless waived). Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the City's Human Resources Department.
• LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides a life insurance policy for employees in an amount that is equal to your annual salary. An Accidental Death and Dismemberment rider is also included for an equal amount. Employees may elect, at their cost, additional life insurance for up to 5X their annual salary. Various voluntary insurance policies are available at your cost and may be set up as an automatic payroll deduction. Information is available from the City's Human Resources Department.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - The plan establishes a reimbursement account, which is designed to provide you with a means of paying for certain medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The amount you designate is subtracted from your earnings before taxes and is deposited in your flexible spending account. As a new employee you have 30 days from your hire date to enroll.
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Provides free counseling sessions for employees and family members, as well as a 24-hour crisis line for emergencies.
• COMPENSATORY LEAVE (COMP. TIME) - Paid leave that an employee has elected to accrue in lieu of overtime payment.
• GENERAL LEAVE - This leave is available for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. General Leave is paid leave for an employee's personal time off. General Leave can normally be used 90 days after your hire date. General Leave accrual varies by the employee's years of service and employment status.
• 0 to 5 years = 6.14 hours per pay day or 153.5 hours annually
• 5 to 10 years = 7.74 hours per pay day or 193.5 hours annually
• 10 to 15 years = 8.06 hours per pay day or 201.5 hours annually
• 15 to 20 years = 8.7 hours per pay day or 217.5 hours annually
• 20+ years = 9.34 hours per pay day or 233.5 hours annually
• SICK LEAVE - Employees are eligible to utilize paid sick leave immediately following 90 calendar days from their date of hire. July 1 of each year, employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank. New employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank on their date of hire.
• PAID PARENTAL LEAVE

The City provides up to 4 weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.

• HOLIDAYS - The City recognizes 12 holidays per year. Holiday pay is at eight hours per holiday.
• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
• President's Day (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day (First Monday in September)
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Additional Day in conjunction with Christmas
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered Annuity Plan (457 Plan) through payroll deduction to provide additional retirement income.
• TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

The City provides eligible employees tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level courses. Eligible full‑time employees may receive up to a maximum of $3,500 per calendar year.

• SMOKE-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT - The City prohibits smoking in, and within a reasonable distance of, all buildings used by the City for the conduct of City business or buildings or facilities used or occupied as workspace by City employees. This includes City owned and operated vehicles. This policy applies to all City employees, volunteers, citizens, and other persons entering or using City owned or operated facilities and/or vehicles.