Jacksonville City Council Research Assistant

$51,872 - $64,987/Yr

City Of Jacksonville - Jacksonville, FL

Full-time - Entry Level

Jacksonville, FL

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Jacksonville City Council is seeking a Research Assistant to join its Research Division, tasked with providing high-quality public policy research and legislative process assistance to the City Council, its standing and special committees, individual City Council members, and appointed citizen boards and commissions. The role involves attending meetings and producing accurate minutes, analyzing and summarizing new legislation upon introduction, drafting resolutions for council members to honor significant individuals and events, and managing the database and processes related to City Council appointments to various citizen boards and commissions. Research Assistants are expected to conduct thorough and timely research on a wide range of topics upon request, which includes reviewing historical practices in Jacksonville and identifying best policies and practices from other jurisdictions primarily through internet searches. The position requires excellent writing and oral communication skills, the ability to read and comprehend complex policy and legal issues, and the capability to explain these issues clearly to diverse audiences. Additionally, the Research Assistant must independently prioritize projects and manage time effectively to complete multiple overlapping tasks within deadlines. Key responsibilities include attending committee meetings, taking and disseminating accurate meeting minutes, managing the council board/commission process, conducting policy research, drafting honorary resolutions and certificates, updating the research library and archives, and maintaining document accuracy in the Council Rules and Ordinance Code Supplements. The role demands a thorough understanding of local government administration principles and practices, as well as proficiency in using various computer software and tools relevant to the legislative process.

Responsibilities

• Attend committee meetings and take accurate minutes of proceedings.
• Analyze and summarize new legislation upon introduction.
• Draft resolutions for council members honoring significant persons, institutions, and events.
• Manage the database and process of City Council appointments to citizen boards and commissions.
• Conduct thorough research on a variety of public policy topics as requested by the City Council or individual members.
• Post all council-related public notices, minutes, and accompanying documents to the council's public notice webpage.
• Draft honorary resolutions and certificates upon request for council members.
• Update subject files in the research library and archives with relevant documents.
• Maintain and update the Council Rules and Ordinance Code Supplements as needed.

Requirements

• A five-year combination of education and professional experience in public administration, political science, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in public sector policy analysis or research.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to read, understand, summarize, and explain complex public policy documents.
• Proficiency in using computer equipment and applicable software for the legislative process.

Nice-to-haves

• A master's degree in public administration, political science, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in managing databases and public notices.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible scheduling options