City of Merritt Looking for Director of Corporate Services at Merritt, British Columbia, Canada Full Time

Merritt is a small, caring, resilient city located in the stunning Nicola Valley of BC. We are surrounded by a spectacular sprawling rugged landscape at the hub of the Coquihalla highway mountain pass. Living in Merritt, you’ll find short commutes, big city amenities and an abundance of outdoor and indoor recreation and leisure amenities for all ages and preferences.

Working at the City of Merritt, you’ll join a team of caring coworkers and innovative roll-up-your-sleevers who are passionate about public service and determined to make a difference. Whether we’re delivering essential services, running community recreation programs, or more, our team takes pride in helping Merritt to be an attractive, sustainable, healthy and safe small city. We work together to build a respectful and inclusive workplace that reflects our values and the community we serve.

The Opportunity

The City of Merritt has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Corporate Services. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), this position is a member of the senior leadership team. The Director works in collaboration with other department heads to coordinate efficient and effective municipal services that align with the Council’s vision and official community plan. As a member of the senior leadership team, this role is a key contributor to fostering a service-oriented, values-guided respectful and inclusive organization.

A primary function of this role is to lead the Corporate Services department, a team of professionals who provide corporate services, communications, I.T., bylaw and protective services. This role is also responsible for fulfilling the statutory Corporate Officer duties, advising Council on complex legal and procedural matters, liaising between the elected Council and the public, serving as the Chief Election Officer and providing records management throughout the organization.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, support, coaching and guidance for the Corporate Services team of professionals ensuring the team has the resources and support to deliver competent professional services
• Develops and maintains internal and external relationships with partners, rights holders, stakeholders, residents and the public.
• Oversees the City’s information technology and related systems, and provides business analysis regarding information systems, their impact, and their support for the City.
• Fulfills the requirements of the Corporate Officer under section 148 of the Community Charter.
• Prepares bylaws, policies, agreements, council reports, legal contracts and public correspondence
• Oversees the records management processes and programs
• Oversees the agenda for Council meetings, and prepares reports, presentations and correspondence
• Provides sound advice that ensures the City of Merritt and Council comply with relevant legislation, including compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Manages legal counsel processing and litigation related to the City of Merritt
• Oversee the organization’s records management policies and practices

Requirements

• A degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field, supplemented with progressive experience at a leadership level in a local government organization. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• Leads others, creates a climate in which people want to do their best, relates purpose to the work being done, and formulates challenging and engaging work. Listen, build trust, construct effective teams, grow relationships, and supports staff by providing adequate resources
• Leads self, demonstrates self-awareness, actively seeks opportunities for personal learning, character building and growth, takes responsibility for own performance and health, models qualities such as integrity, resilience
• Develops and maintains professional relationships inside and outside of the organization. Able to contribute to workplace well-being, inclusion, fosters trust, ensures others feel valued and provides purposeful feedback
• Able to apply rigour and logic to solve problems, displays a broad knowledge and perspective, and proactively generates new ideas and concepts. Seeks learning and input from others, collaborate, and recognizes impact. Changes direction or perspective when presented with new evidence and appropriate
• Outcome Oriented, possesses the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job, including a thorough working knowledge of local government administration, procedures and statutory responsibilities. Meets goals and timelines, sets stretch objectives, and coaches others through ambiguity. Facilitates the exchange of ideas and application of best practices
• Effective communication skills, demonstrates tact and diplomacy working with elected officials, rights holders, media and other stakeholders, including employees and the public. Listens to different perspectives and communicates appropriately with the audience. Experience in negotiating and resolving legal matters related to local government operations
• Customer driven, recognizes and values the importance of customers, including the public, residents and others we serve. Seeks solutions for diverse stakeholders
• Confident in making decisions, determining alternate solutions, challenging past practices and other assumptions, saying what is required in a constructive manner, keeps desired results in mind when having difficult conversations
• Demonstrates the ability to learn and grow, resilience, adapts to and champions change, and embraces a spirit of continuous improvement. Encourages and applies upward feedback.

Benefits

We offer you a Total Rewards package with

• Competitive salaries
• Extended Healthcare Plan (Medical, Disability, Dental & Vision)
• MPP Pension Plan contributions
• Group Life – AD&D – Critical Illness Insurance
• Opportunities for learning & development
• Well-being benefits, including paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Exclusive perks