Caltrain Government and Community Affairs Officer

• Serve as the primary government and community affairs contact for a portfolio of capital projects, including developing a working understanding of the scope, timing, requirements, funding needs and plan of each project on an ongoing basis.??
  

• Develop outreach plans to make elected officials and staff at the city, county and, as necessary, state level aware of progress, funding needs, challenges and benefits of Caltrain projects.?
  

• Attend project status and update meetings for capital projects on a regular basis and ensure critical information is conveyed in a timely fashion to the GCA team and Caltrain Chief of staff, as appropriate .??
  

• Disseminate complex technical material and assist in development of strategic communications about programs, plans, and projects including print and social media.?
  

• Plan and coordinate outreach events to individuals and communities affected by planned or ongoing projects.??
  

• Support internal departments with community and government and community affairs communications needs.?
  

• Research, write and edit collateral materials, including fact sheets, newsletters, brochures and news releases related to Caltrain capital project s .??
  

• Provide strategic advice, guidance, and messaging support on technical material to internal and external stakeholders
  

• Lead, plan, organize and coordinate special events , such as groundbreakings, project tours, board member and elected official briefings, ribbon cuttings and other public events.?
  

• Coordinate activities that build awareness and effectively promote the agency’s overall activities, policies, and goals.??
  

• Attend or make presentations to City Councils, boards, advisory committees, and commissions and other related civic and community groups that may be at night and on weekends.??
  

• Maintain distribution database lists.??
  

• Research and respond to media inquiries from print, broadcast, and online news outlets.??
  

• Research and respond to inquiries, comments, concerns and complaints from the public. Communication may occur in a variety of mediums including in-person, blog posts, social media, email and phone.??
  

• Staff and coordinate special events , make presentations to community groups, and interact with public at agency hosted meetings.??
  

• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect yourself, your fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.??
  

• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications , Political Science, Public Relations, Journalism or a closely related field.??
  

• Two years’ experience in community or government affairs .
  

• Effective oral and written communications skills.?
  

• Direct experience monitoring and developing government and community affairs strategy for large capital projects.
  

• Masters Degree in Communications , Political Science, Public Relations, Journalism or a closely related field.
  

• Experience working with elected and appointed officials and/or community organizations along the Caltrain corridor
  

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
  

San Mateo County Transit District

650-508-6308