Provides strategic policy guidance related to legislative issues, and professional representation of and advocacy for Metro′s policies, projects, and programs before regional and state legislative bodies and regulatory agencies.

• Serves as a liaison for Metro with members of the California State Legislature and local/regional elected officials, to inform and support the legislation and policies benefiting transportation services and projects

• Administers state legislative program development

• Administers legislative policy development and advocacy processes

• Recommends actions and strategies to promote Metro's goals and objectives

• Assists in drafting Metro-sponsored legislation and reviews and analyzes legislation to determine possible effect on Metro′s operations, funding, and special programs

• Administers work output of contract lobbyists, including the development of a scope of work, and daily instruction and direction based on Metro policy

• Informs the Board of Directors, executive management, and other staff on legislative policy

• Responsible for elements of complex community relation′s projects and activities, including coordinating and conducting tours and special events for elected officials, their staff, and regional representatives

• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity Office (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

  
  May be required to perform other related job duties

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of legislative and advocacy processes, including bill drafting legislative analysis, and legislative structures

• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing legislative procedures and lobbying practices for a public transit agency

• The political environment at the federal, state, and regional level

• Current elected and appointed officials of federal, state, and regional government

• Communication and presentation practices

• Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Performing advocacy work in support of transportation policy, programs, and services

• Preparing complex legislative analysis

• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, and recommending solutions

• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions

• Determining strategies to achieve goals

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro staff, Board of Directors, elected officials, and outside representatives

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Meet tight time constraints and deadlines

• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budget and labor/management agreements

• Mediate and negotiate with agency, association and legislative staffs

• Represent and advocate for Metro before the public and legislative bodies

• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence

• Maintain highly confidential and politically sensitive information

• Compile and analyze complex data

• Travel to offsite locations

• Read, write, speak, and understand English

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related field; Master′s Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant experience performing legislative analysis, lobbyist work, or public affairs work for a public sector or governmental agency or lobbyist firm; or working as a staff member for an elected official, legislative committee or government/public affairs office; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

• Irregular hours

• Out-of-state travel may be required

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation

• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

• Local Travel

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table

• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium

• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions

• Standing

• Communicating through speech in the English language required