Secretary City Council

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

CITY OF BALTIMORE,

BALTIMORE CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1

(Policy Director)

POSTING DATE: 2/5/2025

SALARY RANGE: $53,695 - $64,769

HOURS: Full-Time

BACKGROUND CHECK

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening and must be successfully completed.

Summary Of Position

The policy director will serve as the primary staff person for supporting our legislative work as an office. That will involve research, writing, campaign strategizing, coalition-building within the community and with advocates, collaboration with other council staff members, and coordination with staff from agencies and the mayor’s office. Depending on committee assignments and leadership positions, there will be additional responsibilities specific to those committees and leadership roles.

The policy director will also be deeply involved in our constituent service work, both in terms of resolving individual issues and in terms of working with the team to handle complex challenges within the district

Essential Functions

Public Policy & Communications:

• Works with other staff members to develop written policy briefs, statements, public
  
  

comments, letters, and memoranda that summarize/interpret policy findings

• Has the primary responsibility to research policy initiatives and trends across
  
  

government, media, think tanks, academia, and advocacy organizations

• Has the primary responsibility to draft testimony, briefings, and talking points for
  
  

hearings, alongside other staff members

• Helps to review and analyze the annual budget
• Works with others to support communications from the office (newsletter, website,
  
  

social media, press releases, etc.).

Relationship Building:

• Build authentic relationships with residents, agencies, partners, labor unions,
  
  

community groups, businesses, and organizations in the district

• Establish effective working relationships with staff members; city and state elected
  
  

officials and their staff members; city and state agency staff; the private sector; and the

public

• Build and sustain coalitions, as necessary, to tackle specific challenges or to address
  
  

specific opportunities

Problem Solving:

• Collaborate with advocacy groups, city agencies, and communities to troubleshoot
  
  

district specific issues/challenges

• Contribute to our office’s response to complex in-district issues and challenges
• Participate fully in our constituent service tracking within the office
• Handle a percentage of incoming constituent needs’ communication (initial response,
  
  

not including the “complex” issues)

Education And Experience Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of three years’ experience in public service, focused in/on Baltimore, with the ability to demonstrate progressive leadership development.
• Strong commitment to an intergenerational, multicultural, and inclusive work setting.
• Valid state-issued form of identification.
• Ability to move around the district and the city in a timely fashion (whatever means of transportation might be used).
• Availability to work flexible hours (evenings/weekends).
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Conversational Spanish
• Expertise in one or more of the following policy areas: housing, community development, education, youth, land use, transportation, budgeting, support for immigrants & refugees
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in public policy, public administration, social work, or related area
• Experience and advanced skills with Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Canva, and social media platforms.
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience and skill in political communications
• Experience in electoral campaigns
• Knowledge of the First District, and/or a resident of the district
  
  

EDUCATION ACCREDITATION:

N/A

License, Registration And Certificate Requirements

N/A.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

N/A

Benefits

The City of Baltimore offers a generous and competitive benefits package. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.

Financial Disclosure:

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law.

About The City Council

The City Council is the City's legislative body, with the power to enact all ordinances and resolutions. City Council members are elected from fourteen districts, and the President is elected at large, by all voters of the City. The fifteen City Council members, along with the Mayor, act only by ordinance, resolution, or motion. They adopt and may alter the annual budget and confirm the Mayor's appointments. The City Council is responsible for the appropriation and issuance of bonds. The City Council determines its own rules of procedure, and its meetings are open to the public. City Council members are elected every four years. They are elected to geographic districts of roughly the same proportion of population.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER