Assistant to the Mayor

: Position Description

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $57,609 - $69,130.80

Workdays/Hours: Monday - Friday / 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Some evenings and weekend work are required) To provide advanced and extensive, high-level project and administrative support to the Mayor. This is accomplished by ensuring a broad range of complex functions occur timely, efficiently, effectively, diplomatically, and confidentially. Significant project coordination is required with internal and external stakeholders, to include City staff, other elected officials and/or their designees. Assignments are specialized and require considerable initiative and sound judgment. This position reports to and is supervised by the Assistant City Manager/Chief of Staff. Duties/Responsibilities

• Conducts policy research and analysis to make recommendations, draft reports, letters, memos, presentations, proclamations/resolutions, and briefing documents for the Mayor.
• Conducts advance work to prepare for mayoral appearances (i.e., ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, banquets, meetings, etc.) - to include research, speech writing, developing talking points, and coordinating meeting/event logistics on behalf of the Mayor.
• Proofread and edit reports, correspondence, and presentations.
• Manage and monitor projects of importance to the Mayor - to include coordination of resources and stakeholders, scheduling, conducting research for routine and non-routine projects.
• Respond to constituent inquiries in-person, via telephone, email, in writing, and social media, often requiring an interpretation and explanation of City policies and procedures.
• Communicate with elected officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders on behalf of the Mayor.
• Accompany the Mayor to meetings/events or attend meetings/events on the Mayor's behalf.
• Create City Council Meeting agenda items on behalf of the Mayor.
• Manage mayoral expenditures and citywide memberships and dues.
• Supervises and directs the work of the Mayor's administrative support staff and intern(s). Administrative support staff coordinate and manage the Mayor's calendar, address travel needs for the Mayor to include hotel, airfare, meals, ground transportation, meeting/conference registration, expense estimation and reimbursement, etc. Administrative support staff also prepares correspondence, reports, and forms; and takes and transcribes minutes when necessary; opens, sorts, and distributes incoming mail; collects, seals and stamps outgoing mail.
• Responsible for ensuring the Office of the Mayor is available and responsive to visitors/guests coming in person and calling via telephone.
• Monitor Mayor's email and respond when appropriate.
• Manage Mayor's social media platforms.
• Formulate procedures for systematic retention, protection, retrieval, transfer, disposal and release of public records.
• Responsible for coordinating special events; designing, editing and producing informational materials; and writing news releases and responding to media requests when necessary.
• Provides excellent customer service by phone, email and in person.
• Performs the duties listed, as well as others assigned, with professionalism, confidentiality, and a sense of urgency.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree "or" equivalent.
• Two (2) years of related professional experience.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills with an affinity for helping resolve issues.
• Exceptional written communication skills.
• Previous work experience in City or County government.
• Previously employed in a position responsible for providing administrative and/or project support to an elected official.
• Experience with social media in a professional or work setting.

Benefits - General Full-Time Employees

• 11-12 paid holidays per year
• 12 standard work days of vacation per year
• 12 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
• 2 weeks paid military leave per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
• State and City retirement plans
• Short and long term disability plans
• Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
• City contribution of 10.15% into the N.C. State Retirement System
• Paid funeral leave
• Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
• Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
• 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
• 4 hours parental leave each year
• Workman's Compensation Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan

Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan
• Health Insurance