Director of Public Affairs

Overview of the Public Affairs Department The Public Affairs Department advances SANDAG programs and projects through public engagement and intergovernmental strategies. With a key focus on collaboration, the Public Affairs team cultivates partnerships at the regional, state, federal, and binational levels to share information, encourage public participation, and help secure the funding and support needed to deliver the agency’s priorities. Role The Director of Public Affairs will plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Public Affairs department, including government relations, public information and digital engagement, public outreach, media relations, marketing, and visual communications; coordinate assigned activities with other SANDAG departments, the Board of Directors, Policy Advisory Committees, member agencies, and outside organizations; and provide highly responsible and complex management support to the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Administration. Direct, plan, manage, and coordinate the development and implementation of Public Affairs department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; establish, within SANDAG policy, appropriate resource and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly. Select Public Affairs department personnel; assign and review the work of management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative staff; establish employee performance expectations and evaluate performance; provide or coordinate employee training; work with employees to improve job-related skills and competencies; provide guidance to managers with the implementation of discipline and performance improvement plans if necessary. Meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods, procedures, and necessary resources. Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of Public Affairs activities; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems. Identify and advance policy changes, engagement and legislative strategies, and funding opportunities that support agency programs and initiatives. Oversee public engagement strategies and education campaigns to inform and encourage public participation in agency activities. Oversee the onboarding and technical support of Board members and meetings. Serve as a representative of the agency in public forums to elevate Board priorities and positions. Provide strategic and technical guidance to assist elected officials, executives, and project managers; assist with developing sound strategies for engaging staff, the public, media, and policymakers. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, business community leaders, tribal leaders, interest groups, and legislative and SANDAG staff; develop an understanding of regional issues related to SANDAG programs, activities, and operations. Conduct a variety of organizational and operational studies, investigations, audits, and reviews; recommend modifications to the Public Affairs department programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate. Coordinate the Public Affairs department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; respond to, negotiate, and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues. Participate in a variety of committees and task forces; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of communications. Perform related duties and responsibilities, as assigned. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in mass communications, journalism, public administration, business administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is desirable. At least eight years of increasingly responsible, professional public information, communications, or journalism experience, including four years of supervisory and management experience. Operational characteristics, services, practices, and activities of a comprehensive Public Affairs department, including government relations, public information and communications, public outreach, media relations, marketing, visual communications, and editorial. Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of Public Affairs department programs, policies, and projects. Various federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to Public Affairs department programs, activities, and projects. Modern and complex principles and practices of communications and government relations program development and administration. Advanced marketing, media, and public relations principles and concepts. Advanced principles, practices, methods, and techniques of effective communication. Sources of federal, state, and local funding used for SANDAG programs, funding practices of federal, state, and local grant agencies. Functions of federal, state, and regional government agencies, departments, and institutions and the relationships between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government. State and federal legislative processes and budget cycles. Modern and complex principles and practices of inter-regional and bi-national planning program development and administration. Advanced project management principles and concepts. Advanced principles and practices of personnel management including supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Advanced principles and practices of budget preparation and administration. Organizational and management principles and practices involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources. Various methods and techniques to reach mutually agreeable solutions and outcomes. Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly. 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, program and project coordination, and task coordination. Computers and software programs (e.g. Microsoft software packages) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation. Safe driving principles and practices. The final candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check and credit check. Periodic re-checking of criminal background history will be a condition of employment.

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