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.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

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

Salary:

$164,906.82 - $247,360.88 Annually