Rocky View County values our employees and provides a welcoming and stable work environment where positive energy, creativity, and a service mindset are encouraged. We seek individuals who enjoy making a difference and contributing meaningfully to a vibrant community. Our valued and diverse team of 500+ employees are provided with the same concern, respect, and caring attitude as the 45,000 people who call Rocky View County home.
At Rocky View County we value employee work/life balance. Staff are provided with opportunities to grow professionally while being supported with paid training, a competitive salary, benefits after 30 days, 27 paid days off in their first year, plus general holidays, a pension plan, paid sick time, and a hybrid work environment for eligible positions.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Manager, Intergovernmental Services & Economic Development, this senior level position is responsible for a wide range of duties related to fostering strong intergovernmental and inter-organizational relationships including advising Reeve, Council, and senior leadership. This position requires a high degree of professionalism, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects in addition to daily tasks. This role requires flexibility and adaptability to respond effectively to frequently changing priorities and needs. The Intergovernmental Strategist is responsible for mentoring and reviewing the work of intermediate and junior staff, working as a team to accomplish the intergovernmental duties of the department, and supporting the Manager.
Core Accountabilities
- Manage, develop, and maintain the County’s inter-municipal and inter-jurisdictional relationships with Provincial, Federal, and Indigenous governments, and intermunicipal neighbours. This includes meetings, phone calls, attendance at intergovernmental events, and liaising with administrative counterparts.
- Advise Council and executive leadership on regional and intergovernmental strategy through preparation of key messages, briefings, reports, and background documents.
- Monitor and review legislative / regulatory changes and ensure they are conveyed to the appropriate County departments for review and information.
- Participate in the interpretation of relevant Municipal or Provincial policy and regulations and the formulation of the County's response to changes in legislation.
- Manage and participate in projects such as annexation processes, mediations and negotiations.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to the Intergovernmental Advisor by answering questions, and reviewing works plans, documents, and reports.
- Review intergovernmental-related correspondence and determine level, prepare and manage responses.
- Guide and manage County advocacy efforts in accordance with Council direction through various means such as development of strategic initiatives, a County advocacy plan, and lobbying efforts.
- Prepare and monitor the implementation of Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICF) and maintain ICFs on an ongoing basis, including liaising with internal departments and intermunicipal counterparts.
- Manage representation and participation in activities related to the regional fora. This includes ensuring appropriate administrative participation and supporting elected representatives through preparation of briefing notes, gathering of information, and providing strategic advice. This also includes participating on sub-committees, reviewing material, research and analysis, and coordinating County responses.
- Represent Rocky View County at Intermunicipal Committee meetings and oversee meeting coordination by working with intermunicipal counterparts to create the agenda, brief elected officials, and follow-up on actions items.
- Build and enhance Rocky View County’s relationships with indigenous neighbours through various means such as preparation of an indigenous engagement plan and establishing and building relationships with indigenous administrations.
- Liaise and assist in the preparation, interpretation, and reviews of intermunicipal development plans.
- Prepare and present reports to Council and its committees regarding proposed and existing municipal policy.
- Prepare and present reports, materials, and opinions to other government and non-government agencies and committees.
- Support department managers and staff in intergovernmental activities including responding to referrals from internal departments and government agencies, attending meetings, and providing intergovernmental advice.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Position Requirements
Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., planning, public administration, political science), along with a minimum of 10 years progressively responsible and diversified experience in a municipal environment or related field. An alternate combination of education and experience may be considered. A Master’s degree in a related field is an asset.
- Strong collaborative, mediation, and negotiation skills and the ability to build consensus between multiple groups.
- Demonstrated problem solving skills.
- Leadership skills and experience mentoring and leading peers through informal means.
- Flexibility to alternate between technical and philosophical government responsibilities.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal, oral, presentation and written communication skills.
- Able to work independently or as part of a team to seek out and synthesize information resources in a clear and concise fashion.
- Understand and apply Provincial and Municipal policies, legislation, processes, and procedures.
- Work collaboratively with and communicate effectively and positively with other team members, departments, and external municipal and provincial government personnel.
- Possess and exhibit strong skills in presentations.
- Experience working with Indigenous groups.
- Experience preparing and implementing advocacy plans.
- Strong time management skills, able to effectively juggle multiple deadlines and tasks, and work within irregular and tight time frames.
- Able to make sound decisions by using rational and logical judgment that reflects an understanding of the consequences of decisions.
- Able to work under stressful conditions and to think and react quickly and effectively to problems that may arise from time to time.
- General understanding of planning principles as they relate to regional and municipal planning would be as asset.
- Previous related experience particularly in a public sector environment is preferred.
- Possess a valid class 5 driver's license.
