Government Relations Manager

As Government Relations Manager, you will work under the direction of the Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer to manage Community Transit’s state and federal government relations program, leading development and implementation of agency strategies and representing the agency’s interests before elected officials and their staff.  You will work closely with the agency’s contracted federal and state lobbyists.  You will collaborate with the Public Affairs Program Manager, who leads local and regional government and community relations, and colleagues across the agency to obtain the expertise necessary to represent the agency’s policy, program, and financial objectives.  You will advise the CEO, Chief of Staff, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors regarding legislative strategy and priorities.  You will work with a broad array of external partners within and outside the transit industry to enlist support for the agency’s work, building and maintaining strategic relationships. You will also coordinate with the finance and grants team and departments across the agency to anticipate and secure state and federal investment and achieve legislative objectives.

• In collaboration with Community Transit leadership and contracted lobbyists, develop and manage the agency’s state and federal government relations strategy and activities.  Coordinate the agency’s legislative policy and advocacy efforts, engaging with key internal and external stakeholders to advance agency interests and inform decision making.  Maintain a strong partnership with the finance and grants team to align efforts and optimize outcomes.
• In collaboration with public affairs staff, subject matter experts across the agency, and contract lobbyists, lead the development of the agency’s state and federal legislative agenda and advocacy efforts.  Assess legislative proposals, actions, impacts, and opportunities and advise the CEO, Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer, executive leadership team and key internal stakeholders of emerging issues.  Recommend strategies for responding to or influencing legislation and proposed regulatory changes.
• Monitor local, state, and national political developments, trends, initiatives, ballot measures, and elections.  Research and analyze current or anticipated federal and state legislation and regulatory changes and advise on impacts to the agency.  Compile data, prepare analytical reports, and provide policy briefings to enable the Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer, CEO, executive leadership team, Board, and lobbyists to support the agency’s interests.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with local, state, and federal government officials, agencies and staff, and relevant industry and community groups and partners.  Coordinate with the Public Affairs Program Manager and representatives from partner agencies and jurisdictions to achieve alignment.  Attend area business, jurisdictional, and community meetings as appropriate, and may represent the agency at hearings, briefings, and other state, or federal legislative or organizational meetings. 
• Coordinate with Communications, Marketing and Engagement staff and others to develop materials for educating state and federal legislators, local jurisdictions, and other groups.  Provide content and assist with preparing speeches, legislative testimony, and correspondence on legislative issues and events.
• Align state, federal, and grants strategies in partnership with the agency’s contract lobbyists, finance and grants team and other internal stakeholders.  Manage advocacy strategy and letters of support for external partners.
• As appropriate, attend APTA, WSTA, and other industry meetings.  Advise CEO, Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer, and others on state, national, industry, and intergovernmental issues. 
• Maintain regular communication with staff across the agency to inform and invite engagement with the government relations program.  Manage all reporting requirements to ensure compliance.   
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in research and analysis of policy, legislation, and political issues.
• 5 years of experience in coordination and interaction with Boards and elected officials.
• 5 years of experience working in state and/or federal politics, or in a comparable capacity utilizing strong public speaking and political experience.  
  

** An equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the job duties is also accepted.

Knowledge Requirements

• Local, state, and federal legislative processes.
• Local, state, and federal political issues.
• Local, state, and federal public officials.
• Public Disclosure Commission law, rules, and regulations.
• Practices for negotiations and advocating.
• Communications, journalism, community and public relations.
• Issue research and evaluation.
• Multi-media techniques and processes.
• State and federal grant programs, processes and requirements.

Skill Requirements

• Fostering an inclusive workplace by valuing and leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion to uphold Community Transit’s Core Values and achieve the organization’s vision and mission.  
• Inspiring and fostering team commitment, pride, and trust.  
• Facilitating cooperation and motivating team members to accomplish group goals while treating others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
• Organizing, managing, and leading projects and people.
• Utilizing strong negotiating skills and influence to achieve business goals and core values.
• Performing policy analysis and making recommendations.
• Understanding the potential impacts of complex political and technical issues.
• Analyzing and communicating legislation to broad audiences.
• Working independently and exercising sound judgment.
• Facilitating diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders and interests to develop and attain mutual understanding.
• Using emotional intelligence to navigate complex and challenging group dynamics.
• Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with coworkers, supervisor, the public, and others.
• Preparing and delivering oral presentations.
• Writing, editing, and proofing a variety of materials.
• Producing written and oral communications that reflect timeliness, relevance, conciseness and clear and effective articulation of necessary actions.
• Utilizing professional experience with PC-based software such as MS Office, email, and scheduling applications.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, political science, communications, or a related field.

Working Conditions

State and federal government relations work requires flexibility to work in a variety of settings and hours. Agency policies allow telework at the manager’s discretion when not in conflict with agency business interests. Work is performed in an office environment and requires the use of office equipment and technology.  You will be required to move throughout and between different office buildings and may need to complete tasks in noisy environments.  You may also be required to lift and carry materials up to 10 pounds occasionally. 

20-30% of your work will be in the field, attending area business, jurisdictional and community meetings, hearings, briefings, and other local, state, or federal legislative, organizational, or industry meetings.  Some travel outside the region may be required.

Application and Selection Process

• Only on-line applications accepted. 
• Position will remain posted until filled.
• Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.
• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, and skills for the position.  The evaluation process may include interviews, background check, reference checks and various performance tests.

Employee Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance.
• Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan.
• In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and ten (10) paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

If you are related to or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position may be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment.  As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on a basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.