Special Assistant na City of Reading (Office of the Managing Director)

JOB VACANCY #: JV 2025-39

THE POSITION OF: Special Assistant

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Office of the Managing Director

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SCHEDULE:  Full Time

SALARY: DOQ

POSTING DATE: October 27, 2025

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Special Assistant provides administrative support to the Managing Director, (and Mayor as needed) for matters involving policy, scheduling, coordination of services, and interactions with elected officials, city staff, and outside organizations. Handles confidential information and records related to City employees and operations. 

Typical job duties may include but are not limited to:

• Identify, review, and assess the services and programs within the city.  
• In collaboration with departments, will evaluate, enhance, and develop metric systems that monitor and assess progress towards achieving performance goals at all appropriate organizational levels.
• Develop and implement marketing and educational programs that inspire the community to embrace changes in thinking, behavior and practice of individuals, organizations, and government by focusing on a constituent friendly experience.
• Provide oversight and of research and analysis of city and community needs to assist in the determination of program direction and goals.
• Serve as a skilled facilitator who works collaboratively with boards, authorities, commissions, committees, or other governing bodies to assist in the development of strategic direction. Develop partnerships and work with community members, organizations, and other government agencies to establish a citywide programs and practices.
• Act as an official representative to elected officials, outside agencies and the community; explain and justify department programs, policies, and activities; and assist in the resolution of significant issues.
• Respond to and resolve sensitive inquiries, complaints, and issues from both internal and external sources.
• Creates and/or proofreads documents in conjunction with the offices of the Mayor and Managing Director
• Serves as a central point of contact for all city hall office/space needs, including office assignments.
• Any other duties and tasks assigned by the Mayor and/or Managing Director.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Educational/Experience Requirements

• Associate degree in a business-related field required.
• Possess a minimum of 4 years of administrative support to senior management. 
• Strong Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish preferred).
• Basic knowledge and practical application of social media platforms.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• The successful candidate will be an innovative individual who identifies the tools and resources needed to stay current in the field. He/she will need to demonstrate superior project management skills.
• Possess advanced oral and written communication as well as a strong ability to educate, persuade and mobilize resources. He/she must have the ability to influence at all levels and functions to inspire people into action. He/she must be able to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards and be able to display transparency.
• Possess a fundamental knowledge of planning, budget, and financial management experience in a high-performance management organization. He/she must be financially astute and be able to understand and communicate the long and short-term benefits of efforts. He/she should have a fundamental understanding of meaningful performance metrics to track and measure success.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and innovative thinking in the development of exemplary policies and programs.
• Be a highly approachable leader, who can openly accept and work effectively in a climate of interaction, communicating up and down the organization. Must display a willingness to work collaboratively with business, organizations, institutions, and residents to develop solutions and implement action plans to address the challenges and opportunities inherent.