The Government Relations Officer serves as a liaison between Metro and members of the State and Federal Legislature and their staff and provides legislative research in support of Metro’s State and Federal Legislative programs and outreach to regional, state, and federal legislative bodies and regulatory agencies.

• Researches and analyzes proposed and existing legislation to determine possible impact on Metro operations, funding, and special programs

• Assists in coordinating and organizing stakeholder briefings, elected official briefings, press conferences, and special media events to promote Metro’s projects, programs, and initiatives

• Monitors Legislation using legislative research tools and keeps Metro’s Legislative files current

• Assists in the planning and coordinating of meetings, special events, and tours between Metro staff and elected officials and their staff to discuss Metro projects, Measure M, legislative issues, and proposals

• Responds to requests for transportation-related information from Metro internal and external affiliates, stakeholders, elected officials, community-based organizations or nonprofit group

• Researches issues and topics in support of the Board-approved Legislative programs

• Drafts content and other related government relations materials

• Keeps abreast of current and proposed activities and programs and applicable regulations by attending Board and stakeholder meetings

• Promotes Metro’s projects, programs, and initiatives by disseminating public information, assisting in or attending special events, and interacting with community stakeholders

• Conducts tours of Metro facilities

• Prepare reports, newsletters, correspondence, and talking materials as requested by management or public officials, as required

• Keeps elected officials informed of construction impacts related to construction projects and works with Community Relations for outreach

• Performs administrative duties such as coordinates e-blasts and notices to elected offices; coordinates meeting logistics; resolves issues; sets up and confirms participation at meetings and events; screens, responds to, or forwards telephone calls; reviews incoming mail and faxes; photographs public events and meetings; sets up meetings on behalf of the department including notifying and confirming participants, locating and reserving sites, setting up room, and preparing and providing support materials

• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (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 transportation-related research and governmental affairs

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

• Research principles, techniques and competent presentation skills

• Applicable business software applications

• Organization and processes of regional, state, and federal governments

• Research and analytical techniques, methods, and procedures

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

• Representing organizations before the public and/or preparing presentations to deliver to stakeholders and elected officials and their staff

• Coordinating and facilitating meetings and events

• Researching legislation and/or legislative policy related to transportation issues and state and federal funding

• Establishing and implementing policies for streamlining processes

• Critical thinking and analysis, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes

• Exercising sound judgement and creativity in decision making

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

• Interacting professionally with various levels and departments and outside representatives

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

• Understand and interpret laws, rules, regulations, policies, and contracts

• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence

• Exercise judgment and creativity within established policy guidelines

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing

• Represent Metro before the public

• Interact professionally with various levels of Metro employees, the Board of Directors, public and private agencies, and the community

• Travel to offsite locations within a reasonable timeframe

• 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, Communications, Public Administration English, Communications or a related field

Experience 

• One year of relevant experience performing community relations, legislative research, or governmental or public affairs work for an elected official, non-profit, public, or governmental agency

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

• Available for in-state and/or out-of-state travel to assist Government Relations Managers

• Some flexible hours

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

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

• Communicating through speech in the English language required