About the Department

The Government and Community Affairs Officer reports to the Manager, Government and Community Affairs SamTrans/TA and is responsible for assisting with outreach and engagement for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), and the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA).

Position Duties

Examples of Essential Functions:

• Assist in leading community outreach for SMCTD projects working with Community Based Organizations (CBO), cities/agencies, stakeholders, employee volunteers and paid ambassadors and interpreters.
• Nurture and grow District relationships with CBOs, manage involvement in District projects including collaborating with CBOs for paid outreach activities. Work with CBO partners to develop CBO lead engagement plans including in person and virtual outreach, multi-lingual engagement, and small group conversations and events. Facilitate CBO members’ ability to give direct feedback on District projects.
• Develop and implement culturally competent strategies and outreach plans for community and stakeholder engagement in San Mateo County. Assess outreach goals and develop plans that target different communities based on best practices for that community including when and where to use multilingual strategies.
• Act as primary point of contact for city and agency staff and other stakeholders. Respond to individual request from cities, agencies and other stakeholders as needed. Assist internal staff with requests they have to outside stakeholders and government organizations.
• Develop understanding of agency projects to present in public forums; create presentations, talking points, project support letters and other materials.
• Assess District engagement options in San Mateo County such as through event sponsorship and organizational membership.

Examples of Duties:

• Manage day-to-day CBO engagement with District projects including schedule, budget, and activities.
• Run outreach campaigns including schedule, coordination, and action items. Train participants as needed.
• Work with District staff to develop responses to city/agency and other stakeholder inquiries, draft content, and act as liaison with city/agency staff and other stakeholders.
• Create outreach materials including talking points, PowerPoints, and handouts.
• Develop metrics for analyzing success of outreach efforts. Improve outreach strategies based on that data.
• Give public presentations on agency projects to agency committees as well as outside stakeholder groups such as Chambers of Commerce, Advocacy Groups, or other government entity Boards and Committees.
• Represent communications on cross-functional teams. Coordinate activities of different branches of communications department including marketing and customer communications, public affairs, and digital media.
• Significant usage of digital tools such as databases, email blasts, and virtual meetings.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field.
• Three years or more of experience in the field of Government and Community Affairs, Political Campaigns, Labor Organizing, Communications, Public Relations, Community Outreach or other relevant fields. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Organized and detail oriented with ability to track multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to speak in front of and liaise with a variety of audiences and appropriately respond to difficult questions in a politically sensitive and technically correct way.
• Must have effective oral and written communication skills.
• High level of comfort with using digital tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, database programs, website updates, slide deck creation, and email blast programs.
• Experience working with community or government officials is desirable.

Benefits

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. 

Agency Information

Employer

San Mateo County Transit District