Government Relations Representative/Government Relations Representative, Associate

Why OCTA:

Discover work that moves you in a dynamic and innovative setting. Be part of a team delivering Orange County’s transportation network of today and creating a vision for the future.

OCTA is the county’s transportation planning commission and public transit operator. With a focus on safety and accountability, we plan, fund, and implement countywide projects that include bus and rail transit, freeways and express lanes, rideshare, microtransit, paratransit, active transportation, and environmental programs.

We’re passionate about creating a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents.

Our employees rated OCTA as a top workplace in Orange County. Come join us on our mission of keeping Orange County moving.

Overview:

Under general supervision, provides support in developing and maintaining an effective intergovernmental and legislative advocacy program for the Agency. Monitors and reports on local, state, and federal governmental activities and information. Represents Agency's legislative interests and concerns. Develops and maintains relationships with government agencies, to include local, state, and federal officials, stakeholders, and interested parties.

Government Relations Representative- This is an exempt position in Salary Grade P: Min $76,939.20 – Mid $92,185.60 – Max $107,411.20 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

Government Relations Representative, Associate- This is an exempt position in Salary Grade N: Min $69,472.00 – Mid $83,512.00 – Max $97,531.20 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

The application deadline for this position is January 22, 2023.

This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to this job.

• Researches and monitors policies, actions and regulations affecting public agencies, transit operators, and transportation planning and development activities. Flags potential issues related to transportation; recommends follow-up activities.
• Assists in implementing strategies to support of Agency's mission and strategic goals as well as responds to issues raised at the local, state or federal level.
• Maintains communications with local, state, and federal officials, other transit operators and related agencies, and with appropriate in-house and external groups related to the Agency’s position on transportation issues.
• Prepares reports, policy documents and correspondence in support of Agency's local, state or federal legislative policy programs.
• Creates strategies to ensure successful collaboration with internal and external partners. Ensures effective communication and group dynamics by coordinating, establishing and maintaining communication lines among project team members that build an environment of mutual respect, trust and intellectual exchange of ideas.
• Monitors and communicates Agency positions on legislation, regulations, and other governmental policies and programs pertaining to transportation policy, funding, and operations.
• Partners with staff to draft language for sponsor bills and amendments to legislative proposals. Checks all relevant and current laws to avoid conflicts and redundancies. May also work with a broad spectrum of groups, organizations, and other transportation agencies to assist in building support and preparing letters of support and testimony.
• Assists in the preparation of content creation as well as the annual legislative platform for adoption by the Board of Directors, including assisting in soliciting input from internal staff, external organizations, and Board members. Assists in the compilation of all suggestions, researches relevance of suggestions assists in preparing draft positions, graphics, layouts and distributions with External Affairs personnel.

LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS:

• Prepares detailed analyses of legislative proposals including explanations of bills, impact on the Agency, recommended positions based on adopted legislative platforms and financial/operational impacts to the Agency. Position recommendations prepared for potential Board adoption and for Agency’s position to affect the progress of legislation.
• Monitors bill amendments and analyzes amendments with potential impact to the Agency. Reports amendments on legislation that the Agency has adopted a position. Reports bill amendments and impacts on the Agency on any legislation that may affect the Agency.
• Prepares analyses, briefing memorandum, reports, as well as staff reports for legislative and communications committees of program proposals and regulations regarding to the Agency’s interests in budget, finance, labor, air quality, transportation, et.al. Identifies impact on the Agency, and recommends courses of action.
• Creates and maintains the legislative matrix of proposed bills and implemented legislation and compiles an annual report summarizing all chaptered bills that will or have affected the Agency.
• Consults and meets with legislative personnel of other agencies, legislative groups, and chambers/organizations to compare bill tracking information, share analyses, and formulate strategies to address issues of mutual interest.

ADVOCACY:

• Participates in advocacy efforts with other agencies to protect transportation funding and pass/defeat legislation affecting the Agency.
• Develops and maintains communications with local, state and federal officials, other transportation officials and related agencies, Agency divisions, and citizen groups and organizations.
• Collaborates with advocates in building coalitions to advance the Agency’s positions. Attends hearings and testifies on legislation as directed.
• Provides content, fact checking, and follow-up of legislative-related reports, emails, calls, updates, urgency memos from Board members and Executive staff, and web content. Ensures information is up-to-date and provided within time sensitive parameters.
• Partners with Agency division in developing and implementing legislative programs. Prepares content and graphics for fact sheets and other materials within time sensitive parameters.

Government Relations Representative- Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Law, or other related field with a minimum of three years of experience working with legislation and/or in the government relations profession. Knowledge and actual experience working with Orange County’s local, state, and federal government issues desired.

Government Relations Representative, Associate- Under direct supervision, assists in the development/maintenance of an effective intergovernmental and legislative advocacy program for the Agency. Represents Agency’s legislative interests and concerns. Develops and maintains relationships with government agencies, to include local, state, and federal officials, stakeholders, and interested parties.

Knowledge of:

• Local, state, and federal government, including established relationships with government officials, legislators, and staff.
• Transportation finance and operations and basic state and federal transportation regulations.
• Basic principles, practices, and techniques of public information, public affairs, business writing and communication.
• Local, state and federal resource organizations.
• Basic project management techniques.
• Research sources and techniques.
• Federal and state legislative process and procedures.
• Computer software skills including word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications such as MS Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.
• Trends in local, state, and federal leadership’s priorities and strategic objectives.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and persuasively with tact and diplomacy, both orally and in writing, with appointed and elected government officials and/or decision makers, business and community organizations, interest groups, and others.
• Disseminate information with discretion. Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, reports, plans, and strategies.
• Identify issues; and develop and evaluate alternatives.
• Present ideas persuasively, including public speaking.
• Prepare written reports and correspondence.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public; legislative, elected and appointed officials and staff; local, regional, state, and federal governmental entities; civic organizations; interest groups; and others.
• Organize, research, analyze, and interpret legislative technical information and policy actions.
• Use computers for word processing and online research.
• Partner to plan strategies and tactics for implementing Agency's policy programs.
• Work independently and with initiative, but integrated within an overall team approach.
• Operate as a liaison with external agencies.
• Facilitate meetings and work sessions with project teams.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Communicate project progress to all levels of public officials and Agency management.
• Help develop and implement long-range strategies to achieve project milestones.
• Resolve problems effecting projects between various departments within the Agency.

Working Conditions/Physical Activities:

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

Positions in this class typically require:

• Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment.
• Requires ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively.
• Positions in this class typically require: Reaching, Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, and Repetitive Motions in computer use.

Compensation and Benefits:

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.