Manager Government & Community Affairs

Caltrain Manager Government & Community Affairs

The Caltrain Manager, Government & Community Affairs (Federal & State) reports to the Director, Government & Community Affairs, Caltrain. This role is responsible for the strategic development and management of government and community relations for the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), focusing on legislative relationships and activities at the federal, state, and regional level. The position will handle all legislative and government affairs policy activities, support the capital infrastructure government affairs team as needed, and ensure Caltrain’s policies and positions are communicated to government officials and stakeholders.

• Oversight of all Caltrain’s proposed state, federal and regional legislative program for Board consideration.
• Serve as staff lead for Caltrain delegations, overseeing all content and materials for California State and Federal legislative offices, ensuring timely communication of key legislative and policy goals.
• Work with state legislative offices to identify sponsorship or co‑sponsorship of legislation in the interest of Caltrain and share policies and positions with government officials.
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies to secure funding and political support for major capital and planning projects, engaging legislators, government agencies and key stakeholders; provide recommendations on state and federal legislation.
• Manage and direct Caltrain’s federal and state lobbyists, oversee their contracts and budgets.
• Manage agency relationships with state and federal government officials and other entities to garner support for Caltrain’s legislative and policy goals.
• Research and analyze legislation and regulatory proposals from think‑tanks, legislators, business groups, transit advocates and others proposing transit reforms.
• Represent Caltrain before state and federal agency staff and on committees for transit industry associations, proposing state legislation that meets Caltrain’s organizational goals.
• Brief and advise Caltrain Board, Executive Director and senior staff on proposed state and federal legislation that could affect Caltrain.
• Supervise staff and consultants; hire, mentor, take corrective action, ensure EEO policies are followed, coordinate training, establish performance objectives and evaluate employee performance.

• Regular attendance and visits with state and federal legislators.
• Edit and approve Caltrain’s proposed state and federal legislative program for board consideration.
• Oversee Caltrain’s interaction with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and other relevant bodies.
• Analyze MTC committee and board memos, monitor agendas and meetings to keep staff apprised of potential actions.
• Coordinate with Grants, Planning and other departments on advocacy at MTC on regional, state and federal issues.
• Prepare materials for the Regional Network Management Council and related bodies.
• Interact with the California High Speed Rail Authority (HSR) legislative and grant staff.
• Maintain relationships with elected officials and their staff to advance Caltrain’s policy and funding priorities.
• Draft memos and position statements to county and regional boards and, when needed, present those positions to those boards.
• Represent Caltrain in groups of Bay Area transit agency government relations staff and industry association committees.
• Advise executive leadership and the Board on legislation affecting Caltrain’s planning, safety and other issues.
• Evaluate staff performance and facilitate professional development.
• Perform all duties safely, promoting safety awareness and adhering to safety procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Candidate must demonstrate sufficient experience, training or education. Work‑related experience may substitute for a degree.

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics or a comparable field.
• Five years of full‑time professional experience communicating policy programs or initiatives to external stakeholders.
• Two years’ experience managing professional staff, consultants, or state/federal…