Director, Government & Community Affairs

San Mateo County Transit District•Millbrae, CA

About The Position

The Director of Government and Community Affairs (GCA) reports to the Caltrain Chief of Staff and leads the strategic development and management of government and community relations for the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain). The Director oversees and provides direction to the Managers of Caltrain Government and Community Affairs, the Caltrain External Affairs Manager, and other dedicated Caltrain GCA staff. The position advises the Chief of Staff and Caltrain Executive Team on legislative strategies, formulates responses to policy proposals and regulatory developments, and directs state and federal advocacy programs. It develops and implements community outreach for planning, capital projects, and operations, and serves as a liaison to political representatives and advocacy organizations at the local, regional, state, and national levels. The Director supervises staff, including hiring, mentoring, performance management, training, and appropriate corrective or disciplinary action. The role also coordinates strategic communications and outreach, manages legislative and outreach consultants, monitors relevant legislative activity, reports to the Boards of Directors and executive staff, and represents the agency in briefings and presentations. The Director is expected to perform duties safely and promote safety awareness.

Requirements

Sufficient experience, training, and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
A bachelor's degree in communications, public policy, or a related area, or qualifying work-related experience in lieu of a degree.
Seven years of progressive experience in public policy, government affairs, or community relations.
Three years of management experience.

Nice To Haves

Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

Advise the Chief of Staff and Caltrain Executive Team on legislative strategies.
Formulate responses to policy proposals and regulatory developments.
Direct agency state and federal advocacy programs and political representatives.
Develop and implement community outreach for planning, capital projects, and operations.
Liaise with regional, state, and federal political representatives and their staff, as well as local, regional, state, and national advocacy agencies, organizations, associations, and committees.
Supervise staff, including hiring, mentoring, and taking appropriate corrective or disciplinary action.
Ensure EEO policies and procedures are followed.
Participate in staff selection and coordinate staff training and professional development.
Establish performance objectives and monitor and evaluate employee performance.
Prepare state and federal legislative programs and strategies for addressing regulatory issues.
Plan and oversee strategic communications with government officials and staff, community members and groups, and other stakeholders.
Manage legislative consultants.
Monitor relevant legislative activities and regularly report progress to the Boards of Directors and executive staff.
Make presentations to agency boards and provide briefings as necessary.
Develop and oversee community outreach strategies for planning, capital, and operations projects.
Build effective relationships with leaders and managers in other divisions to advance agency goals and projects.
Manage outreach consultants.
Communicate and advocate with community leaders and partners; attend and present to civic and community groups.
Collaborate with Communications Division directors and staff to disseminate messages and materials through conventional media, social media, and other mass communication channels.
Evaluate staff performance and identify on-the-job training and other professional development opportunities.
Perform duties safely, protect employees and the public from injury or harm, and promote safety awareness and compliance with safety procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.