Corporate Officer

Corporate Officer

Corporate Services
Full-Time, Temporary (12-18 Months)
November 1, 2024

The City of Fernie is inviting applications for the position of Corporate Officer, Full-time, Temporary, for a period of 12-18 months, to backfill a parental leave, in the Corporate Services Department.

Position Overview
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services, the Corporate Officer is an exempt, officer position responsible for leading the organization in meeting the legislative requirements set out in the Community Charter, Local Government Act, and other relevant statutes for the administration of those Acts. The Corporate Officer is responsible for protecting confidential information, exercising courtesy, tact, and diplomacy in the exchange of non-routine information with other elected officials, City employees, and the general public. They perform duties that provide support to Council and the department team, maintaining a strong commitment to administrative fairness, procedural fairness, and ethical conduct.

The Corporate Officer oversees the operations of the City’s legislative service functions, has statutory responsibilities, and provides support services to the Mayor, Council, and Chief Administrative Officer. The Corporate Officer acts as an advisor to Council on legal and procedural matters, in relation to legislative requirements. This position oversees administrative staff within their area of focus and supports administration and enactment of City bylaws, Council policies, and agreements.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Statutory duties as set out in the Community Charter and Local Government Act.
• Oversees municipal elections; Plans and develops a comprehensive Council orientation program in collaboration with the Chief Administrative Officer and senior leadership team.
• Council support, policies, notices, bylaws, and legislated requirements.
• Oversees administration, maintenance, and process management of the software Meeting Manager and Document Center.
• Takes affidavits, declarations, affirmations, and administers oaths in matters relating to city business or as provided under the Evidence Act and/or other related statutes.
• Provides confidential legislative support functions for the Council, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Corporate Services, and other department heads in a politically sensitive manner.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of the legislative budget.
• Responsible for conducting research, reviewing, and interpreting Council policies and procedures, contracts, agreements, bylaws, provincial legislation, and other legal documents.

Legislative Services Duties and Responsibilities

• Fulfill all statutory duties and administrative tasks related to the department.
• Ensures accurate minutes of Council and committee meetings are prepared and the minutes, bylaws, and other records of the business of the municipality and its committees are maintained and kept safe.
• Fulfill Deputy Information and Privacy Coordinator responsibilities and administers the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), including overseeing file preparation, correspondence, and timely response coordination.
• Ensures that access is provided to the records of the municipality and its committees, as required by law or authorized by Council.
• Supports provision of certified copies of bylaws and other documents, as required or requested.
• On behalf of the municipality, produces notices and documents that are required or permitted to be given, served on, filed with, or otherwise provided by the municipality.
• Holds custody of the Corporate Seal, official documents, and records, and acts in a liaison capacity between Council, committees, civic departments, and the public.
• Supervises the daily operations of the Legislative Services portion of the Corporate Services department.
• Consolidates all bylaws of the City in accordance with section 139 of the Community Charter. Ensures statutory requirements are met with regard to the processing of bylaws including overseeing advertising, service notices, and other legal documents.
• Stays informed of changes in provincial legislation as related to municipal government.

City Council

• Coordinates agenda development, compilation, and dissemination of Council and Committee agendas, including receipt and review of agenda reports, review formatting, content, and legislative compliance.
• Ensure meetings of Council adhere to all requirements of provincial legislation and the Council Procedure Bylaw.
• Advise elected representatives on policy questions and refer major policy matters to these representatives for final decision.
• Responsible for developing or amending Council policies, related privacy policies, programs, and procedures.
• Assists with implementation of Council directives and the directives of the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Attend or ensure Deputy attends all meetings of the Council and its committees for the purposes of minute taking, except where otherwise directed by the Mayor.
• Supports preparation of all necessary notices and agenda for all Council, Committees, and other official meetings including in-camera meetings, coordinates minute taking for all meetings and ensures completion of official minutes for adoption.

