Heather Fagan, Chief of Staff to Mayor Buddy Dyer at the City of Orlando, is one of the city’s highest-paid employees.
Heather Fagan serves as the principal assistant to the City of Orlando Chief Executive Officer (Mayor Buddy Dyer).
Fagan is responsible for the activities of the Mayor’s Office, such as directing staff, performing research and preparing materials relating to policy, citizen, and public relations issues.
Per a recent West Orlando News public records request, Heather R. Fagan makes $287,268.80 of base pay on an annualized basis.
According to the records provided by the City of Orlando, the following are examples of work performed by the Chief of Staff to Mayor position:
- Directs activities of Mayor’s Office and staff as to administrative matters and Mayor’s goals and objectives.
- Manages policy initiatives on primarily intra-City issues, including coordination of special study committees, research preparation and presentation of special studies/reports.
- Manages special projects, advises on and approves aspects of special programs administered on behalf of the Mayor by other departments.
- Reviews and assigns specific types of incoming mail for response, routes information to City departments and CAO.
- Composes letters, memoranda, legislation and agreements (in conjunction with the City Attorney) on behalf of and for the Mayor’s signature.
- Reviews and comments on and proofreads speeches, newsletters, etc., may write speeches, remarks, and related materials.
- Identifies emerging issues of importance to the City and its citizens, analyzes issues and advises the Mayor, Council and CAO on ways to address them.
- Assists Council with information and constituency needs, boards, and interfaces with other governmental and agency officials in other jurisdictions including, but not limited to Tri-County League of Cities, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Orlando Utilities Commission, Economic Development Commission, Tri-County Transit, Chamber of Commerce, Cablevision of Central Florida, etc.
- May represent Mayor on boards, at public events and meetings.
- Investigates and responds to citizen inquiries and complaints.
- Performs other duties as required to ensure optimum administration of the Mayor’s Office and to provide the most efficient level of local government to the citizens of Orlando.
The records also listed the following “Knowledge, Skills and Abilities” necessary for the Chief of Staff to Mayor position in Orlando:
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of City organization and management and administrative management.
- Knowledge of the objectives, methods and problems of public administration.
- Knowledge of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations affecting City operations.
- Ability to analyze, interpret and report research findings and ability to properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies.
- Ability to exercise initiative and resourcefulness in meeting new problems.
- Ability to plan, assign, direct, ordinate and review the work of professional and clerical employees.
- Ability to prepare concise meaningful and timely oral and written reports in a clear and logical manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials and the general public.
- Ability to interpret facts and policies and to make sound decisions regarding these policies.
Is this Mayor’s office salary worth it for taxpayers? Check here for more salaries of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s executive staff.
