Manager of Government Relations

Profile

Application Due Date:

June 17, 2022

Expected Start Date:

July 2022

Role

The Manager of Government Relations will lead a dynamic team that actively works to pass legislation, find funding, and create partnerships that help implement SANDAG’s highest priorities for the San Diego region. By working directly with elected officials and staff, stakeholders, and the community at the binational, federal, state, and regional levels, the Government Relations team ensures SANDAG is at the forefront of policy discussions and continues to serve as a model for regional planning and project delivery through its legislative and partnership programs.

Overview of the Government Relations Team

The Government Relations team advances SANDAG programs and projects through intergovernmental strategies, policy, and legislation. With a key focus on collaboration, the Government Relations team cultivates partnerships at the regional, state, federal, and binational levels to help secure the funding and support needed to deliver the agency’s priorities.

Job Responsibilities

• Advise the Director of Public Affairs on legislative matters, borders developments, and regional issues related to SANDAG programs, activities, and operations.

• Oversee development and implementation of the annual SANDAG Legislative Program; identify policy changes and funding opportunities that support agency programs and initiatives; monitor and report on legislative and regulatory actions.

• Oversee implementation of the agency’s Borders Program; including activities that foster collaboration between SANDAG, neighboring counties, tribal governments, and the Republic of Mexico; and advancement of SANDAG participation in key borders forums and policymaking discussions.

• Oversee implementation of the Regional Affairs Program; including engagement with the Board of Directors and Policy Advisory Committees and partnership opportunities with regional and local stakeholders to advance SANDAG policies, projects, and programs.

• Represent the Legislative Affairs program to other SANDAG departments, the Board of Directors, Policy Advisory Committees, elected

officials, outside agencies and organizations, and/or community groups.

• Supervise, mentor, train, and provide career development opportunities for supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative level employees.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, business community leaders, tribal leaders, interest groups, and legislative and SANDAG staff.

• Assemble high-level interdepartmental and/or interagency work teams or external local, state, and national interest groups and coordinate the analysis of federal and state policy issues affecting the agency.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in political science, regional planning, public or business administration, International relations, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable. A combination of education and recent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• At least seven years of increasingly responsible, professional legislative analysis or governmental relations experience, including two years of

supervisory experience. Experience working directly for a legislative or elected office is encouraged.

• Demonstrated experience supporting a comprehensive Legislative Affairs program; solid understanding of the functions of federal, state, and regional government agencies, departments, and the relationships between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government; experience working with state and/or federal administrative and/or legislative office, department, or government agencies.

• Demonstrated understanding of U.S.-Mexico relations; Baja-California region; and binational trends and developments, related to transportation, land use, environment, economic development, housing, and public safety.

• Knowledge of various federal, state, and local, codes, and regulations, budget cycles, and social trends and principles, related to transportation, land use, environment, economic development, housing, and public safety.

• Successful experience identifying various sources of Federal, state, and local funding opportunities to support organizational programs and initiatives.

• Experience with contracts management and project management, including preparing budgets and schedules; developing grant proposals, RFPs, scopes of work, and contracts; experience evaluating proposals and selecting and managing consultants.

• Experience supervising and evaluating the work of professional and technical personnel; experience providing administrative and professional leadership, training, and direction for assigned programs and projects.

• Outstanding research, writing, and editing skills; experience designing and writing engaging and compelling informational material for publication and presentation for a variety of audiences and purposes.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to prepare and deliver public presentations to Boards, community groups, and other audiences. Spanish language skills desirable.

• Capacity to establish, maintain, and foster cooperative and collaborative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; ability to gain cooperation and consensus through discussion and persuasion.

How to Apply

Interested candidates may apply for this position by completing a SANDAG

Employment Application

at sandag.org/careers.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), SANDAG will accommodate persons who require assistance in order to apply for a position at SANDAG. Applicants requiring an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the recruitment and selection process, including requesting this document and related application materials in an alternative format, should make their needs known by contacting Human Resources at hr@sandag.org

, (619) 699-1900, (619) 699-1904 (TTY), or fax (619) 699-6905.

Benefits

Our benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as employee assistance, wellness, and work/life balance programs. Retirement and financial security benefits are provided through a pension plan and deferred compensation program. SANDAG offers flexible work schedules and employees are provided with paid time off and paid holidays.

The employee selected for this position will be offered a three-year At-Will employment contract, which provides an annual $5,000 contribution to their defined contribution plan.

Further Information

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, applicants hired by SANDAG must show acceptable proof of identity and evidence of authorization to work in the United States.

The selected candidate can anticipate a driving record check upon hire, and approximately annually thereafter. The results of the check may determine whether the selected candidate will be permitted to drive for SANDAG business.

SANDAG requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID 19 within 45 days of hire; the COVID-19 vaccine booster also is required within 30 days from the date of hire, or 30 days after becoming eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster, whichever is sooner; reasonable accommodation requests will be considered.

SANDAG employees are expected to work in-person in our San Diego office.

Contact Us

401 B Street, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101-4231

(619) 699-1900 | TTY/TDD: (888) 722-4889

sandag.org

hr@sandag.org

SANDAG is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Company info

SANDAG.
Phone : (619) 699-1900
Fax : (619) 699-1905
Website : http://sandag.org