Position Summary:
The Senior Legislative Officer serves as a subject matter expert and operational lead within Legislative Services, providing procedural, administrative, and technical support to elected officials, senior leadership, and internal departments on governance matters, municipal legislation, and corporate policy. The role exercises a high degree of independence, judgment, and discretion, leads complex governance files, and acts as a resource and back-up to the Manager of Legislative Services. This position plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of the City’s legislative processes, records, and decision-making framework in a dynamic and evolving governance environment.
Key Accountabilities:
· Coordinate the full lifecycle of Council committees, including agenda planning, submission review, package compilation, distribution, meeting support, minutes preparation, and records finalization.
· Prepare, review, and publish agendas, minutes, notices, resolutions, and related meeting materials in accordance with legislative requirements, procedure bylaws, and internal timelines.
· Review reports and supporting materials for completeness, format, quality, and compliance prior to submission for Council or committee consideration.
· Draft and revise municipal bylaws, corporate policies, and administrative procedures.
· Identify gaps in current policy and bylaw frameworks, lead the development of legislative solutions, and ensure drafts meet legal and procedural standards before submission for legal review or Council consideration.
· Oversee the administration of meeting management technology and related digital platforms, ensuring accurate document management, public posting, and workflow integrity; escalate or lead resolution of complex or recurring technical issues.
· Track resolutions, referrals, and action items arising from meetings and coordinate follow-up to support timely implementation and an accurate corporate record.
· Conduct legislative, procedural, and background research to support governance matters, report recommendations, policy development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
· Liaise with elected officials, leadership, report writers, administrative staff, boards and committees, and members of the public regarding meeting processes, participation requirements, records, and legislative services procedures.
· Lead the organization’s report writing program, including developing and maintaining templates and guidelines, delivering training and workshops for staff, and providing direct coaching and editorial feedback to report writers to ensure submissions meet Council’s standards for clarity, accuracy, and completeness.
· Support the Manager of Legislative Services in the administration of access to information and privacy inquires, provide day-to-day guidance to staff on Access to Information Act (ATIA) and Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) matters, and act as departmental lead in the Manager’s absence.
· Provide day-to-day guidance, work review, and mentorship to Legislative Services staff, supporting their professional development and contributing to a high-performing team.
· Support statutory and corporate initiatives such as elections, by-elections, census activities, access and privacy requests, and legislative process improvement projects as required.
· Perform other related duties consistent with the scope and level of the position.
Qualifications and Competencies:
· Diploma or degree in public administration, local government administration, business administration, political science, legal studies, communications, or a related field.
· Minimum five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in legislative services, governance administration, records administration, or a related municipal or public sector environment, including demonstrated experience leading complex governance files, drafting bylaws and policies, and handling sensitive or high stakes matters with independence.
· Knowledge of municipal governance, public meeting procedures, and applicable Alberta legislation, including the Municipal Government Act and relevant access and privacy requirements.
· Experience preparing and reviewing agendas, minutes, bylaws, policies, notices, reports, and official records with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
· Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply legislation, procedure bylaws, and corporate policies while exercising advanced judgment, tact, discretion, and political acuity in a complex and public-facing, and politically sensitive environment, including the ability to navigate competing interests and provide objective, evidence-based advice.
· Strong organizational, analytical, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent files, urgent timelines, and evening meeting requirements.
· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships, provide guidance to internal stakeholders, and work confidently with elected officials, senior leaders, staff, and the public.
· Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using meeting management, records management, and document control systems; experience with eScribe or similar software is an asset.
· Ability to handle confidential, sensitive, and legally protected information with professionalism and discretion.
· Completion of, or willingness to pursue, a Certificate in Local Government Administration CLGM designation, or relevant municipal clerk or legislative services certification is considered an asset.
Working Conditions:
This position is primarily office-based and requires extended periods of computer work, concentration, and document review. Regular attendance at daytime and evening Council and committee meetings is required, and work outside regular business hours should be expected during peak legislative periods, statutory processes, or when covering for the Manager of Legislative Services.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required for the position.
Union: Exempt
Position Type: Full-time/Permanent
Location: City Hall, City of Chestermere
Pay: $49,036.51-$182,267.59 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
