Government and Community Relations Manager

Who We AreEstablished in 1970, Serving Seniors helps San Diego County’s low-income seniors overcome poverty through whole-person, wraparound support including meals, housing, health and social services, and enrichment activities. We work at numerous sites across the county and in the homes of hundreds of homebound seniors. Our flagship Gary & Mary West Senior Wellness Center in downtown San Diego is unlike any other senior center in the nation. Bringing together a range of supportive services under one roof, the Senior Wellness Center operates 365 days a year and offers two floors of integrated care, including health and social services, housing navigation, enrichment activities, lifelong learning, a Cyber Café and linkage to over 25 onsite direct service partners, including a senior dental center. Last fiscal year, we provided over 1,400,000 meals and coordinated services to 6,800 older adults.Our Mission : Helping seniors in poverty live healthy and fulfilling lives.Our Vision : All seniors, regardless of income, are able to thrive, engage in their communities, lead purposeful lives, and have a place they call home.Our Core Values : Advocacy - Acknowledging and supporting the needs of older adults at the individual, community, and policy-level.Person-Centered - Seeing the whole person, providing coordinated support, and treating all with dignity and respect.Integrity – Representing the values of honesty, trust, and transparency within our community.Compassion & Empathy – Approaching our work with a heartfelt desire to better understand and serve.Impact – Measuring and evaluating programs to ensure that for every dollar invested, there is a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.Inclusive – Promoting an environment that nurtures differences and allows individuals to be their entire, authentic selves.Top Workplace Award RecipientServing Seniors has received the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Top Workplaces Award nine out of the ten years the awards program has taken place, and most recently for five years in a row from 2019-2024.Government and Community Relations ManagerJob Title : Government and Community Relations ManagerReports To : Chief Operating Officer, President / CEO DesignateFLSA Status : Exempt, Full-TimeDepartment : Development and External RelationsClassification : M1SummaryThe Government and Community Relations Manager (GCRM) will develop, implement, and support a multi-faceted advocacy program for the older adult population at all levels of government. The GCRM will position the President / CEO and COO for maximum leverage on aging policy initiatives with elected / appointed officials, other advocates, and the general public.RequirementsPrepare written and oral advocacy communication including, talking points for the media and meetings with elected officials, testimony, speeches, presentations, policy papers, website links, social / traditional media, blogs, letters / emails, and op-eds.Recommend policy positions, legislative or administrative action, and implement advocacy strategies.Coordinate meetings / tours for President / CEO and COO periodically with elected officials at all levels of government in all Serving Seniors’ service areas.Maintain ongoing relationships with key staff members of elected officials.Attend community meetings and appointments with elected officials (e.g., City Councils) on behalf of Serving Seniors.Conduct presentations on behalf of Serving Seniors at community events and engagements.Establish new strategic advocacy partnerships while managing ongoing relationships.Develop strategies to leverage the advocacy potential of the Serving Seniors’ Board. Provide advocacy training as required.Organize grass-roots advocacy efforts that effectively utilize our clients and their stories.In collaboration with the Director of Community Engagement, provide guidance to the agency’s civic engagement group on how to effectively communicate with civic leaders.Collaborate with other members of the development team to engage with corporate groups / volunteers / etc. in tours and community events.Participate in community / corporate and other special events representing Serving Seniors in the broader community.Serve on community committees and task forces as assigned.Attend and participate in the PR / marketing team meetings and strategy.Coordinate with the communications team to regularly send out advocacy alerts on key policy issues with specific “calls to action” via e-blast and social media.Other responsibilities as assigned.EducationBachelor’s degreeExperienceThree to five years of direct Political / Government / Public Policy experienceExcellent public speaker with demonstrable communication, writing, and networking skillsPublic Relations experience preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesFirst-hand experience working with the legislative processes of government.Knowledge of aging policy issues.General awareness of current events, legislative activities, and governmental calendars.Sets priorities to meet set deadlines and changing agendas.Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.Ability to develop and maintain community relationships.Rapport-building while elevating issues and concerns with the older adult population.Communicates with staff, government bodies, general public with professionalism and diplomacy.Effectively leverages both traditional and social media to disseminate messaging (Facebook, YouTube, etc.).Proactive, creative, “out-of-the-box” thinking.Experience using camera, video camera, and editing software.Excellent oral and written communication.Writing, proofing, and editing skills.Excellent time management.Works well under pressure with competing priorities and deadlines.Initiative to recognize and anticipate problems, then resolve them.Maintains tact and professional demeanor under adverse circumstances.Diplomatic and tactful.Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe Acrobat.Ability to work independently with general supervision.Working Conditions / Physical DemandsHybrid position – office provided onsite.Position is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds.Requires specific vision abilities to include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.This employer is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action and E-Verify employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.#J-18808-Ljbffr