Director - Government & Community Relations

Salary range is $140k to $240k, with a midpoint of $185k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, plans, directs, and manages the Government and Community Relations activities of a High-Capacity Transit Corridor. This includes working with Sound Transit Board Members and their staff, engaging with elected officials, regional business interests, and other community leaders and partners to build relationships and garner support for Sound Transit mission and goals. Provide an interface with all levels of government within the High-Capacity Transit corridor. Internally, supporting the CEO and all ST departments by providing political insight and facilitating discussions with agency partners, jurisdictions, and elected officials. Supports the Deputy Executive Director of Government and Community Relations and Chief Government Community Relations Officer by providing highly complex and responsible strategic guidance across the agency. Manages government and community relations staff assigned to the corridor to implement the GCR strategy for the corridor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and implements an engagement strategy for elected officials, their staffs, and key community and business partners, as well as groups for Sound Transit in collaboration with Executive management and Executive team, as part of the agency's overall outreach strategy in the Sound Transit corridor.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates Sound Transit's interactions and presentations to local government councils and groups in support of the agency's planning, construction, and operating programs and advise Sound Transit departments on strategic engagement with local land use authorities and jurisdictions.
• Serve as liaison to Board Members, elected officials, their staffs, and key community partners and groups to keep them well-informed of agency activities and priorities and advocate in support of Sound Transit priorities with these jurisdictions, communities, and partners.
• Works in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Leadership, senior management, and capital project teams in external relations across the High-Capacity Transit corridor by providing strategic advice on emerging issues to ensure Sound Transit's projects and services advance.
• Coaches, trains, and motivates Executives, Department, and Program leads to engage externally to improve the agencies support and perceptions throughout the region and to determine times to elevate issues for timely resolution.
• Conducts high level tribal, state, and federal government relations by keeping state legislators and local Congressional staff in the various corridors informed about Sound Transit projects and services at the direction of the tribal, state, and federal relations managers.
• Direct strategic consultant support needed by various capital or operation projects to develop and manage the elected leadership and project stakeholder groups as critical elements of the agency's external engagement efforts.
• Facilitates high level negotiations internally and externally with Board, agency, and department partners.
• Participates in many Boards and Agency wide directives, representing the interests of the organization, community, business, and elected leaders.
• Ability to develop, edit, and deliver effective presentations to external audiences, which includes Mayors, City Councils, federal and state elected and their staffs, business and community leaders.
• Ability to communicate agency priorities related to project development, equity, TOD, station access, environmental process, and permitting requirements in a clear and effective manner.
• Ability to articulate strategic judgement about engagement with elected, jurisdictional staff, and key stakeholders.
• Ability to manage GCR staff subordinates to manage high quality government and community relations work.
• Plans, directs, and manages the work of assigned staff; may assign work activities and coordinate schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates and encourages staff training; manages employee relations and performance reviews; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures performance of the assigned staff and takes appropriate action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; works with the senior leadership to develop the work program for the division.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on policy and political issues relevant within the Corridor.
• Consult and advise Sound Transit on communications approaches for Sound Transit activities in the corridor and draft written materials and presentations.
• Collaborate with agency external engagement staff to develop the agency's strategy and implement priorities.
• Other tasks assigned by the Chief Government and Community Relations Officer and Deputy Executive Director of Government and Community Relations.
• Commitment to furthering the agency values; collaboration, customer focus, inclusion and respect, safety, integrity, and quality.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or closely related field; Eight years of experience working in a political or legislative environment that includes responsibility for public policy, communications, or serving as a policy advisor; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of pertinent tribal, federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Comfort with operational characteristics, services, and activities of a Government and Community Relations Division.
• Experience developing and implementing an external engagement plan or program.
• Knowledge of local, regional, and state policy issues.
• The political and policy arena of the central Puget Sound and Sound Transit's role in the region.
• Principles and practices of policy development and public administration.
• Research and analysis on specific political and technical issues related to transportation policy and project development.
• Analysis of media dynamics and understanding of the role news media plays in public policy.
• Managing a complex set of projects and issues.
• Understanding of key ethics and elections rules and laws Operate in a dynamic political environment.
• State and federal environmental law, as they apply to regional transportation projects; how local governments and state governments develop and pass laws; and intricate knowledge of various legal and political processes.
• Understanding of local codes, motions and ordinances, taxes and taxing authorities and jurisdictions, and financial analysis.
• The business, community, and advocacy communities involved in regional transportation issues and the communities impacted by and benefiting from Agency projects and services.
• Ability to use good judgment and adapt to rapidly changing political environment.
• Ability to produce high quality work in a timely way and to work on several projects simultaneously; and strong interpersonal skills required and ability to work cooperatively with other Sound Transit staff and diverse groups and individuals.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Working with or for elected officials or candidate for public office.
• Understanding how public policy processes relates to local governments.
• Understanding how elected officials, jurisdictions, business, community, and advocacy, and groups involved in Sound Transit projects and services, including the corridor, operate.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Applying policy analysis and government relations' techniques with specialized knowledge of the transit industry.
• Understanding the Agency's political environment and sensitivities.
• Managing political outreach at multiple levels in a complex working environment, where Agency information, systems, and policies are developing or emerging in real time.
• Having the willingness to take initiative in the absence of clear direction and ability to juggle multiple tasks.
• Using good judgment and adapting to rapidly changing political environment.
• Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Managing complex projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.