AIDE TO COUNCILPERSON

Code: 00236@ Local Unclassified

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, acts as a personal aide and liaison between an elected official and public and/or various governmental agencies, and assists him by performing varied highly responsible administrative duties, some of which may be of a confidential nature; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Assists an elected official in the decision making process pertaining to municipal government by collecting and analyzing data from public records and other sources.
• Assists in the review of municipal policies and procedures by researching data and conducting field interviews.
• May act as liaison between the elected official and the public by meeting with local groups and representatives of governmental agencies and provides them with information.
• May represent the elected official at conferences or engagements or may accompany the official at these conferences.
• Assembles statistical and other materials required for reports, memoranda, and speeches.
• When so directed, takes appropriate action(s) to resolve any problems brought to the attention of the elected official.
• May conduct special investigations for the elected official.
• Maintains confidential, personal correspondence, and other records and files.
• Investigates activities to assure compliance with municipal and other laws, and gathers supporting facts and data.
• May assist in conducting studies or surveys of agency/department/program operations.
• Assists with the preparation of progress reports, reports of expenditures and research findings.
• Assists in reviewing and analyzing proposals before governing body to determine if benefits derived justify application.

Education

Graduation from a four (4) year course at an accredited college or university.

Applicants who do not meet the above educational requirement may substitute additional work experience as described below on a year for year basis.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience as an assistant to an executive or a administrative officer in a public or private organization.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of functions of public agencies.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures, and regulations relative to the work of municipal government.
• Knowledge of survey techniques and research methods.
• Knowledge of public information sources.
• Ability to understand and interpret basic laws and regulations pertaining to municipal regulations.
• Ability to abstract, analyze, and use statistics and numerical data.
• Ability to relate to people in order to tactfully acquire information and to answer inquiries.
• Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.