Commissioner Aide

Alachua County•Gainesville, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This is highly responsible professional work providing legislative, administrative, research, constituent-service, and project support to one or more members of the Board of County Commissioners. The position serves as a liaison between commissioners, constituents, stakeholders, County departments, governmental agencies, and community organizations. An employee assigned to this classification researches and analyzes proposed legislation, policies, Board actions, and special initiatives; prepares reports and briefing materials; responds to constituent concerns; coordinates follow-up with appropriate departments and agencies; and supports commissioners at meetings, public events, and outreach activities. This position requires sound judgment, strong research and communication skills, political awareness, discretion, responsiveness, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a public-service environment. Work is performed independently under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through reports, conferences and observation of results obtained.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, political science, or a related field
One year of professional experience in administrative support, legislative research, constituent services, government operations
Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Nice To Haves

Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.

Responsibilities

Monitors and researches proposed and upcoming legislation at the county and state levels; analyzes the potential fiscal, operational, regulatory, and community impacts of proposed legislation on the County; and prepares concise legislative summaries, briefing documents, reports, and other materials for commissioners and appropriate administrative staff.
Researches and analyzes proposed policies, special initiatives, Board actions, projects, and related information and data from the County and comparable counties to support policy development and advance commissioner priorities.
Prepares detailed reports, summaries, findings, and recommendations for commissioners, administrative staff, and other involved officials.
Maintains a general understanding of Florida Statutes, local ordinances, County policies, and governmental processes to support accurate and well-informed analysis and decision-making.
Assists commissioners in managing constituent and stakeholder matters and supporting effective time management by reviewing, researching, prioritizing, and routing correspondence, requests, documents, and other information; coordinating with appropriate County departments, governmental agencies, and outside organizations to address and resolve complaints, concerns, requests, and inquiries; responding promptly and professionally through telephone, email, written correspondence, and in-person contact; tracking matters through completion; and providing timely status updates to the commissioner and involved parties.
Monitors the work of community organizations that are relevant to the work being championed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
Serves as a liaison between the commissioner and governmental agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Monitors and tracks departmental or agency progress in responding to Board motions involving constituent concerns, stakeholder issues, projects, or policy matters.
Attends meetings, hearings, workshops, and other proceedings as assigned; takes notes and provides summaries of discussions, decisions, and required follow-up actions.
Supports commissioners in preparing for meetings, events, decisions, and public communications by reviewing agendas, supporting documents, correspondence, reports, and other materials; identifying and prioritizing matters requiring attention; researching, collecting, organizing, and analyzing relevant information; routing time-sensitive correspondence and requests to the appropriate County department, agency, staff member, or official; and preparing briefing materials, background information, issue summaries, talking points, meeting notes, presentations, correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other written materials for the commissioner’s review or use.
Coordinates with administrative staff to ensure deadlines, meeting requirements, action items, and follow-up responsibilities are completed.
Assists the commissioners at public events, community meetings, civic functions, workshops, and outreach activities; represents the commissioners at meetings or events when directed and provides summaries of relevant discussions, concerns, and follow-up items.
Maintains organized and accurate records of proposed legislation, bill positions, policy matters, stakeholder contacts, constituent concerns and correspondence, departmental referrals, responses, resolutions, research materials, reports, other documents associated with the commissioner’s policy portfolio and outstanding follow-up items.
Organizes information in a manner that permits timely retrieval and supports continuity of commissioner priorities and projects.
Handles and maintains records and information in accordance with applicable County policies, public-records requirements, retention schedules, and confidentiality requirements, exercising discretion, sound judgment, professionalism, and political awareness when managing sensitive, privileged, personnel-related, constituent, and pre-decisional information.
Exercises appropriate judgment when communicating information to constituents, stakeholders, County employees, governmental representatives, and members of the public.
Maintains professional, positive, and effective working relationships with constituents, community organizations, elected officials, County employees, governmental representatives, and other stakeholders while demonstrating neutrality, respect, and professionalism when addressing diverse interests, concerns, and viewpoints.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.