Government & Community Relations - North Corridor Manager

Sound Transit•Seattle, WA

23h•$101,000 - $207,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Government & Community Relations - North Corridor Manager is a high-trust, action-oriented role that sits at the center of three fast-moving teams: North Corridor Government and Community Relations (GCR) team, the Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO’s) office, and the Everett Link Extension Corridor Project Team in the Capital Development Department (CDD). Under general direction from the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director (DED) of GCR, and direct supervision by the North Corridor Director, and in collaboration with the Executive Director Delivery Team # 3 (EVLE and TDLE), the Government & Community Relations - North Corridor Manager ensures the strategic and day-to-day alignment between all North Corridor project-related GCR, CDD and CEO activities. It requires both strategic and operational skills, the ability to convey and distill information across teams, and strong political acumen.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or closely related field.
Eight years in a political or legislative environment that includes responsibility for public policy, communications, or serving as a policy advisor; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Comfort with operational characteristics, services, and activities of a Government and Community Relations Division.
Experience developing and implementing an external engagement plan or program.
Knowledge of local, regional, and state policy issues.
The political and policy arena of the central Puget Sound and Sound Transit’s role in the region.
Principles and practices of policy development and public administration.
Research and analysis on specific political and technical issues related to transportation policy and project development.
Analysis of media dynamics and understanding of the role news media plays in public policy.
Managing a complex set of projects and issues.
Understanding of key ethics and elections rules and laws Operate in a dynamic political environment.
Local policy; local governments, AHJ’s and state government develop and pass laws; and intricate knowledge of various legal and political processes.
Understanding of local codes, motions and ordinances, taxes and taxing authorities and jurisdictions.
The business, community, and advocacy communities involved in regional transportation issues and the communities impacted by and benefiting from Agency projects and services.
Ability to use good judgment and adapt to rapidly changing political environment.
Ability to produce high quality work in a timely way and to work on several projects simultaneously; and strong interpersonal skills required and ability to work cooperatively with other Sound Transit staff and diverse groups and individuals.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
Working with or for elected officials or candidate for public office.
Understanding how public policy processes relates to local governments.
Understanding how elected officials, jurisdictions, business, community, and advocacy groups involved in Sound Transit projects and services, including the corridor, operate.
Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
Applying policy analysis and government relations’ techniques with specialized knowledge of the transit industry.
Understanding the Agency’s political environment and sensitivities.
Managing political outreach at multiple levels in a complex working environment, where Agency information, systems, and policies are developing or emerging in real time.
Having the willingness to take initiative in the absence of clear direction and ability to juggle multiple tasks.
Using good judgment and adapting to rapidly changing political environment.
Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
Managing complex projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.
Ability to prepare effective presentations for use in public settings such as the Sound Transit Board Room, local Councils, and community settings.
Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
Applying project management techniques and principles.
Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the GCR Executive and Deputy Executive Director, North Corridor Director, and Capital Delivery project leadership, this position is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic engagement plan that aligns with ambitious capital project delivery milestones. This requires deep and proactive engagement with Sound Transit teams throughout the corridor, understanding of the Sound Transit Board decision-making process and awareness of the political environment as it relates to Tribal partners, state, local, regional and federal governments and key community partners.
This position works closely on a day-to-day basis with the North Corridor GCR Director, North Corridor capital-delivery team, and the CEO’s office, including facilitating coordination between all three teams, and regularly anticipating, triaging, and providing strategic advice on emerging issues.
Operate in a true “no surprises” model, embedded with the capital delivery project team, and proactively flagging risks early and elevating as appropriate.
Working closely with to engage and elevate key issues to Sound Transit Leadership, and advise on communications strategy with Sound Transit Board Members and their staff, elected officials in the North Corridor, Tribes, and key community stakeholders
Ensure all agency leadership is positioned to engage in informed decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
Supports the GCR Team, capital delivery project team, and the CEO’s Office through regular political insight and r strategic guidance across the agency on emerging issues to ensure Sound Transit’s projects and services advance.
Prepares the CEO, GCR and Capital Delivery project leadership to engage externally with Board members, elected officials, and key stakeholders.
Consult and advise Sound Transit on communications approaches for Sound Transit activities in the assigned corridor and draft written materials and presentations.
Collaborate with agency project outreach staff to develop the agency’s strategy and implement priorities.
Ability to make effective presentations to external audiences.
Commitment to furthering the agency values; collaboration, passenger focus, inclusion and respect, safety, integrity, and quality.
Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
Pet Insurance.
ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.