Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor

ABOUT US

The City of Spruce Grove is a fast growing, dynamic city committed to building and maintaining a fiscally responsible community that serves our residents, attracts visitors, and promotes future growth.

The “Values, We Live By” are accountability, communication, leadership, integrity, and respect while we work towards maintaining a work/play balance.

We are an organization that cares, an organization that is committed to our city and committed to you. The City of Spruce Grove is committed to public service, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. We believe that by working together in a spirit of collaboration and respect, we can achieve great things.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor is responsible for coordinating the City of Spruce Grove’s intergovernmental initiatives and advocacy efforts. This role provides extensive research, analysis, and advice on policy trends and recommended actions, develops the City’s advocacy plan, and coordinates government relations activities to support municipal priorities. The Intergovernmental Advisor fosters relationships and facilitates collaboration with provincial and federal governments, regional municipalities, Indigenous communities, and key stakeholders.

This is a permanent full-time position with a salary range of $94,549.00 - $112,385.00

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and Analysis:

- Perform ongoing cross jurisdictional scanning on issues and trends of strategic importance to the City to inform recommendations to senior leadership and Council.
- Conduct research and analysis on regional policy and program trends and emerging issues affecting the City of Spruce Grove.
- Provide recommendations to City leadership and Council on provincial government policies, programs, legislative changes, and funding opportunities impacting the City.

Advocacy and Coordination
- Liaise with City departments, senior leadership, Council, regional municipalities, community organizations, and external partners to research and identify advocacy issues and opportunities for the City.
- Develop the City’s draft advocacy plan outlining the City’s advocacy priorities for consideration by senior leadership and Council, ensuring alignment with municipal priorities.
- Prepare briefing notes and key messages and attend meetings with elected officials as required to support and advance the City’s advocacy plan.
- Update, maintain and report on the advocacy plan to senior leadership and Council as required.
- Participate on committees, working groups, and other related forums mandated to address intergovernmental, regional and inter-municipal priorities and issues.
- Maintain an awareness of the political, economic, and social issues impacting municipalities and integrate relevant information into the City’s advocacy plan.

Relationship Development and Support:

- Coordinate the City’s government relations activities and build relationships with other orders of government, municipalities and municipal organizations, and key external stakeholders.
- Support efforts to address intergovernmental, regional, inter-municipal and other external client priorities and issues.
- Support senior leadership and elected officials who sit on various intergovernmental organizations including Alberta Municipalities, Mid-sized Cities Mayors Caucus (MCMC), and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) by preparing meeting briefings and supporting senior leadership and elected officials on-site at various meetings and conferences.

Indigenous Relations Coordination
- Support Administration and Council in relationship-building and engagement with Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities.
- Manage supporting contracted resources to provide recommendations to leadership and Council on developing an Indigenous relations engagement plan, responding to requests from Indigenous partner organizations, and delivering Indigenous awareness training for Administration and Council.
- Assists in the development of strategies and initiatives that respect and enhance Indigenous partnerships.

Issues Management and Coordination:

- Support senior leadership in identifying and assessing intergovernmental risks and opportunities for the City.
- Advise on mitigating strategies to manage and respond to intergovernmental challenges and emerging issues.
- Coordinate with internal departments and senior leadership to ensure a cohesive approach to intergovernmental initiatives aligned with Council’s advocacy priorities.

Communication:

- Recommend communications tactics and approaches that support regional policy work and associated educational and information campaigns.
- Develop background briefing notes, presentation and reports on intergovernmental matters for senior leadership and Council.
- Communicate and foster an understanding of intergovernmental and inter-municipal issues and trends

across the organization.

Other Duties:

- Have an understanding of and