Government And Community Affairs Division Manager

Job Posting Title

Government and Community Affairs Division Manager

Agency

345 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Supervisory Organization

Deputy Director

Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank)

April 05, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

$122,000 Level II

Job Description

The Government and Community Affairs Division Manager leads the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Division responsible for formulating and refining Oklahoma's transportation policy; representing and promoting ODOT's interests in federal and state legislative and rule-making processes; maintaining positive and collaborative relationships with government representatives and agencies across the spectrum of federal, tribal, state, county, city, town, and neighborhood; and ensuring effective strategic communication and engagement with stakeholders, communities and the general public through all means and methods, including traditional and social media.

This individual will:

• Build and maintain positive relationships with federal, tribal, state, and local government officials.

• Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments that may impact the organization.

• Actively represent the Department in federal transportation reauthorization, federal/state appropriations, and state legislative processes.

• Advocate for the organization's interests with policymakers and government agencies.

• Develop and execute strategies to shape public policy in alignment with the organization's objectives.

• Oversee and monitor policies, processes, events, and initiatives to garner input and understanding of communities' concerns and ensure consideration of those concerns in ODOT's projects and programs.

• Ensure effective communication with the public through social and mainstream media for all ODOT operations and initiatives.

• Plan and oversee the preparation of materials, videos, press releases, statements, and briefing documents to support the agency's needs.

• Plan and oversee recurring events such as monthly commission meetings and press conferences and assist with special events like ODOT-hosted or sponsored symposiums.

• Work closely with internal ODOT teams and agency leadership to ensure effective messaging to achieve agency goals.

• Collaborate with external partners, industry associations, and advocacy groups to amplify the organization's effectiveness.

• Manage the Government Affairs, Visual Communications, and Public Relations areas of ODOT in this newly organized Division.

• Provide exceptional customer service to internal ODOT program and project staff.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be experienced in federal and state legislative processes, and federal rule-making procedures related to transportation.

• Have an understanding of public and transportation policy issues and community dynamics.

• Have strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Possess political acumen and demonstrate good judgement.

• Be a motivational team builder and leader; empower direct reports to accomplish goals; delegate while leading and mentoring staff.

• Have the ability to manage and work successfully with personnel and peers in both a physical and remote work environment.

• Have strong time management and decision-making skills; be a self-motivator who is independent, flexible and creative.

• Have the ability to analyze and resolve complex issues, both logical and interpersonal.

• Have the ability to adjust and handle multiple, rapid, changing priorities. Be able to cope with stress related to standard job functions, including but not limited to: meeting deadlines, receiving customer complaints and finding resolutions to the same, interactions with Transportation internal and external clients, multi-tasking and ability to handle high volume of work assignments, and all other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Education and Experience required at this level consists of a master's degree and two years of professional experience; OR a bachelor's degree and three years of professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of professional level experience for each year of the required education.

Degrees in Public Administration, Communications, or transportation-related fields are preferred.

Preferences:

• Proven experience in federal authorization and appropriations processes.

• Strong understanding of public and transportation policy issues, legislative processes, and community dynamics.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (both written and verbal).

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to lead teams of professional staff, measure performance, implement initiatives and manage change.

• Knowledge of ODOT programs and processes.

• Knowledge of process improvement and change management.

This position is designated as exempted service. Civil Service and Human Capital Modernization Rule 260: 130-1-2 defines an exempted employee as an employee who does not have complaint rights with the Civil Service Division on disciplinary actions and is not more than five percent (5%) of an agency's employees designated as executive management as determined by the agency Director.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions through their Workday account. Go to Careers app on WD home screen>Click on 'Find Jobs-Internal State of Oklahoma'.