Manager, Government and Community Affairs

General

The Manager, Government and Community Affairs reports to the Director, Government and Community Affairs and is responsible for strategic development and management of government and community relations with a primary focus on the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), with additional work on San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) and the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA). This position will focus on local agency, stakeholder, and community engagement and assist with regional, state, and federal efforts.

Essential Functions & Duties

• Plan and execute robust, diverse, and inclusive broad-based communications and direct engagement with relevant communities; primary focus is capital construction projects for SMCTA, SamTrans, and SMCEL-JPA, secondary focus is engagement for strategic planning projects; work closely with technical staff and supervise consultant work.
• Lead GCA communications support for strategic planning and capital construction projects the SMCTA is providing technical assistance on.
• Build support for projects, manage agency relationships and lead engagement with residents and local stakeholders including elected officials, cities, business, and community groups.
• Monitor responses to projects and engage cross functional teams to ensure clear and timely communication on key policy, project, or planning goals and to respond to stakeholder and community requests and concerns.
• Provide strategic guidance to agency leadership and teams on areas ranging from community opposition to a specific project to Federal funding.
• Manage state and/or federal lobbyists, prepare the annual state and federal legislative program, and provide support for grant and other funding applications.
• Assist in overall departmental management including budgeting and department policy development.
• Supervise SamTrans/TA Government and Community Affairs staff. Hire, mentor, and take appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. Ensure EEO policies and procedures are followed. Participate in the selection of staff. Coordinate staff training and professional development. Establish performance objectives. Monitor and evaluate employee performance.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Develop and execute Public Outreach Plans for capital construction, strategic planning, and transportation tax revenue projects; lead cross-functional teams of staff and consultants; track deliverables and deadlines.
• Meet with stakeholders to identify questions and concerns; work with internal staff and consultants to develop appropriate responses and resolutions.
• Work on development and execution of transportation funding revenue measures; coordinate with internal and external stakeholders; gather community feedback and identify key issues; manage consultant deliverables and deadlines.
• Incorporate working with paid community-oriented groups into engagement process.
• Represent agency both internally and externally; participate in meetings and present information.
• Write, review, edit, and approve collateral materials, including webpage content, presentations, fact sheets, project updates, work notices, and newsletters.
• Manage staff and report progress on projects to Government and Community Affairs Director.
• Evaluate job performance of staff which also includes the professional development of staff through the identification of on-the-job and other professional development opportunities.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one’s self, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Political Science, Planning, Public Policy, Communications or other relevant field.
• Five (5) years of full-time experience in the area of policy development, public engagement, political campaigns or another relevant field.
• Two (2) years’ experience managing professional staff or consultants

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Direct experience leading communications for capital construction projects.
• Possess critical thinking and independent judgment with direct impact on community engagement, governmental partnerships, and strategic planning
• Ability to work on evenings and weekends.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 1/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• San Mateo County Transit District

• 650-508-6308

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