Council District 5 Office - Council Policy and Legislative Advisor (Unclassified)

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The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration.

The San José City Council consists of ten Councilmembers elected by district and a Mayor elected at-large, each for four-year terms. The Mayor and Council are responsible for representing the residents of San José, providing accountability, reviewing public policy and programs, and adopting those policies which best meet the needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses in San José.

The Office of Councilmember Peter Ortiz (District 5) is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Council Policy and Legislative Advisor to join a high-performing and community-centered team. This role offers the opportunity to engage directly with residents, shape local policy, and contribute meaningfully to initiatives that uplift East San José.

The Council Policy and Legislative Advisor position will provide administrative, constituent services, and legislative support for an elected official. This position requires a unique blend of policy acumen, community engagement skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities at once. The position typically requires researching and responding to inquiries from residents; drafting written communications involving strategy, policies and/or procedures on behalf of the elected official; and serving as the representative of the elected official regarding certain functions. These duties require an employee with strong and effective organizational skills; ability to handle multiple assignments; excellent written and oral communications skills, and the ability to develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with community members and neighborhood organizations, key stakeholders, and City staff.

Ideal candidates are solutions-oriented, thoughtful under pressure, and bring a high level of initiative, empathy, and follow-through. The position is well-suited for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative, and mission-driven environment, and who understands that effective public service often extends beyond traditional office hours. Candidates must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed, and as exempt management employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Position Duties

Policy and Legislative Duties

• Lead and manage assigned policy issue areas, including research, drafting legislation, and coordinating with City departments and stakeholders.
• Draft City Council agenda item, including memos, commendations, notes and resolutions.
• Track local, state, and federal policy issues affecting the district.
• Prepare reports and briefing materials to clearly communicate the Councilmember’s priorities and policy stances.
• Attend and represent the Councilmember in legislative meetings, policy briefings, and intergovernmental forums.

Communications and Public Relations

• Assist with crafting press releases and media advisories
• Draft talking points and speeches for the Councilmember for a wide range of events and topics.
• Coordinate media inquiries, statements, and crisis communications when necessary.
• Develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with community members and neighborhood organizations, key stakeholders, and City Staff.

Constituent and Community Engagement

• Serve as a primary liaison to neighborhood groups, advocacy organizations, and community-based partners.
• Respond promptly to constituent inquiries and casework, offering high-touch customer service and effective issue resolution.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies for hard-to-reach communities, including multilingual populations.
• Plan, organize, and execute community meetings, town halls, resource fairs, and other public events.
• Occasionally attend neighborhood meetings and weeknight & weekend events on behalf of the Councilmember.

Team Support and Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain strong internal office operations, including communication, scheduling, correspondence, and record keeping.
• Share office duties such as event facilitation, database upkeep, and resource table management.

Work collaboratively with a diverse, mission-driven team to support urgent priorities as they arise—potentially outside traditional hours

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in government, public service, community outreach, or customer service.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, with a demonstrated ability to write clearly, persuasively, and quickly for a variety of audiences and platforms.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including frequent evenings and weekends.

Other Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, or related field.
• A deep commitment to public service and social justice—especially for historically underserved communities.
• Bilingual proficiency (e.g., Spanish or Vietnamese) is highly desirable.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, respond quickly to changing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Experience facilitating public meetings and attending community events.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a flexible attitude and a willingness to contribute to a high-pressure, fast-moving work environment.

Familiarity with San José’s political, social, and cultural landscape—especially District 5

This is a full-time, at-will position that does not extend past the term of the elected official. The role is classified as exempt and is not eligible for overtime compensation. The position requires the disclosure of financial interests as specified by the City of San José. Flexibility, passion, and adaptability are essential.

Application Process

Applicants will be evaluated based on experience, communication skills, and commitment to public service. Candidates may be asked to provide:

• A writing sample (e.g., policy memo, op-ed, or speech)
• Samples of community engagement work or social media content
• Answers to job-specific questions regarding experience and work style
  • QUESTION 1 - Please describe your education and/or work experience and how you are a good fit for this position.
  • QUESTION 2 - Please describe your work style and the techniques you use to manage your responsibilities
  • QUESTION 3 - Please describe a specific example of a successful team experience, your role and responsibilities, and the technique you used to develop and maintain excellent working relationships, which resulted in the timely and effective delivery of a project, product, or service
  • QUESTION 4 - Writing Sample (Attach a copy along with resume)
  • QUESTION 5 - Samples of community engagement work or social media content (Attach a copy of the photos, pictures, etc along with resume)

Additional Information

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact charulatha.thiyagarajan @sanjoseca.gov .

This posting/recruitment will remain open until vacancy is filled. Applications are reviewed continuously; therefore, we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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