Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the temporary full-time (up to 3 years with the possibility of extension) position of Council Relations & Community Liaison in the Mayor’s Office.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

The Council Relations & Community Liaison serves as a critical connector between the Mayor’s Office, members of Regional Council, and communities across the municipality. This role helps ensure consistent, proactive communication, manages constituent inquiries, and facilitates meaningful engagement between the Mayor and the people of Halifax. It requires a relational mindset, an understanding of municipal governance, and the ability to navigate sensitive or complex dynamics with tact and integrity.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as the primary point of contact in the Mayor’s Office for Regional Council members, triaging requests and supporting timely follow-up.
• Coordinate briefing materials, responses, and background notes to support the Mayor’s participation in Council and Committee meetings.
• Track issues, inquiries, and emerging matters raised by Council or constituents; flag priorities for the Mayor and Chief of Staff.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with community leaders, neighbourhood organizations, and underrepresented groups.
• Attend public meetings, community events, and stakeholder sessions as a representative of the Mayor’s Office.
• Facilitate responses to constituent emails, calls, and letters in a manner that is clear, respectful, and service-oriented.
• Collaborate with HRM departments to track service-related issues raised by the public and provide appropriate updates.
• Maintain documentation, logs, and records of Council and community engagement activities.
• Support planning for site visits, public forums, and community-based outreach.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen two-way communication between residents and the Mayor’s Office, especially among equity-deserving communities.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:

• Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Community Development, Communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a stakeholder relations, government relations, public engagement, or customer service role — ideally in a municipal or political setting.

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of municipal governance, Council procedures, and public service processes
• Proven ability to build relationships and engage effectively with elected officials, departments, and diverse communities
• Excellent communication skills, including writing briefing materials and responding to public inquiries with professionalism
• Experience managing community outreach, public events, and constituent services with tact and discretion
• Proficient in digital tools, record-keeping, and cross-departmental coordination to support responsive service delivery

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must clearly demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please Note: Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge.

COMPETENCIES: Networking / Relationship Building, Organizational Awareness, Valuing Diversity, Analytical Thinking

WORK STATUS: Temporary full-time (up to 3 years)

HOURS OF WORK: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm, 35 hours per week. Flex options to work outside of these hours and hybrid may be available.

SALARY: $72,000 - $90,000 annually. Salary will be commensurate with education and years of applicable experience. The successful candidate will have the option to participate in HRM's benefit and pension plans.

WORK LOCATION: City Hall (1841 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS)

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Thursday, July 31, 2025

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview / testing will be contacted.

To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax