9174 - Manager IV - Public Outreach and Engagement Manager - SF Municipal Transportation Agency, External Communications, Marketing, and Outreach Division

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent Exempt - Full Time - This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

Application Opening: January 8, 2025

Deadline to Apply: 11:59pm Pacific Time on January 24, 2025

Recruitment ID: PEX-9174-153394

Salary: $152,802 - $195,026 annually (Range A)

⚠️IMPORTANT⚠️: 

1. Please complete the supplemental questionnaire here: https://forms.office.com/r/uyKQpvymzw in addition to the instructions in the “I’m interested” online application below.
2. A cover letter and resume must be attached to the online application.

Applicants must complete the supplemental questionnaire AND the online application by the filing deadline. Your application will not be reviewed without a completed supplemental questionnaire AND online application.            

Division:                     External Communications, Marketing and Outreach

Section/Unit:            Public Outreach and Engagement- Major Corridors and Transit Communications

Work Location:         1 South Van Ness, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA

Work Hours:              Monday – Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) connects San Franciscans with their communities to enhance the economy, environment and the quality of life in the city. As an agency within the City and County of San Francisco, the SFMTA is responsible for managing the city’s transportation network. The agency has more than 6,000 employees who are responsible for the management of all ground and some underground transportation in the city. The SFMTA has oversight over public transit, as well as bicycling, paratransit, parking and curb management, street operations, walking, and taxis.

Division Description:

The External Communications, Marketing & Outreach Division is responsible for the management of communications, marketing and outreach with the purpose of engaging and sharing information with agency customers, stakeholders, partners, consultants, the media and the public for the SFMTA. The division handles media and public relations; public outreach and engagement; marketing and creative services, digital communications and social media, public events and customer communications.

The Public Outreach and Engagement Team Strategy (POETS) provides standards, guidance and resources to support the division’s engagement with customers, stakeholders and the public for our array of transportation services, as well as capital improvement plans and projects that affect the communities we serve. Working across the agency, we also facilitate outreach and engagement with a variety of stakeholders including merchant, neighborhood and advocacy groups, businesses, elected and government officials, metropolitan planning organizations, media and other stakeholders, with a goal of soliciting meaningful public participation. We focus on building trusting relationships that better enable the SFMTA to fulfill its mandate as San Francisco's transportation agency.

Position Description:

Under general supervision of the Director of External Communications, Marketing and Outreach, the 9174 Manager IV, Public Outreach and Engagement Manager will be responsible for overseeing and supporting communications and outreach related to the successful completion of infrastructure projects and transit service changes. They will play a key role for Transit Outreach by leading the communications staff that engages in outreach and communicating potential modifications to the entire Muni system with the goals of improving connectivity, reducing crowding and improving the customer experience along both light rail and bus corridors. The 9174 Manager IV, Public Outreach and Engagement Manager sets priorities for the group and has overall responsibility for assisting Transit Planning with the communications related items needed to implement service change projects.

The role includes managing all aspects of disseminating public information and engaging public participation in accordance with the SFMTA’s Public Outreach and Engagement requirements. Work is grounded in principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying and tracking key milestones; and managing mid-level staff that is managing all aspects of a community-based working group; developing presentations for public meetings and board presentations; staffing community meetings; answering public inquiries and sunshine requests; managing internal and external project website content; documenting public activities and follow-ups. The position works in close coordination with other divisions to ensure coordinated and cohesive communications.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

• Manages programs, operational activities, and projects of the SFMTA’s Public Outreach and Engagement Team Strategy; collaborates with other managers and staff to evaluate and implement goals, responsibilities, policies and procedures of the functional area; provides management advice to top-level administrative authority.

• Manages staff to deliver communications and outreach related to service planning change implementations of both small and substantial changes to the Muni system.

• Assist in developing and implementing operational policies to ensure the efficient operation of the Agency.

• Manages several direct reports including managers and public outreach professionals and oversees all areas of job duties including developing work plans, mentoring, and providing work product oversight.

• Oversees the development and distribution of public and staff information materials, including audio-visual materials, program and training materials, reports and brochures.

