As the new city manager continues to adjust to her position, she's making changes to the city hall structure.
The city is advertising for a communications director, which would be an addition to the executive team, which currently consists of six other senior department heads.
"A key role in planning and engaging external and internal constituents is having a senior communications leader to assist me, the city administration, and mayor and council," said Beth James, who has been city manager since May 1.
The new director will report to the city manager and have two positions that report to them. Among the advertised responsibilities of this "high profile" position include liaising with the media and government agencies, conducting research and leading activities to enhance public engagement.
Other members of the city's executive, such as the directors of the planning and protective services divisions, received salaries upwards of $100,000 last year. The union exempt position is not advertised with a pay grade, other than to say it offers a competitive salary.
"My goals and objectives are to work with city administration to provide high-quality services at the lowest possible cost," said James.
Last month, the city took their social media accounts offline while they reviewed their communications strategy. The new director will work "with the executive team to determine the requirements to ensure proactive communication and engagement with citizens, the community and city employees is a priority," said James.
Two communications-related positions were eliminated in the 28 roles cut by the city in a round of layoffs last January - a quality engagement specialist and multimedia co-ordinator.
Since last year, the role of communications and citizen engagement manager has been handled by Chris Bone, who juggles those duties alongside her previous focus on social development. The city also employs a communications assistant.
James said she's still working with the executive to understand their roles and the structure of the city departments and that while understanding the culture and systems currently in place is a priority for her, she has made "small staffing changes to recognize responsibility of work and scope of roles."
The city's legislative services manager was recently made a director and the department internally filled a separate deputy corporate officer position - the responsibilities of which had previously been tacked on to another role.
James said the city doesn't comment on the specifics of employment.
