04-12-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of City Council FROM: Chris Heineman, City Administrator DATE: April 12, 2023 RE: Community Relations Manager Position ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED Consider creation of Community Relations Manager Position BACKGROUND The City of Little Canada contracted with DDA Human Resources to conduct an Organizational Study in 2022 which was finalized in March of 2023. As part of this study, the consultant provided an analysis of City services and the City’s current and future staffing needs with attention to current communication and community engagement and outreach responsibilities. The consultant also provided analysis on the staffing needs of the organization now and in the future with particular attention to what position(s) have responsibility for community engagement and outreach. Based on the feedback analysis of the consultant, one of the primary recommendations identified to address current staffing challenges was to hire a full-time position focused on communications and community engagement to perform duties related to communications and project management. The position would include coordination of the quarterly newsletter, administering the City website through working with departments to add and create content, and administering all social media accounts. These duties currently reside with the Parks and Recreation/Community Services Director. Following the adoption of the final report from DDA Human Resources, staff members met to discuss how this recommended position would fit into our current organizational structure. The staff leadership team reviewed fourteen position descriptions related to communications and community engagement and created a Community Relations Manager position description that addresses the needs specific to the City of Little Canada. A copy of the draft position description is attached for your review. This position would address both ongoing and increasing communication needs and many additional duties and responsibilities that are outlined in the City of Little Canada’s 2022 Strategic Plan. The creation of this position also adheres to the 5-year Strategic Plan adopted in 2019. By establishing a Community Relations Manager position, we would be creating additional operational efficiencies and align with the strategic initiative of optimizing our organizational structure. Based on the broad duties and responsibilities included in the position description, staff is recommending that the Community Relations Manager position be classified in Grade 10 or 11 on the City’s current wage scale. Grade 11 is the same grade as the City Clerk/Human Resource Manager, Parks & Recreation/Community Service Director, and Community Development Director positions.