Elections

• Assumes a leadership role in the municipal election process.
• Acts as a Deputy Returning Officer during the conduct of the Municipal Elections and by-elections.
• Assists with the coordination, procurement, and organization of election-related equipment.
• Oversees referendum, related contracts, and deliverables in accordance with Referendum Act.

Leadership and Management

• Manages and leads the Deputy Corporate Officer.
• Develops, implements, and monitors long-term plans, goals, and objectives focused on achieving the city’s mission and Council priorities.
• Supports colleagues on Council report process and submission.
• Participates in the Management team and champions continual improvements that benefit the organization. Provides coaching, mentoring, and support to team members.
• Oversees and manages the human resources for the Legislative Services portion of the Corporate Services, including recruitment, selection, training, performance management, conflict resolution, discipline, and termination of employees with city guidelines and in consultation with the Corporate Services Director.
• Makes presentations to Council and other committees regarding studies, projects, policies, programs, and budgets.
• Administers the department’s assigned funds according to the approved budget and monitors its financial expenditures.
• Represents the city at local, regional, and national meetings and conferences.
• Supports colleagues and direct staff in responding to matters of concern from constituents and the general public.
• All employees shall work in accordance with the City of Fernie’s Safety Management System.

Minimum Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Local Government Administration, Public Administration, Law, or related field.
• Demonstrated applied knowledge of municipal legislation including the Community Charter, Local Government Act, FOIPPA, Land Titles Act and other related regulations, policies, and procedures as they relate to the position.
• Related experience in a municipal Corporate Services department. Two years of direct municipal experience in an administrative role, preferably working closely with elected officials.
• 2 years of progressive management experience, preferably in public administration.
• Ability to meet the statutory requirements of the Corporate Officer.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Solid knowledge of legal, regulatory, and compliance issues related to Corporate Services functions.
• Knowledge of Community Charter, Local Government Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Interpretation Act, City Bylaws, statutes, and other relevant legislation, regulations, and policies.
• Understanding of planning and land use management legislation and associated bylaws and common law principles.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of the Corporate Officer’s role, including agenda management and preparation, records management, and the legislative process (rules of procedure and protocols).
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, effective written and verbal communications skills with the ability to organize, compile, and maintain complex and extensive records, prepare reports, correspondence, procedures, and other written materials.
• Experience consulting the public, working Councils, boards, committees, and commissions of the community.
• Knowledge of advanced principles and practices of public administration.
• Ability to develop and administer city-wide goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Experience with policy development and implementation.
• Ability to identify and respond to sensitive community, organizational, and city Council issues and needs. Handle highly sensitive and confidential issues with tact, diplomacy, and a strong ethical approach.
• Knowledge of budget preparation and management.
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
• Strong formal and informal leadership skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all work.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The above description reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions and duties as required for proper evaluation of the job and will not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job. Employees may perform other related duties and tasks as required to meet the needs of the operation.

The Corporate Officer, full-time (35 hours/week) is a temporary, exempt position for a period of 12-18 months, or until return of incumbent, to backfill for a parental leave. It is office work, with regular flex time to attend Council meetings, working in a busy office environment that often has deadlines and time constraints.

Salary for this exempt role is considered a Manager I pay level, earning between a range of $90,600- $104,000 per year, depending on education and experience, and is supplemented with competitive benefits and pension, and will receive the higher benefits between the CUPE Local 2093 and IAFF Local 2827.

Detailed applications containing a resume and cover letter can be addressed to Corporate Officer Daniel and sent to careers@fernie.ca by November 17, 2024.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

Corporate Officer Meredith Daniel c/o Human Resources
City of Fernie, 501 – 3rd Ave, PO Box 190 Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0 or
email careers@fernie.ca

The City of Fernie strives to ensure that its employment practices are free from direct and indirect discrimination and is committed to upholding the human rights of those participating in the hiring process. In pursuit of this commitment, City of Fernie will not condone or tolerate any acts of discrimination or harassment under any of the grounds protected under human rights legislation. This commitment extends to the hiring process and throughout the course of employment.