Principal Government & Community Relations Representative

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Pay Rate
AFSCME (Pay Grade A17)
$138,881.60 (Step 1) - $168,812.80 (Step 5)
Note: The starting negotiable salary offer will be commensurate with experience and education.

Current Assignments

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual to fill an immediate vacancy within the Government and Community Relations Department. The position will be primarily responsible for working with elected bodies and community stakeholders in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. However, at the hiring manager's discretion, the selected candidate may be assigned work throughout BART's service area.

The position requires frequent off-hour shifts, including nights and weekends at in-person community events and stakeholder meetings.

The Principal Representative plays a key role in strengthening BART's relationships with local governments, businesses, community organizations, and other transit stakeholders. This position collaborates closely with elected officials, internal BART teams, and members of the BART Board of Directors to address community concerns, foster productive partnerships, and enhance the agency's presence and reputation across the region. In addition, the incumbent plans and leads outreach efforts within their assigned territory to communicate information about BART projects, programs, and funding priorities. This role also identifies opportunities to engage new audiences, expand the reach of BART's messaging, and works with management to incorporate community input into ongoing planning and decision-making.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the region's political landscape and public sentiment related to transit and applies this awareness to inform decisions and stakeholder engagement.
• Skilled communicator with experience in monitoring, identifying, and resolving conflicts or perceived issues that arise between an agency and the public.
• Knowledge of outreach strategies that build cooperative relationships with community stakeholders and local elected bodies/officials.
• Demonstrated case management skills to effectively work with internal and external partners to address problems raised by an individual or group.
• Attention to detail and ability to monitor meetings and agendas of local elected bodies for items relevant to BART.
• Experience in staffing, scheduling, and developing materials for agency leaders and elected officials.
• Strong writing skills to be an effective advocate and communicator.
• Willingness to represent BART at community fairs, festivals, and other large events.

Application & Selection Process

This position is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). All applicants must apply online at www.bart.gov/jobs.

All applicants are asked to complete the application/bid form in full, indicating dates of employment, all positions held, hours worked, and a full description of duties, and are invited to electronically attach a resume to the application form to provide supplemental information, but should not consider the resume a substitute for the application/bid form itself. Applications must be complete by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement.

The Talent Acquisition Division will screen applications/resumes against the minimum qualifications. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the hiring department for further consideration. The selection process may involve a skills/performance test, a written exam, and/or a panel interview. Outside applicants will not be considered until all employees who have applied have been considered first.

The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S.; pass a pre-employment medical examination, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include a background check. (Does not apply to current full-time District employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).

The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Applicants needing assistance with the online application process may receive additional information by contacting the Talent Acquisition Division at (510) 464-6112 or employment@bart.gov.

1. Plans, prioritizes, and participates in the implementation of annual advocacy campaigns to secure local funding appropriations and support for the District's short and long range expansion and renovation plans.
   
   
2. Works directly with elected members of the Bay Area local government delegation to gain support for District plans, policies and political strategies.
   
   
3. Establishes, implements, and manages public outreach programs throughout the Bay Area to maintain a cohesive community-based support for BART District, advises other community relations staff on sensitive district-wide local and political issues.
   
   
4. Represents the District on community and political issues before elected Boards and Commissions.
   
   
5. Works with outside consultants, monitors and advises management of consultant's progress and quality of work performed.
   
   
6. Communicates and works directly with BART Board members to respond to local and political issues relevant to their respective districts.
   
   
7. Prepares reports and other related communications about funding issues, District policies, legislative matters and public information for use by BART management, BART Board members, external public agencies, political bodies and community organizations.
   
   
8. Performs the most technical and complex tasks of the work unit including special projects which have a major impact, participates in the development of policies and procedures, recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives and may provide or coordinate training.
   
   
9. Confers with and provides professional assistance to District departments on government and community relations matters, such as: collaborates with the Real Estate Department, Access Facilities, Planning and Extensions Planning to provide Community Relations support for systems projects that impact the community.

Education:
A Bachelor's degree in public administration, political science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience:
Four (4) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional government or community relations program development and implementation experience.

Substitution:
Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for- year basis. A Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced knowledge of services and activities of a government and community relations program
• Principles of capital funding advocacy
• Outreach programs that build cooperative relationships with community groups, organizations, local elected officials
• Principles and practices of legislative program development
• Principles of lead supervision and training
• Principles and practices of legislative lobbying and advocacy programs
• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures of government agencies and legislative bodies
• Transit funding programs and processes
• Advanced methods and techniques of policy analysis
• Current office procedures, methods and equipment including computers
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation
• Advanced methods and techniques of public relations
• Related Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations

• Maintaining personal contacts with key officials or representatives of organizations
• Coordinating the work of advocacy committees
• Independently performing the most difficult and complex local government and community relations work
• Interpreting, explaining and enforcing department policies and procedures
• Working independently in the absence of supervision
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of Work
• Evaluating and analyzing effectiveness of programs and activities
• Operating office equipment
• Operating standard computer applications such as basic word processing, spreadsheet and database Programs
• Overseeing the work of consultant staff

Equal Employment OpportunityGroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov.

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs.