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Caltrain · 2 weeks ago

Caltrain Manager Government & Community Affairs

San Carlos, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

5+ years exp

Caltrain is seeking a Manager of Government & Community Affairs to oversee strategic development and management of government and community relations. This role entails managing legislative relationships at the Federal, State, and regional levels, ensuring effective communication of Caltrain's policies and positions, and directing advocacy strategies.

Public TransportationTransportation

Responsibilities

Oversight of all Caltrain’s proposed state, federal and regional legislative program for Board consideration

Serve as staff lead for Caltrain delegations, including overseeing all content and materials, to California State and Federal legislative offices. Work cross-departmentally to ensure clear and timely communication on key legislative and policy goals

Work with state legislative offices to determine sponsorship or co-sponsorship of legislation that is in the interest of Caltrain. Ensure Caltrain’s policies and positions are shared with government officials and appropriate parties in a timely and effective manner

Monitors, develops and executes advocacy strategies to secure funding, political support on major capital and planning projects, engage with legislators, government agencies, and other key stakeholders; provide recommended action on state and federal legislation for Caltrain

Manage and direct Caltrain’s federal and state lobbyists, oversee their contract and budget for Caltrain

Manage agency relationships with state and federal government officials as well as government entities, trade and other organizations to garner support for the agency’s legislative and policy goals

Responsible for researching and examining legislation and regulatory proposals from think tanks, legislators, business groups, transit advocates and others proposing reforms to transit in the region

Represent Caltrain before state and federal agency staff, and on committees for transit industry associations. Responsible for proposing state legislation that would meet Caltrain’s organizational goals

Brief and advise Caltrain Board, Executive Director and leaders on proposed state and federal legislation that could affect Caltrain

Supervise staff and consultants. Hire, mentor, and take appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. Ensure EEO policies and procedures are followed. Participate in selection of staff. Coordinate staff training and professional development. Establish performance objectives. Monitor and evaluate employee performance

Regular attendance and visits with state and federal legislators to keep up to date on legislation and mutual priorities

Edit and approve Caltrain’s proposed state and federal legislative program for board consideration

Oversee Caltrain’s interaction with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC); work with government affairs legislative team, grants and other internal teams to recommend a position on any Caltrain relevant items

Analyze MTC committee and Board memos and presentations. Oversee the monitoring of all MTC Board agendas and meetings of the MTC Board and subcommittees, as necessary, to ensure Caltrain and senior staff are apprised of potential MTC actions, policies and planning that could affect Caltrain

Coordinate with Grants, Planning and other departments on advocacy at MTC on regional, state and federal issues

Prep materials for Regional Network Management Council and related bodies

Interact regularly with legislative and grant staff at the California High Speed Rail Authority (HSR) and Prepare the Director of Government Affairs and Executive staff for meetings and interactions with their HSR counterparts

Foster and maintain relationships with elected officials and their staff to advance Caltrain’s policy and funding priorities

Draft memos and position statements to county and regional boards expressing Caltrain’s position on relevant issues and, when needed, present those positions to those boards

Represent Caltrain in groups of Bay Area transit agency government relations staff, and with industry association and groups and staff committees. Attend events and meetings such as state legislative hearings, legislative association meetings and government relations professional meetings

Advise executive leadership and the Board on legislation that may affect Caltrain, including legislation that may affect energy, environmental issues, impacts to Caltrain’s planning project portfolio, rail safety and other issues related to the business and future planning for Caltrain

Evaluate job performance of staff which also includes the professional development of staff through the identification of on-the-job and other professional development opportunities

Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one’s self, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification

Government relationsLegislative advocacyPolicy developmentPublic engagementStaff managementGrant applicationsInfluencing othersCommunication skillsTeam collaboration

Required

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position

In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted

Bachelor's degree in political science, Economics or a comparable field

Five years of full-time professional experience working to communicate policy programs and/or initiatives to external stakeholders including community and policy makers

Two years' experience managing professional staff/consultants, and/or state or federal lobbyists