Director, Government and Community Affiars

Job Description:

Director, Government and Community Affiars

Description

General

The Director, Government and Community Affairs (GCA) is responsible for the strategic development and management of government and community relations for the Agency/Agencies San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), and San Mateo County 101 Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA).

Essential Functions & Duties

• Lead the GCA team in local, regional, state and federal engagement including legislative advocacy and policy development for the agencies. Advise the CEO, Board of Directors, Executive Team, and internal departments on community responsiveness and political implications of Agency decisions.
• Direct robust, inclusive, and broad-based communications and direct engagement with relevant San Mateo County communities and stakeholders for strategic planning and capital projects.
• Manage team responsible for all Agency relationships and partnerships with schools/youth organizations and Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
• Support internal staff on community, stakeholder, and government affairs matters by providing strategic counsel and coordinating with stakeholder groups to address emerging issues.
• Liaison with regional, state and federal political representatives and their staff, and various local, regional, state and national advocacy agencies, organizations, associations and committees.
• Supervise staff. Hire, mentor, and take appropriate corrective action/ or disciplinary action. Establish performance objectives. Monitor and evaluate employee performance.

Examples of Duties:

• Represent the Agency with outside agencies and organizations, speak on behalf of the Agency in public settings.
• Lead, plan and oversee implementation for strategic communications with federal, state, regional and local government officials and staff, key community members and groups and other stakeholders. Manage legislative consultants.
• Make presentations to the Agency boards, brief members of the Board of Directors and other key stakeholders.
• Develop and oversee community outreach strategies for planning, operations, and capital projects; and potential transportation funding measures. Manage outreach consultants.
• Develop strong and effective relationships with managers in other divisions to advance agency goals and projects.
• Collaborate with directors and staff within the Communications Division to incorporate the dissemination of messages and materials using conventional media, social media and other mass communication to support the agency's policy, project and strategic planning objectives.
• Responsible for Government and Community Affairs budgets, including CBO contracts, public relations firms, and lobbying firms.
• Evaluate job performance of staff including professional development through the identification of on-the-job training and other professional development opportunities.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

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. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelors Degree in Communications, Public Policy, or related area
• Nine (9) years progressive experience in public policy, government affairs, community relations or other directly relevant field
• Four (4) years as a people manager with direct responsibility for day-to-day oversight

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience as a second level manager (managing supervisors).
• Public sector experience, local, state, and federal preferred.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 11/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$164,906.82 - $247,360.88 Annually