Principal Government & Community Relations Representative

Job Description:

Principal Government & Community Relations Representative

Description

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Job Summary

Pay Rate
AFSCME Pay Band AFG
Annual Salary: $132,605.65 - $172,387.34
Note: The negotiable salary offer will be between $132,605.65 /annually - $154,425.92/ annually (commensurate with experience and education)

Reports To
This position reports to the Manager, Government and Community Relations.
Current Assignment
This posting is to fill an immediate vacancy within BART’s Government and Community Relations Department. The position will be primarily responsible for working with elected bodies and community stakeholders in Contra Costa County. At the discretion of the hiring manager, duties may also involve work throughout BART’s service area.

The Principal Representative will help BART build and enhance relationships with local government bodies, businesses, community groups, and other transit stakeholders. The selected candidate will plan and execute outreach activities in their assigned territory to educate groups of BART projects, programs, and rider initiatives.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate they are a skilled communicator with experience in monitoring, identifying, and resolving conflicts or perceived issues that arise between an agency and the public. A selected candidate will work with local government officials and internal BART staff to address concerns and improve the reputation of the agency. The position will also help the department identify opportunities to reach new audiences to amplify BART's messaging while working to gather community information that is relevant to current agency priorities.

The position requires frequent off-hour shifts including nights and weekends to participate in virtual and in-person community events and stakeholder meetings.

Essential Job Functions

• Proactively communicate with elected officials, local government staff, and community groups in assigned territory regarding BART projects, service changes, and rider-focused initiatives.
• Represent the District (in-person and virtually) before elected bodies and various stakeholder groups; coordinate the attendance of BART Board members and staff.
• Monitor the agendas of legislative bodies in assigned territory for items of relevance to BART.
• Prepare public outreach collateral and meeting material for use by BART Board members, management, staff, and consultants.
• Provide government and community relations support to internal BART departments.
• Coordinate and implement strategic outreach to build local and regional support for BART to receive long-term, sustainable funding within any future transportation revenue measure.
• Work directly with BART Board members to provide timely responses to local constituent issues.

The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of:

• Region’s current political climate and public sentiment towards transit.
• Outreach strategies that build cooperative relationships with community stakeholders and local elected bodies/officials.
• Local codes, laws, and regulations for government agencies and legislative bodies
• Effective funding advocacy with a focus on transportation.

Desired skills and experience in:

• Maintaining personal contacts with key officials and representatives of organizations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships across agency departments.
• Independently problem solving for difficult and complex issues.
• Working with diverse populations, specifically equity priority communities.
• Overseeing the work of consultants.

Selection Process
This position is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Applications will be screened to assure that minimum qualifications are met. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will then be referred to the hiring department for the completion of further selection processes.

The selection process for this position may include a skills/performance demonstration, a written examination, and/or an individual or panel interview.

The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and
dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S.; pass a pre-employment medical examination which includes a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include a background check. (Does not apply to current full-time District employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations)

The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective
bargaining agreement.

Application Process
External applicants may only apply online, at www.bart.gov/jobs. Applicants needing assistance with the online application process may receive additional information by calling (510) 464-6112.

Current employees are strongly encouraged to apply online, either at www.bart.gov/jobs, or on WebBART. Current employees may also apply using a BART paper application by delivering the completed form to the Human Resources Department, or by mailing it to P. O. Box 12688, Oakland, CA 94604-2688.

All applicants are asked to complete the application in full, indicating dates of employment, all positions held, hours worked, and a full description of duties. Online applicants are invited to electronically attach a resume to the application form to provide supplemental information but should not consider the resume a substitute for the application form itself.

Applications must be complete by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement.

This recruitment is seeking to fill one vacancy.

Examples of Duties

Plans, prioritizes, and participates in the implementation of annual advocacy campaigns to secure local funding appropriations and support for the District’s short and long range expansion and renovation plans.

Works directly with elected members of the Bay Area local government delegation to gain support for District plans, policies and political strategies.

Establishes, implements, and manages public outreach programs throughout the Bay Area to maintain a cohesive community based support for BART District, advises other community relations staff on sensitive district wide local and political issues.

Represents the District on community and political issues before elected Boards and Commissions.

Works with outside consultants, monitors and advises management of consultant’s progress and quality of work performed.

Communicates and works directly with BART Board members to respond to local and political issues relevant to their respective districts.

Prepares reports and other related communications about funding issues, District policies, legislative matters and public information for use by BART management, BART Board members, external public agencies, political bodies and community organizations.

Performs the most technical and complex tasks of the work unit including special projects which have a major impact, participates in the development of policies and procedures, recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives and may provide or coordinate training.

Confers with and provides professional assistance to District departments on government and community relations matters, such as: collaborates with the Real Estate Department, Access Facilities, Planning and Extensions Planning to provide Community Relations support for systems projects that impact the community.



Minimum Qualifications

Education :
A Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience :
Four (4) years of (full time equivalent) verifiable professional government or community relations program development and implementation experience.

Substitution :
Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year for year basis. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of :

• Advanced knowledge of services and activities of a government and community relations program
• Principles of capital funding advocacy
• Outreach programs that build cooperative relationships with community groups, organizations, local elected officials
• Principles and practices of legislative program development
• Principles of lead supervision and training
• Principles and practices of legislative lobbying and advocacy programs
• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures of government agencies and legislative bodies
• Transit funding programs and processes
• Advanced methods and techniques of policy analysis
• Current office procedures, methods and equipment including computers
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation
• Advanced methods and techniques of public relations
• Related Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations

Skill/Ability in :

• Maintaining personal contacts with key officials or representatives of organizations
• Coordinating the work of advocacy committees
• Independently performing the most difficult and complex local government and community relations work
• Interpreting, explaining and enforcing department policies and procedures
• Working independently in the absence of supervision
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of Work
• Evaluating and analyzing effectiveness of programs and activities
• Operating office equipment
• Operating standard computer applications such as basic word processing, spreadsheet and database Programs
• Overseeing the work of consultant staff
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity GroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov .

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs .

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) prides itself in offering best in class benefits packages to employees of the District. Currently, the following benefits may be available to employees in this job classification.

Highlights

• Medical Coverage (or $350/month if opted out)
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Insurance (Basic and Enhanced Plans Available)
• Retirement Plan through the CA Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • 2% @ 55 (Classic Members)
  • 2% @ 62 (PEPRA Members)
  • Reciprocity available for existing members of many other public retirement systems (see BART website and/or CalPERS website for details)

Money Purchase Pension Plan (in-lieu of participating in Social Security tax)

• 6.65% employer contribution up to annual maximum of $1,868.65

Deferred Compensation & Roth 457 Sick Leave Accruals (12 days per year) Vacation Accruals (3-6 weeks based on time worked w/ the District) Holidays: 9 observed holidays and 4 floating holidays Life Insurance w/ ability to obtain additional coverage Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Survivor Benefits through BART Short-Term Disability Insurance Long-Term Disability Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care Commuter Benefits Free BART Passes for BART employees and eligible family members.

Closing Date/Time: 9/27/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$132,605.65 - $172,387.34 Annually