North Chicago, IL – Chief of Staff

Under the direction of the Mayor, this position is responsible for the proper administration of all departments, offices and affairs of the City of North Chicago and shall act in the capacity of the Mayor in the Mayor’s absence with all decision making authority. Support and lead strategic, tactical and operational initiatives to grow revenue, reduce costs, budget strategy, improve efficiency and improve the overall image of the city.

Supervision:
Work is performed independently within general guidelines, policies and practices under the direction of the Mayor. Much work is self-generated working with management and employees. Other assignments may vary between general organizational concepts and specific detailed assignments from management. The employee implements proper methods of accomplishing goals and objectives, and is responsible for completing work in accordance with City policies and procedures.

Public Contract:
The employee has regular and constant contact with other City employees at all levels to provide employee relations services, information, resolve problems and concerns, and otherwise advance the mission of the department/organization. The employee has regular and constant contact with the general public, residents, in person and over the phone, with applicants, new employees. The employee has regular contact with suppliers, vendors, providers of services and/or goods, as well as management and elected officials.

Essential Functions:
The following essential job duties are listed in order of importance, with the most important duty listed first.

-Play lead role in developing practical solutions to challenging issues;
-Act as a driving force behind critical strategic, operational and organizational changes;
-Responsible for the daily supervision of the City and act as facilitator for the Mayor;
-Assist in the implementation and development of the City’s annual operating budget. Working with the Finance Director assist in determining a spending plan for consideration of operations, capital equipment and long range plans.
-Act as Interim Department Director, when position is vacant;
-Ability to directly supervise, plan, assign and direct the activities of all Department Head Directors, with the exception of the Police Chief.
-Attend all regular and Special Committee and Council meetings;
-Act as liaison between the Mayor and stakeholders (corporations, public officials, etc.);
-Demonstrates an understanding of the interrelationships, roles and responsibilites within the City.
-Understands the political environment, management priorities, staff roles and responsibilities, and recognizes external factors impacting the City.
-Responsible for maintaining positive public relations between the community at large, special community groups and intercity agencies and departments;
-Establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with general staff, city officials, employees and union representatives, and all levels of individuals in the community;
-Have a collaborative leadership style and a willingness to work closely with other employees; have a situational management style, with the ability to adjust approach according to individual’s needs;
-Requires working knowledge of local and state laws which regulate and relate to the operations of good city government;
-Working with the Ecomonic and Community Development Director, assist in providing leadership in the area of economic development for both business retention and new businesses.
-Have a working knowledge on the initiatives to increase the equalized assesed values of properties within the community through blight busting initiatives and other measures.
-Adept with quantitative analysis;
-Ability to assemble, organize, and present in effective oral and written form; statistical, financial, and factual information derived from a variety of original and secondary sources;
-Adept at creating and writing correspondence with various occasions for the Mayor’s Office.
-Professional and engaging communication skills with a collaborative leadership style.
-Ability to transition quickly from a technical perspective to practical business perspective;
-Represent the Mayor at functions when the Mayor’s schedule does not permit him to attend;
-Ability to be resourceful based on the situation.
-Ability to assess the impact of actions on the overall strategy;
-Must have strong sense of tact and diplomacy;
-Any other Chief of Staff related duties as prescribed by the Mayor

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college with a degree in business administration, public administration, finance, human resources, city or regional planning or a related field;
Requires a Masters Degree in public administration, business administration, or related field with strong accounting and budgeting skills.

A strong background in budget development and long-term financial and capital improvement planning.
Exhibit exceptional customer service and communication skills and a high level of integrity.

Requires prior experience as either a Director, Assistant Director and/or manager of a municipal Department preferably in a unionized and/or public sector environment;

-Thorough knowledge of economic development strategies.
-Requires a minimum of five (5) years experience in government administration;
-Requires flexibility to work outside of normal City business hours;
-Requires the ability to build trusting partnerships to enlist support and participation in the vision;
-Knowledge of Federal employment laws and regulations, State of Illinois laws and regulations;
-Requires familiarity and experience with dispute resolution, impasse, and collective bargaining strategies;
-Able to direct department services and supervise the activities of subordinate staff;
-Provide technical assistance in the development of the city budget as it applies to personnel needs and costs;
-Research data and prepare reports as requested/required;
-Ability to plan, organize and direct the development of projects, analyze problems and formulate recommendations.
-Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
-Establish and maintain good working relationships with general staff, city officials, employees, and union representatives, and the general public.
-Ability to direct and evaluate the work of department heads as well as professionals and other subordinates, including office staff.

Special Licenses & Requirements:
-International City Management Association (ICMA) Credential is a plus.
-Requires a valid Illinois Drivers License

RESIDENCY: All full-time employees, including employees covered by collective bargaining agreements, unless otherwise listed per contract language, must live within thirty-five (35) miles of City Limits, which will include residency within the State of Illinois. Distance shall be judged by drawing a circle on a map using a radius of thirty-five (35) miles, from any municipal building. All full-time employees shall reside within these limits of the City within one (1) year of their date of hire. Employees may be granted additional six (6) months upon written request, with the discretion of the Mayor.

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth Ann Black
elibla@northchicago.org
18475968642