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Description
DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES:
About the Office of Administration, Policy, and Intergovernmental Relations
The City Manager’s Office provides strategic leadership that supports the Mayor and City Council, and motivates the organization to deliver high quality services that meet the community’s needs. The City Manager’s Office of Administration, Policy, and Intergovernmental Relations, under the direction of the Director, coordinates internal budgets and hiring, citywide public policy, and legislative affairs. It provides the City’s Leaders, Administrators, Directors, and staff with support, coordination, research, and strategic analysis of the city’s critical needs, programs, policies, and services.
About the Position
The Assistant to the City Manager is a key member of the Office of Administration, Policy, and Intergovernmental Relations (API). The position will assist the Director by supporting organizational capacity-building around policy development and data-driven decision making, and aligning program and policy priorities internally and externally. The position enhances the City Manager’s Office internal planning and management, and supports streamlining inter-departmental coordination for programs, policies, and initiatives. The position is responsible for facilitation and collaboration across Departments to advance the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services that support the City Manager’s Enterprise Priorities, City Council Committees, and other services that resolve critical issues. This position assists both internal and external stakeholders to achieve City goals.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for advancing race equity, significant experience in policy analysis, proficient understanding of data collection and data-driven decision making, community and government relations experience, enjoys working in multi-disciplinary teams and has an understanding of administrative functions in the public sector with an enthusiasm for continuous quality improvement. Central abilities key to this position include excellent communication (written and verbal), leadership and interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, a commitment to customer service and serving the most vulnerable residents, and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and issues. The organization is looking for proven leaders that enjoy working through complex issues to find creative and innovative solutions and process improvements. Due to the complexity and scope of authority involved, this position requires someone who can work both independently and
interdependently to ensure work is completed in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion.
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 Jose will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
Detail oriented and can balance the high-level thinking with managing day-to-day tasks on multiple projects at the same time.
Proven ability to effectively communicate with a broad set of stakeholders including team members, senior and executive leadership, internal and external stakeholders, and the residents of San José.
Key position responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Analyze organizational structures, functions, procedures, and practices; provide analysis and recommendations of various kinds and levels of services provided by City government to create improved efficiencies.
• Coordinate activities and provide information and staff reports to assist the City Manager and senior and executive staff, City Council Members, City task forces, and committees.
• Oversee the performance of the organization in meeting the City's goals and in carrying out directives of the City Manager and Emergency Operations Center (when activated).
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with a diversity of individuals, community groups, and organizations to ensure that the City's programs effectively serve the San José community.
• Carry out special studies, investigations and prepare reports and recommendations to the City Manager.
• Represent the Director as assigned.
• May supervise professional and/or support staff as assigned.
• Evening and weekend work is occasionally required.
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. You must fill out the online application available on the City of San José website. As part of this process, you will be required to submit a cover letter & resume, and answer five (5) supplemental questions. Please limit your response to no more than 4 pages.
To apply, please complete an application via the City of San José’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers. This position will remain open until filled. The first application review will be on June 21 2021 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application. Please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-1285, or Human.Resources@sanjoseca.gov if you have any questions.
If you have questions, comments or concerns about the recruitment, selection or hiring process, please contact Jessica Lowry at e-mail at jessica.lowry@sanjoseca.gov
Ideal Candidate
REQUIRED SKILLS:
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, or a discipline related to the business performed by the department, AND six (6) years management and/or administrative experience in government or private business/industry. A Master’s degree is preferred and may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
Desired Skills & Competencies:
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated from past and current employment history.
Serve as a leader to strengthen and support the development of individuals and teams, including:
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information;
• Ability to delegate effectively and encourage the development of staff throughout the organization; and
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and flexibility to change.
An understanding of and appreciation for the complexities of local government processes and practices, including:
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in challenging and fluid situations; and
• Ability to learn quickly, be a self-starter, handle multiple assignments and deadlines, and work well under pressure.
Proven record of accomplishment of building capacity and directing organizational change to achieve goals, including:
• Experience in the development and implementation of strategies to solve complex organization business and municipal problems;
• Strong project management experience;
• Proficiency in guiding data-driven decision making; and
• Strong administrative, organizational and planning skills.
Those candidates with experience and training that best match the position will move forward to the next phase of the selection process, which will include interview(s) and reference checks.
1. Please select the option that best describes how you meet the minimum qualifications:
1. Bachelor's degree and at least six (6) years of management and/or administrative experience in government or private business/ industry.
2. Master's degree and five (5) years of management and/or administrative experience in government or private business/ industry.
3. None of the above.
2. Describe your experience developing and managing programs for large complex public-sector organizations, including your experience with the San José City Council, any city government, or city services.
3. Describe your experience developing and carrying out process improvements within a local government setting and your approach to effectively work with or lead multi-disciplinary teams.
4. Many communities are struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Why do you feel racial equity must be at the center of San Jose's recovery efforts to ensure an inclusive economic recovery?
5. Please describe the skills and abilities you have that you believe would make you a successful member of the City Manager's Office.