Specialist, Corporate Policy - BIS

Job Summary

The Specialist, Corporate Policy, under the supervision of the Manager, Business Improvement Services, will administer the City's Corporate Policies and Procedures Program.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer the City's Corporate Policies and Procedures Program that reflects the public interest, Council priorities and the City’s Strategic Plan.
• Complete in-depth research & analysis and benchmarking to ensure policies are accurate, adhere to and align with existing legislation, City By-Laws and policies and that they are necessary, clearly understood and enforceable.
• Coordinate the assigned scheduled reviews of existing Policies to ensure they remain current and continue to reflect applicable legal requirements and City procedures.
• Maintain policies and comply with the processes and approvals as outlined in the Corporate Policies & Procedures Program Policy.  
• Partner with interested parties (Commissioner, Director and Senior Managers) across the City in in an efficient, effective, and timely manner, to develop and revise Policies which are aligned with the City's strategic objectives and current practices and procedures.
• Maintain complete documentation of all policies, both electronic and paper, including decisions made; relevant research; committee minutes; reports; and correspondence.
• Responsible to ensure that policies comply with applicable legislation e.g. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA); Employment Standards Act (ESA); Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and City by-laws.
• Participate as a Core Team Member in the creation/review of Corporate Policies (for multiple policies simultaneously).
• Comply with relevant City policies and Legislative requirements.
• Provide consultation and business advice to Divisional Management Teams and Directors as requested.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

Skills and Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree/diploma in a field related to writing or research, or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent with an emphasis on corporate policy and research in a government or business setting.
• Minimum 3 years of experience related to policy and/or compliance (municipal or public sector experience preferred).
• Excellent technical writing skills, capable of expressing complex ideas in a simple, clear, and accurate manner. Superior report writing abilities with a focus on creating clear, concise policies, and reports, paying close attention to detail.
• Excellent record keeping skills.
• Strong ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and collaboratively with individuals from various work units and across different departments within the Corporation. In-depth understanding of the organizational structure of City departments and elected officials, including the working relationships between them.
• Proficient in effectively organizing meetings, including running focused meetings to prevent circular conversations and ensure decision-making. Skilled in facilitation, adept at leading meetings with diverse groups at all management levels.
• Possess strong coaching abilities to assist staff in policy interpretation and understanding the policy's intent. Mediation skills to be utilized during meetings to encourage constructive discussions, consider various inputs, and seek compromises that align with all interested parties' interests.
• Strong presentation skills, including interacting with diverse audiences like the Leadership Team and/or the City Manager. Capable of providing concise verbal responses with appropriate background information.
• Demonstrates excellent oral communication, accurately reading both verbal and non-verbal cues and selecting the most suitable communication tactic/style for the audience.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and seek updates from interested parties as required.
• Participate in public meetings that deal with public-facing policies and initiatives.