City Recorder

City Recorder

City of Aurora Oregon

21420 Main Street
Aurora, OR  97002

503.678.1283 office

503.678.2758 fax

www.ci.aurora.or.us

This organization is an equal opportunity provider

About Aurora’s City Government

The City of Aurora is a chartered home rule city with a strong Mayor form of government.  The City Council is comprised of a Mayor and four Councilors elected from the city at large.  The Mayor serves on an unpaid basis as the official conductor of business of the City.  The City Recorder position is established in the City Charter, and serves under the Mayor and City Council as the chief administrative officer.

The City Recorder is appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Council, and holds his or her office at the pleasure of the Council or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

The population of Aurora was 918 at the 2010 population.  The city’s current budget is just over $4.8 million.  In addition to the City Recorder the city currently has two other full-time positions that report to the Mayor: Finance Officer, Public Works Superintendent.  The City also has one full-time administrative assistant, who is supervised by the City Recorder.  The City also has a contract City Attorney, City Engineer and City Planner.

The Position
Under the City Charter, the City Recorder serves as the ex-officio clerk of the Council.  In addition, under the general supervision of the Mayor and City Council, the City Recorder is responsible for implementation of Council’s policy.  The City Recorder performs a high level of administrative, technical and professional work.  The City Recorder exercises direct supervision of all Administration, Community Development and Municipal Court employees, volunteers and City contractors with the exception of the Municipal Judge, Finance Officer, and Public Works personnel.  The City Recorder exercises fiscal supervision and authority over the personnel policies and practices, City records retention, and serves as the City’s election’s officer.

The following duties give a general example of the work requirements of this position. These examples are not meant to include all possible duties which the City Recorder may be expected to perform.

Serve as Utility Billing Clerk.
Maintain the integrity of the City Council processes and procedures by coordinating and assisting with Council meetings.
Providing administrative and technical support to the City Council.
Maintain City Code based on Council actions.
Serve as City elections officer.
Serve as the records manager; maintaining and responding to public records requests, maintain city records in accordance with OAR 166.200, archive records, and manage records destruction schedule.
Represent the City at regional and state levels, coordinating with other units of state and local governments.
Administer the City’s personnel policies.
Serve as code enforcement official and point of contact for land use planning, issuing building permits and coordination with city’s contract planner.
Provide risk and loss management oversight through coordination with City insurance agent on administration of policies, and confer with agent on pertinent insurance matters.

The Successful Candidate

Education and Experience
This position requires five (5) years of progressive experience in municipal government administration, preferably as a City Recorder, City Clerk, Assistant to City Administrator/Manager, or human resources professional, or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and abilities listed and ability to perform the essential job functions.  A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, human resource management or a related field can substitute for the required experience.  Master’s level coursework in business administration, public administration, or a related field is desired.  Prior experience in small town environment with limited staff is preferred.

The City desires candidates who are credentialed city recorders.  If the successful candidate is not credentialed, the city will pay for coursework leading to credentialing.

Supervisory and Administrative Skills
Candidate must be able to perform at a professional management level with a thorough knowledge of municipal government, including utility billing, municipal operations, elections, public meetings, public records and the development of internal policies and procedures.  In working with administrative staff, he/she needs to be an effective supervisor who is able to establish clear expectation, provide productive feedback, and foster an atmosphere of teamwork and collaboration. 

Communication Skills.  Candidates must have strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to prepare reports, resolutions, ordinances, and give presentations as required. 

Council and Community Relations
Excellent interpersonal skills are required to work effectively with citizens, committees, commissions, and the City Council.  The individual must be able to relate to and work with all citizens and project a positive image of the City.  He/she should be comfortable working in a small town environment and be willing to understand the culture of the community.

Intergovernmental Relations
The individual must be able to relate to and develop good working relationship with other governmental entities including other cities, the County, schools, the Council of Governments and state and federal agencies.

Compensation and Benefits

The hiring range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000, dependent upon qualifications.  The City provides excellent health insurance through City-County Insurance Services. The City participates in the State of Oregon Public Employee Retirement System and offers competitive life insurance, vacation, and holiday benefits.

How to Apply

Persons interested in applying should submit a completed city job application; cover letter indicating their specific interest in the position; a detailed professional resume that identifies the relevant qualification and experiences outlined in the position profile; and a list of five professional references, to include at least one supervisor, one peer, and one subordinate.  Cover letters should be addressed to Mayor Bryan Asher.  Applications will be accepted via email to recorder@ci.aurora.or.us or can be mailed or dropped off in person at City Hall at 21420 Main St NE, Aurora, OR 97002.  Position is open until filled.  The first review of applications will occur on July 30, 2020.  Applications received after that date will not be considered, unless a qualified applicant is not selected from the first review.

Veteran’s Preference – The City of Aurora provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with employment preference in accordance with Oregon law.  To claim preference, candidates must include a Veteran’s Preference Form (attached) and the required documentation with their application.  The City of Aurora applies a scoring methodology for veteran’s preference.  In addition, pursuant to Oregon law, veteran candidates with transferrable skills will be granted an automatic interview.  A "transferable skill" is a skill that a veteran has obtained through military education or experience that substantially relates, directly or indirectly, to the civil service position for which the veteran is applying.  Candidates who possess transferrable skills should indicate that in their over letter.
 

The Community

Aurora was Oregon’s first national historic district and dates to 1856 when Wilhelm Keil brought his followers over the Oregon Trail from Missouri.  Named after his Daughter, Keil established a Christian utopian society where property was owned jointly, the “colony” flourished and eventually totaled 18,000 acres with a New England-looking village, nearly all in white, surrounded by abundant farm lands.  Given its history, the buildings in Aurora are not typical of other western towns.  The history and artifacts of the Aurora Colony have been preserved and are on display at the Old Aurora Colony Museum, (www.auroracolony.org) located in the center of the historic downtown.

Today many of the historic buildings are filled with antiques and specialty shops.  The town is an international destination for antiques and vintage goods as well as the source for interior designers and movie and television producers. 

In addition to antiques, visitors and residents alike enjoy art studios, gallery art, Aurora Colony Days:  The town will be bustling with family-friendly Street Fair, one-of-a-kind Aurora 5K Walk/Run, wonderful Art Show and sale, amazing Colony Parade, historical Museum exhibits and tasty food.  A month long Concert in the Park series culminates with a big music and dance event on the final weekend.