Pierce Transit is an independent municipal organization, dedicated to fulfilling the mission of improving people's quality of life by providing safe, reliable, innovative, and useful transportation services that are locally based and regionally connected.

We are currently recruiting for a Government Relations Administrator to lead federal, state, regional and local government relations activities, and pursue principal objectives on behalf of the agency. In this role, you will ensure goals are carried out during the state and federal legislative processes and throughout the year. The ideal candidate for this opportunity will have knowledge and experience in the legislative processes for local, regional, state, and federal governing bodies as well as skills in community and government relations techniques and protocols. As the Government Relations Administrator, you will perform a variety of critical duties to identify and build strategic coalitions and partnerships with local elected officials in Pierce County, as well as state and federal lawmakers to address legislation on transportation-related goals and objectives for Pierce Transit.

BENEFITS:
At Pierce Transit, our employees’ health is important to us too!

That’s why we offer two on-site gyms and an incredible Wellness Program in addition to excellent medical, dental, and vision packages.

If your career goals change while you are employed, we are here to help. Pierce Transit offers $5,000 per year (up to a total of $18,000) in Tuition Assistance after your one-year anniversary. Certifications, and career skills must be connected to a job at Pierce Transit.

All Pierce Transit employees are required to participate in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Pierce Transit offers two Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans to choose from, PERS2 and PERS3, as well as a matching program for 457 deferred compensation.

Employees are not covered under the Social Security System except for a 1.45% payment for Medicare.

Pierce Transit provides an ORCA Card benefit for each employee and a family member. This benefit provides free access to service on Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Monorail, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Foot Ferry.

PAID LEAVE:
Full-time Pierce Transit employees receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 6 days of major sick leave, and 22 days of paid time off (PTO) per year. PTO accrual rates increase per policy.

• Develops state and federal legislative agendas in collaboration with other agency personnel, including CEO and Board of Commissioners, and obtains Board approval.
• Communicates and advocates agency strategic and legislative priorities with local, state and federal officials and their staff, partner organizations, and key stakeholders, including through in-person meetings in Olympia and Washington, D.C
• Serves as liaison between Pierce Transit and the agency’s state and federal advocacy teams; work with those teams, the agency’s CEO and others to carry out legislative goals and objectives.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships and partnerships with government bodies, government-related organizations, key lawmakers and staff, and others to promote agency’s goals.
• Makes formal and informal presentations to local, state and federal government bodies and responds to requests from elected officials and community leaders.
• Provides guidance and support to agency's Grants team to ensure our grant requests are competitive and successful, and secures support (including through obtaining letters of support) from lawmakers and community organizations.
• Collaborates with other Government Relations personnel associated with key businesses, transit agencies, community organizations, and special interest groups.
• Ensures the agency's needs, positions, and requests are effectively and positively presented to appropriate organizations and stakeholders.
• Acts as liaison between other government entities and internal stakeholders to communicate vision for future agency projects in alignment with community goals.
• Advises the Chief Executive Officer, the agency's Board of Directors, and internal staff on legislative issues and recommends strategies, organizational actions, and programs to achieve positive influence on the agency’s public transportation priorities.
• Represents the agency on committees, at lobbyist meetings and in public hearings relating to public transportation and related issues. May represent the agency on Boards.
• Organizes and attends meetings with agency’s CEO and lawmakers, staff, government agencies and others, including locally and in Olympia and Washington, D.C.
• Demonstrates reliable and consistent attendance.
• Performs related work as required.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in political science, Sociology, Communications, Public Administration or a related field AND five (5) years of experience in a government relations-related field.
• Experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis (Nine years of experience in a government relations-related field is required to meet the minimum qualifications)

Desired:

• Transportation industry experience desired.
• Familiarity with Pierce County local and state lawmakers desired.

Licensing, Certifications and other legal requirements:

• Individuals must pass a background check.

Knowledge of:

• Legislative processes for local, regional, state, and federal governing bodies
• Community priorities and resources
• Community and government relations techniques and protocols
• Local, state, and federal legislation with an emphasis on transportation-related issues
• Traditional and social media communications platforms
• Business English
• Standard office procedures
• Microsoft Office products

Skill in:

• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature (multi-tasking)
• Customer service
• Communications (strong verbal and written skills)
• Organizational/time management skills
• Attention to detail
• Computer and database skills
• Public presentations and speaking

Ability to:

• Identify and build strategic coalitions and partnerships
• Conduct statistical analysis
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Work independently
• Travel when needed, including to Washington, D.C.

Competencies:

• Regularly meets expectations for work schedule, accomplishing assignments, and serving as a source of supply and support for the internal partners, customers, and/or the organization.
• Establishes a clear purpose and direction for others to channel their energy towards a common purpose. Enlists and energizes others to pursue excellence, make significant contributions, and grow the agency’s resources, reputation and support. Inspires commitment to achieving agency’s goals.
• Works effectively and productively with others, often in a team setting. Works cooperatively, effectively and productively with internal and external customers. Has an ability to build strong relationships and partnerships.
• Speaks, writes, and listens effectively in a variety of circumstances, sharing information and ideas with others.
• Focuses on building and protecting the image, reputation and long-term interests of a group or organization within the industry or community.
• Is aware of economic, political, social and demographic environments and their impact on the organization.

Physical requirements:

• The position involves sedentary work, such as exerting up to 1O lbs. of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Involves sitting most of the time, with common physical demands involving desk or office related work.

Working conditions:

• This position works in an office environment relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.

Education Requirements
Any required education must come from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U S Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent.

Application Instructions

To be considered for this vacancy you must apply online:

1. The online application must include a chronological work and/or education history covering ten years.
2. Applicants must also attach a cover letter stating how they meet the qualifications for the position in order to be considered.
3. At least 3 professional references to include a recent or current supervisor with names, email addresses and current phone numbers.

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• Please ensure that your work history has been updated to include employment end dates as applicable.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the information provided in the supplemental questions and the content and completeness of the "work experience" and "education" sections of your application at www.piercetransit/careers/.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
• All information may be verified, and documentation may be required.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Pierce Transit Human Resources @ 253-581-8095 or jobs@piercetransit.org

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

Pierce Transit Is An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Pierce Transit has a strong commitment to the community we serve and our employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Pierce Transit's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation