Job Description

Posting number: 10092

Department: Office of the Mayor

Job classification: Mayor's Neighborhood Advocate

Posting type: Open

Categories: Community Development, Customer Service

Summary

Agency Summary

As the head of the executive branch, the Office of the Mayor is responsible for enforcing city ordinances and state laws; appointing, supervising and removing heads and employees of city government departments, agencies and divisions; appointing, supervising, and removing deputy mayors, with appointments subject to City-County Council approval; communicating and coordinating with the City-County Council concerning the financial condition and budget of the city and county; and setting the salaries of city employees.

Job Summary

Position is responsible for advocating for residents, community groups, and local businesses in their assigned areas of Marion County. As community builders and organizers, MNA’s will work to resolve issues - acting as ombudsman to manage relationships with neighborhood stakeholders and leaders to ensure full transparency and understanding of policy, processes, and initiatives. This position requires the Advocate to be a representative of both the Mayor’s Office, and her/his neighborhood constituents. Position Reports to the Director of Community Outreach.

Equal Employment OpportunityThe City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Examples of duties

• Serves as a resource and connector for both residents and neighborhood organizations as it relates to the current policies and procedures of various city departments. not limited to the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, Department of Public Works, Department of Metropolitan Development, etc.
• Attends community meetings to hear citizens and businesses concerns firsthand and if appropriate, address the concerns or to direct them to the appropriate government official(s).
• Assists in educating the public on zoning ordinance interpretation, land use issues, and how the public can participate in the process.
• Serves as a liaison to residents, neighborhood groups, building industry and other units of government regarding development, zoning, and permit procedures.
• Problem solves and collaborates directly with partner agencies and staff, addressing operational and organizational needs and issues.
• Informs individual citizens and neighborhood groups regarding available city services, grant programs, and available resources consults with city staff, state officials, and various other representatives of private industry about the economic needs of neighborhoods.
• Builds and maintains relationships with neighborhood leaders and city staff, while also working to groom future neighborhood leaders.
• Educates neighborhood residents and organizations about governmental processes and existence of neighborhood-based organizations. Develops relationships with these organizations to facilitate involvement, participation, and contribution from those organizations in the governmental process.
• Identifies and resolves emerging issues within neighborhoods by working together with various city, administration, and community leaders, collaborating to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods rather than simply reacting to the immediate needs that threaten the well-being of the city’s residents.
• This position is required to cover the phones at the Mayor’s Action Center, call center once a quarter. This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Planning, Management, or closely related field. (One year of directly related work experience may be substituted for each year of formal education). Two (2) years of directly related work experience. Requires interaction on a regular basis with various divisions and the departments, and regular interactions with various professional, trade and craft associations, neighborhood associations, developers, and the general public. Ability to work effectively with the general public. Ability to comprehend and interpret various code regulations. Ability to negotiate and achieve conflict resolution. Ability to work effectively with local, state, and federal agencies in addition to professional and trade associations. Ability to effectively and clearly communicate in both oral and written form. Ability to communicate in English effectively and clearly and/or Spanish. An Advocate must be self-motivated and dependable along with the ability to plan and organize events and meetings that might require the production of agendas and timelines. Flexibility to coordinate multiple projects and meet various deadlines is a necessity. Must be customer service oriented, and have working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Access, and the ability to learn all other department specific software. Demonstrates a high degree of integrity and is trustworthy and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and can adapt quickly to change, plus attention to details. Advocate must manage time to meet deadlines and work well as a team member as well as independently. Possess the verbal, written and interpersonal skills (ability to deal effectively and maintain cooperative working relationships with senior management and key stakeholders).

If your qualifications meet the requirements of the posted position, your application will be referred to the hiring agency. Once the agency receives your application, all further communication during the interview and selection process will be handled directly BY THE AGENCY. It is IMPERATIVE that you record the contact information of the individual who is scheduling your interview. City-County HR will not have access to this information, is not involved in the interview or selection process, and can only confirm whether an application has been referred. After selection of the successful candidate, an official offer of employment will be made by HR.

Supplemental information

Work is performed in a standard office environment with considerable travel to outside meetings approximately 70 percent of the time. Work will require multiple evening meetings and some weekend meetings or events.

Physical Conditions

1. Sitting at a desk the majority of the day
2. Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10) pounds
3. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation
4. Tasks require the ability to perceive and hear sounds and see visual cues or signals
5. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally