Principal Community Relations Officer

Basic Function

This position serves as the positive link between Metro, the community, and various stakeholders to create trust and an enduring relationship for Metro; conducts the more complex staff work in connection with community outreach, preparation, and dissemination of informational materials, training, mitigation, and rapid response resolution.

Example Of Duties

• Plans and conducts safety education outreach before and during construction projects
• Researches incidents, complaints, and concerns, including difficult and sensitive problems, and interfaces with contractors and management at all levels of the organization to resolve issues
• Remains up to date on current and proposed activities and programs, and applicable regulations by attending Board, project, and community meetings
• Meets and confers with Metro staff, external stakeholders, and project contractors to resolve conflicting or divergent opinions and to reach mutually acceptable solutions
• Provides high-level liaison work between Metro and Board members, passengers, and external stakeholders, such as elected officials, businesses, and community and special interest groups regarding Metro′s transit services, systems, and programs
• Provides input for developing budget
• Provides input in creating useful communication tools and methods
• Prepares and makes presentations to management, public officials, community groups, schools and other stakeholders
• Develops content for collateral material to educate the public on construction activities
• Provides guidance and assistance to new or entry-level employees
• Prepares Request for Proposals (RFPs) for promotional and/or professional services; negotiates and monitors contracts to ensure compliance with project goals
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out
• Serves as lead staff in planning, implementing, and managing assigned construction projects and other special projects designed to meet community needs
• Provides support to project management and the department, and inter-department management in Board presentations, community outreach, and in coordinating construction activities and mitigations
• Prepares correspondence, reports, newsletter, and talking materials, as requested, by management or public officials
• Plans and implements, or attends publicity efforts, strategies, and outreach programs to define community needs, obtain their input, gain their support, and promote Metro′s projects, programs, and initiatives
• Keeps the community and elected officials informed of construction impacts related to construction projects
• Coordinates and conducts tours of Metro construction projects
• Recommends strategies to promote Metro′s strategic goals and objectives

May Be Required To Perform Other Related Job Duties

Requirements For Employment

A Typical Combination Includes

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Marketing, or a related field

Experience

• Five years of relevant experience performing community relations work; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Must be willing to be on call and work evenings and weekends
• Ability to understand and speak a language other than English may be required for some positions

Knowledge

• Metro transit system
• Theories, principles, and practices of community relations, government relations, and public relations
• Group dynamics and community organizing techniques
• Structure, functioning, and protocol of local government agencies and community groups
• Applicable business software applications
• Research and analytical techniques, methods, and procedures
• Protocols when communicating with public agencies

Skills

• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro staff and outside stakeholders
• Performing effective, diverse, and spontaneous communications
• Working under pressure
• Exercising sound judgement and creativity in making recommendations
• Designing, implementing, and coordinating public or community programs to promote Metro′s services and programs
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

Abilities

• Analyze situations, identify problems, recommend solutions, and evaluate outcomes
• Read, write, speak, and understand English
• Understand, interpret, and apply relevant policies, laws, regulations, and contracts
• Represent Metro before the public
• Write clear comprehensive reports
• Coordinate multiple projects and meet critical deadlines
• Relate to diverse community members

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. (KM)

• Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

Ptsc Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Juneteenth, Cesar E. Chavez Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.

Years of Service Annual Accrual

Hire date - 5 years 20 days

Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days

Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days

Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits : Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.