Job description

Supervisor-Elect Ray Mueller for San Mateo County’s District 3 is seeking well-qualified applicants for the position of Legislative Policy Aide.

The Supervisor-Elect will take office in January 2023 and is seeking an experienced Legislative Policy Aide to become part of his team of committed public servants.

Working with the Supervisor and his Chief of Staff, the Legislative Policy Aide will provide the Supervisor

with policy analysis within specified issue areas which may include evaluating budgetary, legislative, and community impacts, and will develop recommendations for the Supervisor’s consideration.

The Legislative Policy Aide will also attend public meetings to track the operations of related government and community-based organizations, ranging from local, county, regional, state, and federal government entities to special districts and nonprofit organizations. The Policy Aide may attend several meetings per week and participate on the Supervisor’s behalf. The Policy Aide may also organize and prepare meetings/agenda packets for the Supervisor, relevant to committees and subcommittees.

Community outreach will also be part of the duties of the job including providing support to the Supervisor at meetings and events, attending meetings and events on behalf of the Supervisor, identifying collaborative opportunities within the community, and maintaining positive working relationships with constituents and stakeholder groups within the district. The Legislative Policy Aide will also draft constituent correspondence and provide content for the Supervisor’s newsletters and website.

In addition, the Legislative Policy Aide will have the opportunity to provide constituent services and casework management by responding to constituents seeking help or assistance and by providing information and facilitating communication with relevant County agencies and departments.

This unique opportunity will allow a qualified individual to contribute their experience and expertise to the political process in San Mateo County.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

The ideal candidate for this position will have at least three years of direct or indirect experience working with a business, governmental, political, or legislative organization, one year of which included extensive policy research.  A relevant educational background could be substituted for some of the work experience.

Characteristics and skills imperative for success in the position include, but are not limited to:

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Organizational proficiency, including the abilities to prioritize, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to quickly read and summarize a significant volume of complex information.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team.
• Creative thinking and clear articulation.
• Schedule flexibility – occasional evenings and weekends are required.
• General knowledge of local, state, and federal government and the role and basic functions of county government in California.

Additionally, the ideal candidatewill:

• Be curious about the political process and eager to contribute to a well-functioning office.
• Have knowledge of the purpose and structure of County government.
• Possess a demonstrated history or interest in issues relevant to the needs of District 3 constituents.
• Be highly enthusiastic about the important work at hand.
• Be adept at energetically handling the “behind the scenes” details.
• Feel comfortable in the public spotlight when representing the Supervisor at public engagements.
• Possess a demonstrated ability to work with multicultural constituents and groups.
• Be extremely professional, courteous, and punctual.
• Demonstrate absolute discretion in all matters.
• Serve with integrity and a commitment to public service.
• Have demonstrated diplomacy skills, including strong listening skills, tact, and patience.
• Possess a strong work ethic and successful work history.
• Take direction well and execute accordingly with little oversight.
• Possess superior writing and oral communication skills.
• Be self-motivated.
• Have bilingual skills in Spanish (preferred, but not required).
• Have a demonstrated history of success working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Enjoy coordinating community events.

The Legislative Aide position is a full-time, unclassified, at-will position.  This position will not lead to full-time, permanent (classified) employment with the County.  Ideally, the person hired for this position will work with the Supervisor throughout his tenure with the County.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Three years of direct or indirect experience working with a governmental, political, or legislative organization, one year of which included responsibility for research.

Licensure/Certification:

• Some positions require possession of a class C California driver license or equivalent.

Knowledge of:

• Research techniques and processes.
• Purpose and structure of County government.
• Current issues affecting the public and County government.
• Legislative processes affecting local government.

Skill/Ability to:

• Research and analyze complex information.
• Interact with a wide variety of people.
• Listen sensitively and accurately, and exercise tact, patience, and diplomacy.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement plans and programs.
• Utilize the appropriate interpersonal style and methods of communication to gain acceptance, cooperation, or agreement of a plan, activity, and/or program idea.
• Prepare narrative and statistical reports.
• Represent the Supervisor under diverse circumstances and prepare and deliver oral presentations to small and large groups.
• Be flexible and adaptable.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Explain and interpret policies, laws, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Lift and carry heavy items (such as boxes of materials or equipment) to and from events.

ABOUT SUPERVISOR-ELECT MUELLER

Ray Mueller was elected to represent District 3 on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in the November 2022 General Election. Previously, Supervisor-Elect Mueller served ten years as a Menlo Park City Councilmember, holding the title of Mayor twice.

Supervisor-Elect Mueller attended the University of California, Berkeley, College of Natural Resources as an undergraduate and received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. While studying in law school, he interned at the California Office of Legislative Counsel in Sacramento. He holds a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University’s online platform, eCornell

ABOUT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
In brief, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors:

• Sets legislative policy for the efficient administration of County government and the delivery of services to the residents of San Mateo County.
• Exercises legislative and quasi-judicial authority to promote and protect the public health, welfare, and safety of the residents of the County.
• Serves as the governing body for the Housing Authority and 47 Special Districts; and consists of five members who are elected to four-year terms, who may serve a maximum of three consecutive elected terms.

ABOUT DISTRICT 3

District 3 includes cities of Atherton, southeast Belmont, Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, Portola Valley, San Carlos and Woodside. The district also includes Unincorporated Devonshire Canyon, El Granada, Emerald Lake Hills, Harbor Industrial Park, La Honda, Ladera, Loma Mar, Los Trancos Woods, Miramar, Montara, Moss Beach, Palomar Park, Pescadero, Princeton By-The-Sea, San Gregorio, Skyline, Skylonda, Stanford Lands, Vista Verde and West Menlo Park.

ABOUT SAN MATEO COUNTY
Life in San Mateo County provides a picturesque setting, combined with an incredible array of activities which truly represent the California lifestyle at its finest. Bordered on the west by the majestic Pacific Ocean, to the north by San Francisco, to the east by the scenic San Francisco Bay, and to the south by world-famous Silicon Valley, San Mateo County offers a wide range of recreation, economic opportunities, and attractions. The 765,000 residents of the County enjoy a diverse, multicultural population, cosmopolitan ambiance, temperate climate, clean air, rural open space, and a geographic location in the heart of the San Francisco Peninsula. San Mateo County government provides a full range of services with a workforce of approximately 5600 employees in 22 agencies and departments, and a budget of $3.8 billion.

APPLICATION/EXAMINATION

Anyone may apply.  This is a full-time, unclassified, at-will position. This position will not lead to full-time, permanent (classified) employment with the County.  Ideally, the person hired for this position will work with the Supervisor throughout his tenure with the County.

Applications for this position will only be accepted online through the County of San Mateo website. 

The application packet will consist of the County of San Mateo Employment Application form along with:

• A Cover Letter
• Your Resume
• Relevant Writing Sample (optional)
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

If you are currently on the Human Resources webpage, you may click on the ‘Apply’ button to complete the application process.  Otherwise, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $91,395.20 - $102,190.40 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Redwood City, CA 94063: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Public speaking: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

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