Director of Legislative and Public Affairs - San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) : Job Details

First round of applications will be reviewed on July 28, 2025

Led by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials from each of the 24 cities and towns and the five county supervisorial districts, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) staff is focused primarily on freeway, interchange, and transit enhancements to the region that first and foremost benefit the taxpayer of San Bernardino County. Coupling that effort with various non-transportation related objectives from the Council of Governments role of the agency brings the mission of providing quality of life improvements to the residents, business operators, and commuters of our region to the forefront.

For more than four decades, SBCTA (previously known as SANBAG) has taken pride in delivering on its commitment to the voters through the implementation of Measure I. This half-cent sales tax that generates transportation dollars from the region and for the region is a critical element in the agency's goal to keep people and goods moving effectively. SBCTA calls the historic San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot home. Our headquarters not only positions the agency in the heart of the county but is symbolic of our longstanding commitment to transportation.

ABOUT THE JOB

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides leadership to the Legislative and Public Affairs Department; fosters cooperative working relationships among departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Deputy Executive Director and Executive Director in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives administrative direction from the Deputy Executive Director. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

Class Characteristics

This is a department director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Legislative and Public Affairs Department, including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of department policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the Deputy Executive Director and Executive Director in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, SBCTA functions and activities, including the role of the Governing Board, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering SBCTA's mission, goals, and objectives within general policy guidelines.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assumes full management of the Legislative and Public Affairs Department including public affairs, community and government relations, outreach, and media relations programs.
• Develops and directs the implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and SBCTA needs; monitors and evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes.
• Manages the development and administration of assigned budgets; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Leads the formulation, strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of SBCTA's legislative, public affairs, and communications programs, projects, and activities; provides expert guidance and assistance to the Board, management, and staff.
• Serves as a liaison and builds coalitions between SBCTA and elected and appointed officials, local, regional, state, and federal representatives and agencies, advocacy organizations, community representatives, the media, and the public in order to advance the priorities and interests of SBCTA and member agencies; negotiates legislative and policy issues impacting SBCTA programs and projects.
• Monitors, tracks, and analyzes legislation affecting SBCTA programs; develops state/federal legislative platforms; represents SBCTA's position regarding legislation to special interest groups, local, state, federal agencies, legislators, and lobbyists; maintains ongoing effective liaison with state and federal legislative representatives; organizes advocacy trips and plans and implements regional forum series; testifies at regional, state, federal hearings representing SBCTA/regional interests.
• Drafts legislation, amendments, and changes to policy or regulatory items for executive management and Board review and approval.
• Manages SBCTA's image by reviewing of materials developed by other departments for public distribution, outreach programs, projects, and issues of importance to SBCTA; ensures consistent, timely, accurate messages across department functions; assesses and provides advice on impacts to SBCTA's image and public perception.
• Develops and manages outreach services, social media, and education programs to increase awareness of SBCTA programs and services; participates in various community events.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Deputy Executive Director; conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents reports, various management and information updates, and reports to the Board of Directors and various commissions, committees, and boards.
• Manages the organization and maintenance of accurate and detailed databases, spreadsheets, files, and records; verifies accuracy of information and ensures compliance with established records retention policies, procedures, and schedules.
• Attends, participates, and represents SBCTA at interdepartmental, interagency, and professional meetings; monitors legal, regulatory, technology, and societal changes, and court decisions and stays abreast of new trends and innovations in public and legislative affairs.
• Participates on the Executive Management Team providing input on implementation of Board of Directors' goals, policies, and directives.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to requests for information and/or questions in a professional manner; refers matters requiring policy interpretation to supervisor for resolution.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of assigned area of responsibility.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of public affairs, community and government relations, outreach, and media relations program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to fund administration.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the vendors and SBCTA staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement department goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership to the Legislative and Public Affairs Department.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Develop, plan, coordinate, and implement legislative and public affairs programs and services suited to the needs of the community and SBCTA.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner and draw sound conclusions.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of department goals.
• Prepare and present clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Effectively represent the SBCTA in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Understand, interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Use tact, initiative, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines and legal requirements.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Education and/or Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in communications, public relations, media relations, journalism, political science, business or public administration, or a closely related field and ten (10) years of broad and increasingly responsible professional experience in legislative and public affairs, including two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

Requires possession of a valid California Driver's License, a satisfactory driving record, and a properly registered and insured vehicle, to be maintained throughout employment.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various SBCTA sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures.

#J-18808-Ljbffr