Council Assistant (Part-Time, Unbenefited) – Council District 8 Office

City of San Jose•San Jose, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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 8 Office is recruiting for one (1) part-time, unbenefited Council Assistant to support the Office of Councilmember Domingo Candelas. 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. Bilingual language skills (Vietnamese) both oral and written, are highly preferred.

Requirements

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.
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 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience and knowledge of policy, communications, and event planning.
Bilingual language skills (Vietnamese) both oral and written.
BA/BS in Political Science, Public Policy, Public or Business Administration, Communications, or related field.
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.

Responsibilities

Represents the elected official at neighborhood or community meetings and activities, City-related boards/commission meetings and other meetings with government agencies, private industry, and related meetings.
Provides legislative support (legislative and policy research, responding to stakeholder inquiries, etc.) to the elected official.
Gathers background information related to issues pending before the City Council.
Analyzes a wide variety of materials on assigned projects, programs, and topics.
Provides communication support such as drafting correspondence, preparing memoranda or reports which articulate the elected official’s proposals, priorities, and positions on matters pending before the City Council or other governmental agencies.
Assists in preparation of speeches, articles, or other communications for the elected official.
Responds to a variety of constituent inquiries, resolving complaints, and interpreting operating policies for residents of the community and other interested parties.
Plans, coordinates, and leads community meetings and special events.
May provide training and supervision of interns and volunteers.
Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.