JOB DESCRIPTION - Councillor

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION - Councillor January, 2018 This job description summarizes the responsibilities, qualifications, time requirements and working conditions related to this position. This job description is not about the person but rather about the position. Job Title: Report to Title: Councillor Council POSITION DETAILS Position status: Elected Department: Council Pay method (Salary or Hourly): Salary ($11, ) Group Benefits: rmal workweek: Variable Overtime: On Call: Township of South-West Oxford Vision/Mission Statement A leader in the development and delivery of municipal services for the growth and well being of our community. A RESPONSIBILITIES (includes accountabilities) In accordance with Section 224 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the role of Council as a whole is as follows: It is the role of council: (a) to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality; (b) to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality; (c) to determine which services the municipality provides; (d) to ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of council; (d.1) to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality; (e) to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and

2 2 (f) to carry out the duties of council under this or any other Act. 2001, c. 25, s. 224; 2006, c. 32, Sched. A, s. 99. In addition to the legislative requirements of Council, responsibilities of members of Council include, Ward Leadership To lead and champion the interests of the local community and effectively represent the interests of the ward and its constituents. To meet and liaise with local interested parties and involve and consult them on key Council decisions. To support and promote citizenship locally and empower the community to participate in the governance of the area. To undertake case work for constituents and act as an advocate in resolving concerns or grievances. To communicate with local people and answer enquiries about decisions that affect them, about opportunities in the community, regarding the rights of constituents within the municipality, and as to why decisions are made. Local Participation To participate constructively in the good governance of the area. To use influence as an elected representative to develop links between groups and communities in the ward and local area. To forge local partnerships to ensure resources are used to meet the needs of the area. Corporate Representation To inform the debate at full Council meetings and contribute to the effectiveness of the Council meeting as the focus of visible leadership. To contribute to the formation and scrutiny of Council s policies, budget, strategies and service delivery for the Township. To contribute to the scrutiny of decision making and review of the policies and services of the Council and Township. To represent the authority to the community and the community to the Council. To develop and maintain a knowledge of the Council and develop working relationships with its officers. To represent the Council on outside bodies and to participate effectively in the appointed role, where appropriate. Corporate Governance To make decisions in the best interest of the Township. Decisions may be difficult and at times may be in conflict with your Ward priorities but in your opinion, are in the best interest of the Township as a whole. To act in accordance with the Code of Conduct and with regard for any other local requirements placed on Councillors.

3 3 Learning and Development 1. To be responsible for personal development and undergo appropriate development and continuous improvement for any role undertaken. Time Commitment: Township of South-West Oxford Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month, except for the months of July and August, where the schedule is modified to meet only on the first Tuesday of each month. On the first Tuesday of each month, Council meetings start at 9:00 a.m.; on the third Tuesday of each month, Council meetings start at 7:00 p.m. This equates to 22 regular Council meetings per year lasting from one hour to three or more hours each meeting. All members of Council are required to attend Council meetings. Special meetings of Council may be called as required, usually when an issue cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting or for special topics or projects. Council members are also appointed to various committees of Council, meetings for which the Councillor is required to attend, participate in the planning and execution of committee events, and report back to Council. Each member of Council is typically appointed to at least one or two additional Committees. These committees may be established by the Township Council, or they may belong to other organizations to which the Township has been requested to appoint a member. The commitment to these meetings varies depending on the nature of the committee, but normally would require attendance at one additional meeting per month requiring anywhere from one to three hours. Throughout the year there may be Public Consultation and Public Events that the Township hosts or partners with outside organizations. These events may be held on a wide variety of topics impacting the community, holidays or special events, as required. It is not mandatory that members of Council attend these public events, however they provide an opportunity for Council to connect with and hear from members of the public. There is no set schedule for these events as they are held as needed. The Township hosts, and members of Council are expected to participate in, the Township Council/Staff Christmas Luncheon and the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch/Dinner. Council members may also receive invitations to receptions, open houses, conferences, celebrations, concerts, annual general meetings and other community events. Council members are also approached quite often by individuals who want to address a problem or concern and this can happen while grocery shopping or out and about in and outside the community. Council also receive numerous s and phone calls, which can happen during the day, evening, and weekend. Some of these they may be able to manage themselves while others may need to be referred to Township staff for a response. Council members can expect to spend a considerable amount of time reviewing reports, s, and correspondence that comes to and through the Township. These materials form the basis of the discussions to be held at Council and Committee meetings. Members must be able to commit the time necessary to read and understand the information presented, and to ask

4 4 questions or get clarification on issues presented so they can comfortably and confidently speak to the issues. The Township is working towards a paperless system and provides members of Council with an ipad to allow them to receive and view most documents digitally. Agendas for Council meetings are sent out electronically via . Access to meeting agendas and minutes are also available on the Township s website. Health and Safety Everyone at the Township of South-West Oxford has a responsibility to work in a healthy and safe manner and to follow all Township Health and Safety Guidelines (policies and procedures). B QUALIFICATIONS In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, a person may be elected or appointed to office, if, He or she is qualified to hold office under the Act that creates it; and He or she is not ineligible under the Municipal Elections Act or otherwise prohibited by law to be nominated for or to hold office. A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in a local municipality if, on voting day, he or she, (a) resides in the local municipality or is the owner or tenant of land there, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; (b) is a Canadian citizen; (c) is at least 18 years old; and (d) is not prohibited from voting under subsection (3) or otherwise by law. (3) The following are prohibited from voting: 1. A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution. 2. A corporation. 3. A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in subsection 90 (3), if voting day in the current election is less than five years after voting day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.

5 5 If a municipality is divided into wards, a person is eligible to be nominated for an office in an election in any ward of the municipality. If a person who has been nominated for an office is nominated for another office to which the Municipal Elections Act applies, the first nomination shall be deemed to have been withdrawn at the time the second nomination is filed. If a person is nominated for and his or her name appears on the ballots for more than one office and he or she is elected to any of those offices, his or her election is void and the office is vacant. An employee of a municipality or local board is eligible to be a candidate for and to be elected as a member of the council or local board that is the employer if he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning as of the day the employee is nominated and ending on voting day. If the employee is elected to the office, he or she shall be deemed to have resigned from the employment immediately before making the declaration of office. A member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario or the Senate or House of Commons of Canada is not ineligible to be nominated for an office in an election by virtue of being a member of any of those bodies but, if the person is a member of any of those bodies as of the close of nominations on nomination day of the election, the nomination shall be rejected by the clerk. C EFFORT & WORKING CONDITIONS 1) Physical Effort and Environment Low physical effort in a pleasant environment (office). 2) Mental Effort and Environment Medium mental attention and concentration required in a medium stress environment. Ensuring accuracy and understanding in completing tasks and communicating.