POLICY ADVISOR TO THE MAYOR

This position works on policy initiatives and solutions as directed by the Mayor on a variety of issues including but not limited to arts and historic preservation, economic development, education and community development, environment and sustainability, government operations and efficiency, public health, public safety and regionalism and intergovernmental relations. The incumbent assists the Mayor, but works under the supervision of the City Manager.

The work is considered sedentary and involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: fingering, handling, hearing, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, and visual acuity.

Work environment involves exposure to no known environmental hazards; and is relatively safe, secure and stable.

• Works on public policy to generate new policy initiatives and develop a strategic perspective on how best to build public consensus and support for those initiatives and the city in general;Oversees strategy and implementation of new programs;
• Coordinate with partners and stakeholders on policy and programs; 
• Research policy initiatives for feasibility of implementation 
• Assists in ensuring the Mayor has necessary documents/background information for meetings and events connected to policy and programs;
• Serves as the Mayor’s liaison with internal and external groups, organizations, committees and projects which includes but is not limited to: US. Conference of Mayors, Midlands Business Leadership Group, Central SC, Bloomberg Harvard, Climate Mayors, Community Leaders of America, Columbia Town & Gown Committee, Columbia Streams Art, Collegiate Engagement Council, Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC), Columbia Food Policy Committee, Main Street District Marketing Committee, Grocery Access Program, Cola Ambassador Program, 
• Travel for city relationship building;
• Assists in writing talking points, speeches, press releases and other external communications;

• Assists with event planning/coordination for any Mayor sponsored/initiatives;
• Assists with coordinating travel and accommodations; 
• Monitors and reviews the Mayors email inbox;
• Maintains and provides status updates/briefings on priority policy and initiatives development and implementation;
• Coordinates with City Manager and her designee(s) on intergovernmental affairs, communicating with county, state, and federal officials as needed;
• Collaborates on state and federal legislative work with Governmental Affairs Coordinator and Lobbyists to ensure communication and organization between Mayor, Council and Leadership; 
• Assists in marketing, coordinating and implementing various City programs, events, projects activities and services as assigned;
• Writes and/or edits public remarks to be delivered by the mayor including but not limited to official welcomes, keynote speeches and addresses; 
• Coordinates with the Mayor’s Communication Team on public statements and proclamations;
• Attends staff, committee and City meetings as required; may represent the Mayor at various meetings as requested;
• Attends training, meetings, seminars and/or workshops to enhance job knowledge and skills; 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration or a closely related field; 
• One (1) year of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

• Knowledge of basic algebra involving variables and formulas and/or computing discounts and interest rates;
• Ability to summarize, tabulate or format data or information in accordance with a prescribed schema or plan to facilitate the identification and extraction of useful information;
• Ability to speak and signal to people to convey or exchange information of a general nature;
• Ability to handle or use machines requiring moderate instruction and experience such as computers, and software programs such as word processing, spreadsheets or custom applications;
• Ability to perform semi-skilled work involving set procedures and rules but with frequent problems;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format and grammar; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks prescribed by standard practices but which may require computation, the use of several procedures, and the use of independent judgments with obvious choices; requires normal attention for accurate results; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring a few decisions affecting a few co-workers; works in a stable environment with clear and uncomplicated written/oral instructions but with some variations from the routine.

Salary : $71,380 - $91,010