City Clerk at City of Red Deer

The Organization

Phelps Group, a national leader in executive search, is proud to represent the City of Red Deer on their search for their next Municipal City Clerk.

The Opportunity

• Title: City Clerk
• Reports To: Executive Advisor, Enterprise Strategy, Governance and Alignment
• Direct Reports: 9 team members, including the Deputy City Clerk and Advisor/Coordinator teams
• Location: Red Deer, Alberta
• Work Style: In-office
• Travel Requirements: Very limited to none
• Relocation Assistance: Available for the right candidate

Mandate

The City Clerk is a senior statutory officer responsible for stewarding the City’s legislative framework, supporting democratic decision-making, and ensuring the integrity, transparency, and effectiveness of Council and committee processes. The role provides professional leadership to the Legislative Services section, fostering technical excellence, consistent legislative practices, and a respectful and positive work environment. Working within a complex political environment, the City Clerk provides objective, neutral, and non-partisan governance and procedural advice to City Council, the City Manager, Administration, and the public.

Key Accountabilities

LEGISLATIVE-CORPORATE MEETINGS

• The City Clerk is responsible for Corporate Meeting processes including meetings of Council and Council Committees.
• Ensures The City’s responsibilities under the Municipal Government Act and Procedure Bylaw related to Council and Committee Meetings are reviewed, adhered to and documented.
• Attends all Council meetings and records the proceedings and Council decisions to serve as permanent records.
• Maintains Council’s bylaws, minutes and bylaw registry in compliance with legislation
• Serves as the City’s Parliamentarian providing expert procedural advice to Council, Committees and Administration that accurately interprets legislation, Roberts Rules of Order, best practices and customs
• Leads the Council Agenda Review Committee and prepares Council agendas in conjunction with the Mayor and City Manager.
• In consultation with City Solicitor, interprets legislation, bylaws and policies in relation to issues that affect The City.
• Interprets Robert’s Rules of Order and how it applies to Council, Council committees.

QUASI-JUDICIAL TRIBUNALS

• Serves as the Clerk of the Subdivision Development Appeal Board and the Clerk of the Assessment Review Board;
• Ensures officers supporting The City’s quasi-judicial tribunals are fully qualified through regular training and education;
• Ensures the legislative requirements of the Tribunal Boards and related bylaws are reviewed, adhered to and documented.
• Obtains independent legal advice when requested by the Boards;
• Recommend to the City Manager and Council changes to committees including formation and disbanding

ELECTIONS & CENSUS

• Serves as the Returning Officer for Elections and By-Elections, and as Chief Enumerator for Census
• Acts as the independent Returning Officer for the conduct of the legislated municipal/school election processes.
• Performs all legislative duties to deliver elections, by-elections, referendums and plebiscites for The City of Red Deer and its elections partners.
• Leads a team of staff responsible for the delivery of election and/or census events
• Serves as the primary media contact related to elections and census
• Makes recommendations to City Council regarding changes to bylaws or legislation related to elections.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES INCLUDING CORPORATE, LEADERSHIP & HEALTH & SAFETY FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a Corporate Signing authority, Commissioner for Oaths and presides over the corporate seal
• Ensures appropriate legislative records management, including overseeing the adoption, amendment and consolidation processes for bylaws and review and approval of all process handbooks related to the Legislative Services department.
• Responsible for the storage, safeguarding and inventory or corporate records and city contracts
• Hires, trains, supervises, disciplines, reviews and evaluates the work of staff within the legislative services section.
• Focuses on effective team building, conflict resolution, reaching consensus for best results while mentoring and coaching employees.
• Guides staff and organizations in implementing a community development approach to service delivery.
• Participate in, support, and comply with the city’s health and safety program and initiatives (e.g., training, inspections, meetings, hazard assessments, incident reporting, emergency drills), policies and procedures (including any applicable and adopted industry best practices and the occupational health and safety act, regulations and code).

Candidate Profile

Education

• University Degree in Law, Political Science, Public Administration or other related discipline. Equivalent education qualifications will be considered.
• Municipal Government education such as National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration Level I and II
• Assessment Review Board Clerk Certification
• Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Clerk Certification
• Training in Robert’s Rules of Order and parliamentary procedures;
• Professional designations such as a Certified Municipal Clerk or Registered Parliamentarian

Experience

• Ten years of progressively responsible supervisory/leadership experience in a fast-paced municipal or equivalent setting
• Thorough experience understanding legislation and extensive knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, Access to Information Act and Protection of Privacy Act, and Local Authorities Election Act.
• Thorough knowledge of processes related to the administration of bylaws
• Quasi-Judicial experience will be considered an asset
• Elections expertise will be considered an asset
• Previous experience supervising staff in a unionized environment

To apply for this key role, please fill out the application form below.

AI will not be used in the candidate screening process.

This is an existing position with a current vacancy.