Job Type:
Executive Opportunities

Organization:
Strathcona County

Competition Number:
186-2015-LLS

Job Description :

An exceptional career opportunity is available with Strathcona County as the Director, Legislative and Legal Services.  In Support of County Council and the citizens of Strathcona County, Legislative and Legal Services is charged with ensuring open and transparent government.  The department lays the foundation of local government in Strathcona County and supports the processes to make municipal government work by managing government decision-making processes, administering council meetings, supporting elected officials, and providing public notice. Legislative and Legal Services coordinates requirements under access and privacy legislation and promotes open government by creating and preserving the corporate record, managing and storing records, enabling corporate information stewardship, ensuring elections readiness and managing elections operations.

The Director is responsible to ensure the creation of a robust and transparent governance culture with sound practices and systems for supporting effective decision making by Council, as well as ensuring that all activities of the municipality are in compliance with legislative provisions respecting the roles and responsibilities of local government. This Director position oversees policy and bylaw development for the County as it relates to governance and ensures compliance to statutory and legal requirements.  The Director is also responsible to develop and implement plans and programs for the provision of external and internal legal services and to provide legal information to Council, senior leadership and employees to ensure that the municipality acts within its statutory, regulatory and constitutional obligations.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of more than 92,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of refining in Western Canada. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.  As the fourth largest municipality by population, Strathcona County is committed to the delivery of quality public services.  Within this mandate, we strive to provide opportunities for staff to grow and evolve in a dynamic, challenging and open environment that promotes engagement, achievement, and corporate leadership.

We are seeking a professional with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the public sector. The successful candidate will possess senior level management experience with proven strategic leadership in a government setting, particularly at the local government level, coupled with an extensive background and experience in municipal law, administrative law, privacy law, management planning, policies and systems. Required credentials will also include but are not limited to, a relevant university degree (preferably law or public administration) and training in Robert’s Rules and/or parliamentary procedures.  In order to have a broad understanding of the role of local government, completion of the Local Government Studies program and qualification as a Certified Municipal Clerk with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks would be an asset. Knowledge and understanding of the legal structure of municipalities (powers, duties and responsibilities of Council and Administration) and an understanding of administrative law will help to create a compelling vision for the department. Other important attributes include excellent interpersonal, communications and collaboration skills that enable you to build partnerships with key stakeholders, and a positive reputation for engaging and motivating staff.  The successful candidate will also possess the ability to link services and projects to the County’s Community Vision and Strategic Plan, have proven innovation, strategic business planning and budget planning capabilities, and the desire to make a positive contribution, working in a collaborative environment.

Key responsibilities include:

Provide senior leadership to the Legislative & Legal Services Department for the purpose of aligning services and programs with Council’s Strategic Plan, the Corporate Business Plan and Budget.  Supervise five direct reports: Manager of Legislative Services, Manager of Corporate Records and Information Governance, Manager of Governance Support Services, an in-house Counsel, and a Legal and Legislative Administrator.
Lead development and implementation of the Department’s mandate, business plan, budget and human resource planning to ensure that the Legislative & Legal Services Department programs and services are closely linked with Strathcona County’s strategic direction, corporate business plans and County values and beliefs.
Provide expertise, guidance, and recommendations to the Chief Commissioner, Associate Commissioner, Executive team, Council and elected officials, and organizational leaders in all aspects of municipal governance.
Strategize, create and put into action aspects of the County’s Strategic Plan and, in particular, the Governance Sustainability Pillar, in a way that is most effective in ensuring that Council and administration fulfil their commitment to effective governance, decision making and collaboration.
Participate in the County’s senior leadership team to ensure the development and success of the overall corporation.  As a member of this group, champion and support all County initiatives.
Integrate and direct several major and diverse functions that impact all departments of the County including provision of legal services (both in-house and external), clerk function, access and privacy, records management, election and census, municipal policy program and services to Council in support of effective decision-making; determine priorities, program objectives and development of policy options; ensure the Department delivers effective and efficient customer services within its mandate for program delivery.
Delegated signing authority to execute legal documents, bylaws and minutes on behalf of the municipality; appointed by bylaw as Returning Officer for the municipality.
Fulfill the statutory duties of Clerk for Strathcona County Council for the purpose of ensuring Council fulfills its lawful obligations, statutory duties and performs its functions and activities in accordance with the law.  Ensure that all meetings of Council are validly constituted and meet all requirements of the Municipal Government Act and that all decisions of Council are fully and accurately recorded to openness and transparency in the decision making process.
Responsible for the in-house provision of legal and legal-related services including ad hoc legal advice, legal research, opinions, contract drafting and negotiations, bylaw and policy development and review, statutory or legislative interpretation to Council, the Chief Commissioner, Executive Team, Directors and other County employees.
Make policy recommendations to Council with respect to Council governance and meeting procedures; and make recommendations on governance issues to individual members of Council as well as to Council as a whole.
Ensure that policies are in compliance with all statutory or legal requirements and are an effective and defensible risk management tool in protecting the municipality from legal liability associated with the delivery of programs and services.
Research, develop and recommend to Council and Senior Leadership team the implementation of, or changes to, bylaws, policies and procedures with respect to municipal programs and services as required; review and advise management on legal implications of bylaws, policies and internal procedures.
Appointed as Returning Officer, responsible for the conduct of valid elections and by-elections for the municipality; negotiate and agree to agreements respecting the provision of election services to Schools Boards and, where appropriate, the Province.
Act as Chief Enumerator, responsible for the conduct of the municipal census.
Responsible for all aspects of the County’s Corporate Records and Information Management Program and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy program.
Work with Alberta Municipal Clerks Association; collaborate with Association membership in consultation with provincial government departments respecting amendments to Local Authorities Election Act.
Consultation with provincial government Municipal Affairs, municipal associations and organizations respecting review of and amendments to other significant legislative authorities including the Municipal Government Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

In addition to providing a dynamic working environment, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package working 35 hours per work week with some evening work required.  If you are interested in this permanent full time career opportunity, please send your resume quoting the competition number below.  Salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Thank you for your interest in Strathcona County. We contact only candidates selected for interviews.