Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager - Utilities

City of Upland • Upland, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Upland Public Works Department is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking professional to serve as its Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager. This leadership position plays a vital role in advancing the City's legislative priorities, strengthening relationships with elected officials and stakeholders, and ensuring the City remains informed and prepared to respond to local, state, and federal policy developments. This position serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, helping shape initiatives that support the City's mission and the Utilities Division's long-term success. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in government relations, legislative analysis, strategic communications, and public affairs. They will be skilled in researching and interpreting legislation, developing policy recommendations, creating compelling communication materials, and representing the City with professionalism before legislative bodies, community organizations, and regional partners. Success in this role requires exceptional written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, political awareness, and the ability to build productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders. The most successful candidates are innovative leaders who thrive in a dynamic environment, embrace collaboration, and are passionate about making a meaningful impact through public service. If you are ready to influence public policy, strengthen community partnerships, and help shape the future of the City of Upland's Utilities Division, we invite you to apply and become part of our team.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of legislative processes and governmental operations at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Excellent skills in policy research, strategic communication, public relations, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to build effective partnerships, influence policy outcomes, and represent the City with professionalism and diplomacy.
• In-depth knowledge of government operations, legislative processes, and public affairs, with the ability to communicate policy priorities effectively and represent the City’s interests across various platforms.
• Strong understanding of the structures and functions of local, state, and federal government.
• Knowledge of state and federal legislative processes, including bill writing, lobbying, and implementation.
• Experience conducting legislative research, policy analysis, and program evaluation.
• Familiarity with public affairs, community engagement, and communications strategy development.
• Proficiency in media relations, journalism, news writing, and public information practices.
• Public administration principles, including budget development, grant writing/tracking and program management.
• Effective use of modern business technology, including communications tools and relevant software.
• Skilled in professional writing, public speaking, and preparing reports, briefings, and correspondence.
• Ability to provide high-level customer service and maintain strong relationships with staff, agencies, officials and the public.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate the operations, services and activities of the Government and Public Affairs function.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing government and public affairs services.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit; work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues or other critical matters.
• Understand, analyze, interpret, and explain federal, state and local legislation.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Use tact, sound judgment and professionalism in communicating the City’s position of various legislative issues.
• Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research and coordinate potential grant applications and administer relevant grants
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, techniques, and programs.
• Organize and maintain office, specialized, and sensitive files.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports from brief instructions and requests.
• Present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Travel as needed and work evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in government relations, legislative analysis, strategic communications, and public affairs.
• Success in this role requires exceptional written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, political awareness, and the ability to build productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• The most successful candidates are innovative leaders who thrive in a dynamic environment, embrace collaboration, and are passionate about making a meaningful impact through public service.

Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and evaluate the City's legislative and governmental affairs activities.
• Analyze and monitor state and federal legislation and programs; assess their impact on City operations and policies.
• Advise executive management staff with timely policy analysis, legislative updates, and strategic recommendations.
• Represent the City in meetings with appointed officials, legislators, agencies, advocacy groups, and at public or educational events.
• Prepare and present reports, talking points, legislative summaries, and policy position papers including letters of support and opposition to the City's utility interests.
• Develop outreach materials including fact sheets, media content, and digital communications.
• Coordinate interdepartmental efforts and external partnerships to advance City goals.
• Assist with budget planning, funding strategies, and program implementation related to legislative initiatives.
• Assist with developing and communicating educational programs, grants, and initiatives to the community
• Respond to public and media inquiries, and participate in evening/weekend events and meetings as needed.
• Develop and/or assist with grant writing opportunities and tracking related to the Public Works department

Benefits

• EDUCATION INCENTIVE : Additional compensation over an employee’s base salary for a job-related degree above the minimum requirements required of an employee’s position.
• HOLIDAY: City Hall and most city departments will be permanently closed from Christmas Day through New Year’s Day

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager