GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

Responsible for managing outreach and engagement activities with local, state, and federal elected officials and agencies to support the operations and advancement of VIA's programs and projects. As part of a larger team of professionals dedicated to VIA's governmental relations efforts, this position will help to shape, plan, and disseminate information to a varied audience using different approaches and mediums. This individual will represent VIA before different governmental bodies and organizations as part of routine activities undertaken by VIA. This individual will supervise the Government Relations Specialist within Governmental Relations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Leads the Government Relations Specialists staff, overseeing duty and work assignments.

Composes legislative communications and other policy and technical documents as needed to support VIA's efforts at the local and regional level.

Responsible for maintaining active coordination and outreach with governmental officials, in coordination with leadership.

Contributes to activity reports created for community purposes to be distributed to executive management, VIA Board of Trustees and other parties a on a regular basis.

Communicates VIA's vision with local elected leaders and shares their input and feedback with VIA's leadership to complement the existing working relationships of VIA Executives with local elected officials.

Coordinates meetings and briefing sessions as directed and necessary with local partners, major stakeholders, representatives of the business community, partner organizations, regulating agencies, and other key local partners.

Coordinates activities of VIA's contracted advocacy consultants at the local, state, and federal level.

Designs strategic engagement activities in support of adopted VIA positions and agenda.

Represents VIA on standing committees throughout the VIA service area, including but not limited to chambers of commerce, civic organizations, and related entities.

May provide testimony before governmental bodies, in accordance with adopted VIA legislative agendas

This job description excludes marginal functions that are incidental to performing the job. Other duties may exist.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's Degree with concentration in Government, Public Affairs, Public Administration, Communications, Business, Marketing, or related field, and ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental relations or related field, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity. Experience may be substituted in lieu of education on a year-to-year basis up to four (4) years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Emphasis on governmental or public relations related to transportation or experience representing a public entity or elected official.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Experience with, and strong working knowledge of, local government programs.

Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to create content that is factual and grammatically accurate.

Ability to communicate complex policy matters in a concise and easy-to-understand manner.

Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Working knowledge of state and federal legislative processes.

Working knowledge of public information practices and processes.

Ability to interpret, analyze and compile complex data.

Ability to prioritize, summarize and deliver key messages succinctly and effectively.

Ability to engage and inform stakeholders to help ensure public involvement in VIA's key programs and initiatives.

Knowledge of local government and procedures of locally elected bodies.

Must possess strong working relationships, excellent customer service skills, a positive attitude, and be service-oriented and responsive.

Must be organized and able to undertake several projects at once, often with competing priorities and deadlines.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Must be able to maintain good work attendance.

Safety Accountability Statement:

- Employees must consider safety in all tasks performed, as well as demonstrate safe judgment and decisions that not only maintain their own safety; but that of fellow employees and customers.

- Demonstrate a professional commitment to assure compliance with all organizational policies, practices, and programs related to safety, health, and system security.

- Employees have a responsibility to identify and report hazards, as well as potentially unsafe conditions, to your immediate supervisor or Safety Department.

- Employees are responsible, and required, to stop a job/task to prevent an unsafe incident or act from occurring. This acknowledges the threat of potential injury, property damage and the opportunity for better judgment to be used.

Must comply with and support all applicable VIA EEO Policies and Procedures.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical ability required to be mobile, bend, stoop, stand, reach, and occasionally lift 5-25 pounds of objects, such as files, equipment and supplies, and books.

WORK ENVIRONMENTS:

Work involves deadlines and multiple priorities.

Works within normal office environment.

Work may involve irregular work hours and some weekends from time to time.