Council Policy & Legislative Director (Mayor's Office) (Unclassified)

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 Mayor serves as the political leader of San José, and under the City Charter, is responsible for recommending policy, program, and budget priorities for the City.

Per the City’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all new hires to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical or religious exemption. “Fully vaccinated” means the employee has received two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third-party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.

The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan is recruiting for a Council Policy & Legislative Director, seeking a highly qualified professional to serve as a member of the Mayor’s Policy Team. The position will work on several priority initiatives, making recommendations, and developing action plans for meeting the Mayor’s policy objectives. Policy areas of focus may include public safety, housing, homelessness, environment, neighborhood quality of life, land use, or economic development.

The total salary range for the Council Policy & Legislative Director is $68,619.98 - $109,791.76. This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

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

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with City Council offices, City departments, community organizations, residents, business community, non-profit organizations, and government agencies as they are key partners on policy and as a representative of the Mayor’s Office.
• Coordinate projects citywide with City administration.
• Lead initiatives within an assigned policy portfolio. Drive policy priorities through government and legislative process. Research best practices on assigned policy portfolio.
• Gather background information relative to issues pending before the City Council.
• Draft routine to complex correspondence, memoranda, and reports which articulate the Mayor’s policy initiatives.
• Prepare speeches and talking points for the Mayor.
• Coordinate arrangements for meetings, programs, or other civic functions on behalf of the Mayor.
• Attend meetings and community events with the Mayor, requires occasional availability on evenings and weekends.
• Gather background information relative to issues pending before the City Council
• Analyze a wide variety of materials on assigned projects, programs, and topics.
• Respond to constituent inquiries and issues, resolving complaints, and interpreting operating policies for residents of the community and other interested parties.
• Attend and represent the Mayor at City-related meetings and activities, meeting with governmental agencies, private industry, and related meetings.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as required.
• Conduct public meetings and events on behalf of the Mayor and/or prepare summaries of public and private meetings, reports, memoranda, and other documents for review by the Mayor.
• Provide support in community engagement efforts with neighborhood, district or citywide business or community groups or associations and other interested parties regarding community concerns, issues, and priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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 of time to be determined by the appointing Councilmember and does not extend past the end of the elected official's or appointing authority's term. Candidates must be willing to work evenings and weekends on occasion, 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

The minimum qualification requirements include any combination of training, education, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise and support the Mayor on matters of constituent services; public policy; community outreach and engagement; and communications.

Education: Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, business administration, journalism, public relations or related field.

Experience: Three (3) or more years of government or public service experience. Experience working for an elected official at the federal, state, or local level or as a public or private sector manager is highly desirable. A Master’s degree in public or business administration; or a degree in a technical field related to a municipal function is highly desirable.

Required Licensing: Possession of a valid California Driver’s license is required.

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San José will not sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Desirable experience, knowledge and skills for this position include:

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university, preferably in the field of Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• At least five (5) years of professional experience in public policy preferred. In addition, we are specifically seeking candidates who:
  • Demonstrate a history of receiving progressively-increasing responsibilities and documented success at each level.
  • Possess experience managing complex projects and/or interdepartmental teams.
  • Have reported directly to or worked alongside an organization’s senior leadership team.
  • Have prior work experience in local government or political offices.
• Bilingual skills: oral and written proficiency with languages, such as Spanish or Vietnamese is desirable, but not required.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to lead committee meetings.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in developing, analyzing, and evaluating various programs and services.
• Ability to manage programs, activities, and projects within the scope and authority of the Mayor.
• Strong and effective organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive and succeed in a high-energy, fast-paced environment

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process may consist of one or more interviews.

To be considered for this position, you must fill out the online application available on the City of San José website and submit the following:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Two (2) writing samples that best demonstrate your level of proficiency.

You must submit these in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.