• Ensures timely dissemination of information to the public, staff and stakeholders to maximize participation and involvement throughout the various stages of projects from inception to completion.

• Reviews technical reports and correspondence to assess public and staff impact and prepares responses to stakeholder inquiries and complaints.

• Develops and maintains an effective communication system designed to solicit community, staff and stakeholder input, attitudes, priorities and needs for the purpose of planning and resolution.

• Coordinate with other units/divisions or city departments for projects requiring collaboration.

• Report to and consult with higher level management relating to outreach initiatives and project implementation.

• Directs the allocation of resources to achieve timely outcomes and measurable goals within budget; adjusts plans and programs to meet emerging or new programs, while continuing to address major Agency priorities.

• Coordinates the delivery of services; develops performance measures; and manages productivity to improve operations and services; participates in the identification, analysis and resolution of problems, issues and conflicts pertaining to the provision of Agency services.

• Manages the development of materials for public and stakeholder meetings and presents to various community and policy making groups.

• Develop presentations and represents the agency before other city officials, including the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors, community groups and leaders, state and federal officials, on matters pertaining to community engagement in projects and programs.

• Provides managerial assistance to committees or groups, including advisory committees and boards set up to guide the direction of various new projects.

• Manages first line managers that oversee staff that prepares, coordinates and conducts community meetings to disseminate information to participants regarding department projects and activities.

• Prepares, coordinates and administers budget for unit/program area; monitors expenditures; provides senior management with practical options and recommendations regarding potential cost over-runs or other budget issues; and participates in other budget related activities.

• Prepares or directs the preparation of reports, memoranda, and correspondence; makes presentations in response to public or other agency inquiries.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; AND
2. Five (5) years of professional-level experience in communications and public outreach and engagement. Professional-level experience consists of interpreting laws and regulations, and exercising independent judgment in the application of defined principles, practices, and regulations; AND
3. Three (3) years of above experience must include supervising professional-level staff performing communications and public outreach and engagement.

Substitution:

Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. One year (2000 hours) will be considered equivalent to thirty (30) semester units/forty-five (45) quarter units.

Nature of Work:

The position may require working weekends and nights on an as-needed basis, driving a motor vehicle, working outdoors in varying weather conditions, standing, walking and/or sitting for prolonged periods of time, occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 15 pounds and the transport of materials and equipment.

Notes:

1. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

2. One (1) year full-time experience is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

•Five (5) years of experience in project and people management experience with leadership skills.

• Experience in complex outreach and stakeholder engagement.

• A strong sense of advocacy for public transportation.

• Five (5) years of experience in advanced writing and public speaking with the ability to adopt the agency’s writing style guide and provide editor-level review.

• Strong public relations skills, including experience in public outreach, community relations, communications and conflict resolution.

• Familiarity with the Muni transit network and with San Francisco’s multimodal transportation network in general.

• Ability to work in a time-sensitive environment and respond quickly and effectively to unanticipated circumstances.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, collaboratively, professionally, and be a team player.

• Experience developing and editing and reviewing content, designing program materials, campaigns and/or presentations for racial, ethnic and other marginalized communities including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern communities.

• Five (5) years of experience in collaborating with other job functions including directors, project managers, engineers, contractors, communications consultants and others.

• Experience in building successful marketing and communications programs to launch a product or an initiative, including social media, print, radio, video and other tactics.

• Five (5) years of experience in collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, community groups, underserved or marginalized communities to facilitate dialogue and consensus through an open and inclusive public involvement process.

• Five (5) years of experience in distilling highly technical information into simple concepts for non-technical community members.

• Experience with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and Adobe Creative Suite and Salesforce

• Strong ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with multiple demands and priorities.

• Possesses a valid driver’s license.

Verification:

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification. Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Selection Process:

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience.  Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidates' qualifications.  Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to move forward in the selection process.

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

This recruitment may be utilized to fill similar positions in this classification at SFMTA.

For questions or inquiries, please contact the analyst, Melissa Lee at [email protected].

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.