Caltrain Manager Government & Community Affairs

General

The Caltrain, Manager, Government & Community Affairs (Federal & State) reports to the Director, Government & Community Affairs, Caltrain and is responsible for the strategic development and management of government and community relations for the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) related to its legislative relationships and activities at the Federal and State and regional level.

This position is responsible for all legislative and government affairs policy activities at the State, Federal and regional level for Caltrain other than administrative agency oversight of Caltrain or Caltrain-related projects. This position would also, as needed, support the Caltrain capital infrastructure government affairs team.

Essential Functions & Duties

• 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.
  
  

Examples Of Essential Duties

• 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.
  
  

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:

• 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.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public policy or public administration or comparable advanced degree.
• Five (5) years of full-time experience in the area of policy development, public engagement, political campaigns or other relevant fields.
• Demonstrated experience with the California Legislature.
• Established experience with transit agencies.
• Working knowledge of grant applications and process.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to influence others.
• Available to attend events and meetings outside work hours, including travel
  
  

The selection process may include a panel interview, written and skills test assessments, or supplemental questions. Only those candidates who are the most qualified will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to continue in the process.

How To Apply

• Complete an online employment application by 11:59 p.m. of the listed closing date. Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in lieu of fully completed applications. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that applications are completed with all relevant information (experience, education, certifications, licenses, references and/or other information).
• The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request. If you have a need for an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.
• We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Women, Persons with Disabilities and Veterans are encouraged to apply.