Legislative Affairs Specialist

Salary : $48,953.00 Annually

Location : Bloomington, IN

Job Type : Regular Full-Time (35-40hrs / week; with benefits)

Department : Office of the Mayor

Opening Date : 12 / 18 / 2024

Closing Date : 1 / 20 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit : N / A

Position Reports to : : Deputy Mayor

Supervises Staff : : No

Typical Work Schedule : : Monday -Friday, 8 am-5 pm, but with flexibility to accommodate evening meetings as needed

Description

Incumbent performs a range of duties related to monitoring, researching, summarizing, and analyzing local, state, and federal legislation and proposals to support the attainment of the administration's vision and goals for the City of Bloomington.

The City is currently in the process of implementing a new salary structure. Depending on the progress of this implementation, the salary offered to the selected candidate may be higher than the amount currently posted. However, the candidate will not be offered a salary lower than the posted amount for this position.

Duties

This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all job functions performed. The following are essential duties for this position, performed with or without reasonable accommodation :

Essential (primary)

Tracks and reviews proposed bills, amendments, regulations, and hearings at the federal, state, and local level.

Attends, watches, or reviews minutes of City Council, County Council, and various boards and commissions. Creates summaries, flags relevant items for action or awareness, and performs additional research as needed.

Prepares reports, briefs, memos, or testimony on the potential impact, benefits, or risks of legislative proposals.

Develops position statements and strategies on specific policies or initiatives such as lobbying, coalition building, grassroots mobilization, or media outreach.

Prepares agenda and minutes for Cabinet meetings and assembles biweekly Cabinet reports. Prepares presentations, reports, and briefings for Cabinet.

Reviews and recommends mayoral appointments to boards and commissions.

Communicates and collaborates with stakeholders, policymakers, staff, media, or public on legislative issues and positions.

Stays updated on current trends, developments, and best practices in local government.

Performs related and all requested duties as assigned.

Non-Essential (secondary)

Assists in execution of promotional Officer of the Mayor City events such as luncheons and receptions, and greets special visitors.

Serves as the Mayor's representative on various City and community committees, as necessary.

Provides overflow staffing support for front desk and Office of the Mayor correspondence.

Job Requirements

Minimum knowledge equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration, Political Science or a closely related field.

Ability to comprehend, restate, and analyze complex legislative materials and discourse.

Ability to research, compile, and analyze data.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in written briefings and reports, and to maintain confidentiality of information.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in communications and interactions.

Ability to effectively communicate with City officials, community leaders, agencies, and the general public in a tactful and courteous manner and present a positive image for the City and the Office of the Mayor during varied situations and circumstances.

Skilled in business English, grammar, punctuation, spelling, public relations and telephone etiquette and business / political protocol.

Proficient in the use of office technology and software such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, etc.

Difficulty of Work and Personal Work Relationship

Difficulty of Work

Incumbent performs duties in a modern office environment with no unusual physical demands.

Work schedule may include evening and weekend events. Duties require the incumbent to act as the representative of the Mayor and maintain a high level of decorum, often in the face of escalated complaints.

Personal Work Relationships

Incumbent maintains daily contact with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, elected city and county officials, department staff, other city employees, and members and organizations of the general public for a variety of purposes.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, La Egualdad De Oportunidades De Empleo Es La Ley. The City of Bloomington does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Bloomington validates authorization to work using E-Verify, which provides the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's I-9 form to confirm work authorization.

We offer an excellent benefits package to regular full-time and part-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and personal time off.

• Eligible employees receive 13 paid holidays per year. They may earn up to 4 weeks (160 hours) of Paid Time Off in their first year of employment and 5 weeks (200 hours) in their second calendar year of employment.
• The City contributes 100% of the 14.2% of a regular employee's salary to their retirement fund through the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS). Employees may contribute additional pre-taxed dollars to a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan account to supplement their retirement earnings. The City will contribute double the amount of the employee's 457 (b) contribution to a 401(a) account up to $30 per pay.
• Health, vision, and dental insurance premiums are subsidized by the City and are available on day one of employment to regular employees. Employees may elect the High Deductible Insurance plan with the City providing an HSA contribution and if the employee is a non-smoker or participating in the Tobacco Cessation program, the employee only plan is at no cost to the employee.
• Employees and their dependents (ages 3 and up) who are on the City's health insurance may utilize the City Employee Health Clinic.
• Employee Tuition reimbursement plan.
• Employees may receive over $2,400 per year in HSA contributions and wellness reimbursements, insurance discounts, and incentives.
• The City offers life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and long term disability insurance at no cost to employees. Employees may elect voluntary term life and short-term disability insurance.
• After 1 year of employment, six weeks of paid parental leave are available to eligible employees.
• Student Loan Forgiveness : The City of Bloomington is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans.
• City Employees can participate in the Sustainable Commuter Incentive program for financial incentive.
• City Employees are able to ride the Bloomington Transit for free.
• Conditions and restrictions apply.

Describe how you have a Bachelor's degree or the equivalent knowledge in Public or Business Administration, Political Science or a closely related field. If you do not have the degree or equivalent knowledge, please mark NA.

Required Question

Salary : $2,400 - $48,953