Constituency Representative Jobs

Ward 18 - Constituency Representative

Lily Cheng is the City Councillor for Ward 18 - Willowdale: a hybrid urban and suburban ward with over 118,000 residents. This position is ideally suited for a customer service-oriented person who is keenly interested in municipal government and politics and understands the importance of strengthening a community voice through fostering civic engagement.

We are looking for someone who is a problem solver, customer service-minded, well-organized, and detail-oriented.

Objective

To assist the City Councillor in building and maintaining strong relationships with constituents, community and other stakeholders, and handling case work.

Responsibilities:

● Actively outreach, meet, and connect with neighbours in the community.

● Assists the Councillor in handling inquiries, concerns, and complaints from constituents and the public. Ensures that constituent-related concerns, problems, and inquiries are resolved either personally or through the appropriate City staff.

● Ensures constituency case records are maintained and follows up on requests and inquiries made by the Councillor to City staff.

● Provides constituency outreach and strategic planning. Monitors current issues that may have an impact on the constituency.

● Meet with constituents as necessary. Organize and promote community meetings and events.

● Assists or represents the Councillor at meetings with City staff, constituents, community organizations and associations, and special event functions. Communicates the Councillor’s position and obtains support for that position at these meetings if necessary. Also accompanies the Councillor to required meetings providing assistance and advice.

● Undertakes research and analysis for the Councillor concerning policy matters and divisional services/programs relating to constituency/public inquiries and concerns. Discusses the same with City staff for appropriate actions and responses. Prepares responses. May be required to sign on behalf of the Councillor.

● Ensures the Councillor is prepared with the required briefing material for meetings of Council, Committees, and other meetings.

● Assists the Councillor or represents the Councillor at public hearings and appeals (e.g. Committee of Adjustment, Ontario Land Tribunal, Workplace Safety Insurance Board, etc.) acting on behalf of constituents.

● Prepares letters of support for constituents or community groups as requested.

● Prepares and coordinates general presentation material and/or speeches for the Councillor when necessary.

● Build and maintain stakeholder relationships with neighbourhood associations, condo boards and tenant committees within a designated area. Help foster new neighbourhood associations in areas that are not represented.

● Monitors developments within the designated area and updates the website with status.

● Maintains a database of the Councillor’s contacts.

● Maintains awareness of ward, community and city-wide municipal matters, and other matters affecting the municipality, the Councillor and their constituents.

● Maintains confidentiality concerning issues involving the City and the Councillor, and adheres to the City’s Conflict of Interest Policy.

● Undertakes special assignments as requested by the Councillor.

Knowledge & Experience:

● College diploma or University degree in a related field, or equivalent experience, with 1-3 years experience in community development, project management, or as a political staffer.

● Highly developed verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences.

● Strong capacity for research, analysis and synthesis of detailed information.

● Understanding of the Toronto political landscape and pressing issues, such as housing, public health, transit, social services, equity and social justice.

● An understanding of community engagement and asset based community development.

● Knowledge of City of Toronto divisions, services and constituency reporting processes. ● Advanced knowledge of project management, relationship management and constituency services.

● Excellent time management and organizational skills.

● Ability to work with assignments demanding critical judgment, analytical thinking and creative problem-solving.

● Available to work evenings and occasional weekends as required.

● Ability to work within a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment and meet tight deadlines.

● Proficiency and experience working in a computerized environment.

● Residing within Ward 18 - Willowdale is an asset.

● Korean, Farsi or Mandarin written and spoken fluency would be an asset.

Compensation

$50,000 - 55,000 per year

Benefits:

● Dental care

● Extended health care

● Paid time off

● Vision care

Hours & Location:

The position is a fixed-term, full-time contract - 35 hours per week, not including occasional evenings and weekends (which will be counted as lieu time) - starting September 2023 until the end of the term in November 2026. The position will be based out of Toronto City Hall located at 100 Queen Street West and North York Civic Centre at 5100 Yonge St. along with community meetings and events.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning immediately. We thank all interested applicants; however, only those candidates being considered for an interview will be contacted.