Salary range is $90k to $185k, with a midpoint of $135k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 13 days of paid time off annually.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a direct hire temporary position with an expected assignment duration of up to 12 months.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, the Government & Community Relations Manager performs strategic outreach and advocacy to further advance the mission and goals of Sound Transit and serves as Agency representative for the assigned portion of the Sound Transit District. Supports the Directors, Deputy Executive Director of Government and Community Relations, and Chief Government Community Relations Officer by providing strategic guidance across the agency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Leads, develops, coordinates, and implements external strategies to elected officials and key community and business partners and groups for Sound Transit in collaboration with senior management and as part of the agency's overall outreach strategy, with a focus on assigned corridor.
• Serves as liaison to elected officials and key community stakeholders and groups to keep them well informed of agency activities and priorities and advocate in support of Sound Transit priorities with these jurisdictions, stakeholders, and partners.
• Supports senior management in external relations across the assigned corridor by providing strategic advice on emerging issues to ensure Sound Transit's projects and services advance.
• Supports the Sound Transit Board members who represent the specific Corridor.
• Supports the agency's local, state, federal government, and tribal relations programs.
• Supports and participates in the agency's external coordinating groups, including Speakers Bureau, Media Relations, and the Communications and Community Engagement Leadership Team.
• Ability to make effective presentations to external audiences.
• Provides strategic consultant support needed by various capital, service or operation projects to develop and manages the elected leadership and stakeholder groups as critical elements of the agency's external engagement efforts.
• Monitors, analyzes, and reports on policy and political issues within the corridor.
• Consults and advises Sound Transit on communications approaches for Sound Transit activities in the assigned corridor and drafts written materials and presentations.
• Collaborates with agency outreach staff to develop the agency's strategy and implement priorities.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or closely related field and five years of experience in a political or legislative environment that includes responsibility for public policy, communications, or serving as a policy advisor; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of the Government Relations Division.
• Pertinent tribal, federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Local, regional, and state policy issues.
• The political and policy arena of the central Puget Sound and Sound Transit's role in the region.
• Principles and practices of policy development and public administration.
• Research and analysis on specific political and technical issues related to transportation policy and project development.
• Experience developing and implementing an external engagement plan or program.
• Analysis of media dynamics and understanding of the role news media plays in public policy.
• Managing a complex set of projects and issues.
• Understanding of key ethics and elections rules and laws, which dictate how a Government Relations Officer can do her/his job in dynamic political environment.
• State and federal environmental law, as they apply to regional transportation projects; how local governments and state governments develop and pass laws; and intricate knowledge of various legal and political processes.
• Understanding of local codes, motions, and ordinances, taxes and taxing authorities and jurisdictions and financial analysis.
• The stakeholder communities involved in regional transportation issues, and the communities impacted by and benefiting from Agency projects and services.
• Ability to use good judgment and adapt to rapidly changing political environment.
• Ability to produce high quality work in a timely way and to work on several projects simultaneously; and strong interpersonal skills required and ability to work cooperatively with other Sound Transit staff and diverse groups and individuals.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Working with or for elected officials or candidate for public office.
• Understanding how public policy processes relates to local governments.
• Understanding how elected officials, jurisdictions, stakeholders, and groups involved in Sound Transit projects and services, including the assigned corridor operate.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Applying policy analysis and government relations' techniques with specialized knowledge of the transit industry.
• Understanding the Agency's political environment and sensitivities.
• Managing political outreach at multiple levels in a complex working environment, where Agency information, systems, and policies are developing or emerging in real time.
• Having the willingness to take initiative in the absence of clear direction, and ability to juggle multiple tasks.
• Using good judgment and adapting to rapidly changing political environment.
• Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Managing complex projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work will be performed in a standard hybrid office and field environment.
• The agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.