Description

The Government and Community Affairs Officer reports to the Manager, Government and Community Affairs and is responsible for assisting in strategic development and management of government and community relations with a primary focus on the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), with additional work on San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) and the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA). This position will focus on local agency, stakeholder, and community engagement. 

Essential Functions & Duties

• Assist with planning and executing robust, inclusive, and broad-based communications and direct engagement with relevant San Mateo County communities; work will include capital construction projects for SMCTA, SamTrans, and SMCEL-JPA, as well as engagement for strategic planning projects; work closely with technical staff and coordinate with project consultants.
• Help develop and implement public engagement and feedback efforts for planning and construction projects, including integrating community engagement into the technical process.
• Promote agency projects, gather community and stakeholder feedback, and present project information in public settings.
• Assist with GCA communications support for strategic planning and capital construction projects for which SMCTA is providing technical assistance.
• Work with GCA Manager to build support for projects, manage agency relationships, and lead engagement with residents and local stakeholders including elected officials, cities, businesses, and community groups.
• Identify community concerns affecting SMCTA, SamTrans, and SMCEL-JPA; coordinate cross-functional responses to support clear, timely communication on key policy, project, and planning issues.
• Support internal staff on community, stakeholder, and government affairs matters by providing strategic counsel and coordinating with stakeholder groups to address emerging issues.
• Create presentations, talking points, project support letters, and other materials.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Assist the GCA Manager with the development and execution of public outreach plans for capital construction, strategic planning, and transportation tax revenue projects; help lead cross-functional teams of staff and consultants; and track deliverables and deadlines.
• Work with technical staff to write, review, and edit public-facing materials such as PowerPoints, FAQs, website content, and fact sheets; monitor for accuracy, messaging consistency, political sensitivities, and clarity for the general public.
• Give public presentations on agency projects to agency committees and outside stakeholder groups, such as chambers of commerce, advocacy groups, and other public agency boards and committees.
• Meet with stakeholders to identify questions and concerns; work with internal staff and consultants to develop appropriate responses and resolutions.
• Collaborate on transportation funding revenue measure efforts; coordinate with internal and external stakeholders; gather community feedback and identify key issues; and track consultant deliverables and deadlines.
• Facilitate working paid community-oriented groups in the engagement process.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and experience 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.  Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to: 

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Political Science, Planning, Public Policy, Communications, or other relevant field.
• Three (3) years of full-time experience in the area of communications, public engagement, community outreach, political campaigns, or another relevant field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Direct experience creating communications for capital construction projects.
• Organized and detail oriented with ability to track multiple projects simultaneously.
• Possess critical thinking and independent judgment with direct impact on community engagement, governmental partnerships, and strategic planning.
• Ability to speak in front of and liaise with a variety of audiences and appropriately respond to difficult questions in a politically sensitive and technically correct way.
• Must have effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in the evenings and on weekends as needed.