Metropolitan Transportation Authority

M·etro

One Gateway PlazaLos Angeles, CA 90012-2952

213.922.2000 Telmetro. net

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT AND AUDIT COMMITTEEJANUARY 21, 2010

SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO UPGRADEAND FILL POSITION

ACTION: APPROVE UPGRADE OF DEPUTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER,FEDERAL ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONSPOSITION TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT ANDCOMMUNITY RELATIONS AND AUTHORIZE THE CEO TOFILL THE POSITION

RECOMMENDATION

Approve the upgrade of a vacant Deputy Executive Officer (DEO), Federal Advocacyand Government Relations position (pay grade S, $116,875 - $175,302) toExecutive Director, Government and Community Relations (pay grade CC, $190,621- $278,793) and authorize the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to fill the position withinthe Board approved pay range.

ISSUES

Board approval is required for salaries that exceed $175,000.

RATIONALE

The Deputy Executive Officer, Federal Advocacy and Government Relations positionwas vacated on July 2, 2009. This position was responsible for managing ouradvocacy programs at the federal, state and local government levels. To betterintegrate our government and community relations activities, both units will nowreport to a single senior executive position that will report directly to the CEO. Thisnew position will have a critical role in developing a unified program to buildcoalitions among elected officials, local communities and regional stakeholders tosupport our efforts to advance Measure R programs and other infrastructureprojects.

It is intended that this position will exercise much greater responsibility than was thecase in the past. The objective of these changes is to enable the Authority to buildlocal and regional consensus and alignment to more strongly and effectivelyadvocate for MTA proposals in Sacramento and Washington D.C.

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The need for strengthening our efforts locally, in Sacramento and in WashingtonD.C. is to enable the MTA to build an aggressive funding program to match MeasureR monies and, by extension, to comply with and accomplish the project schedulesand programs contained in Measure R and the Long Range Transportation Plan.

Human Resources staff completed an analysis of the expanded scope ofresponsibilities and considered the critical role the position will play in obtainingprogram funding, its role in pursuing legislative and regulatory changes that will helpadvance our programs, and the higher visibility of the position. Based on thisanalysis, staff recommends the new upgraded classification. The job specificationattached reflects the increased responsibilities and expanded scope of the position,as well as the expertise required to develop and successfully execute our advocacyprograms.

It is noted that the proposed salary level compares favorably to what is provided bytransportation agencies in other high-cost metropolitan areas, specifically in NewYork, San Francisco and Orange County, and by Amtrak.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

Funds for the position are included in the FY10 budget in cost center 7130, project100002, Government and Oversight Activities, task 01. The difference between thebudgeted salary and the new salary will be absorbed in the cost center's FY10budget.

It will be the cost center manager's responsibility to budget for this salary in futureyears.

ATTACHMENT

Position Description for Executive Director, Government and Community Relations

Prepared by: Don Ott, Executive Officer, Administration

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Arthur T. LeahyChief Executive Officer

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ATTACHMENT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Basic FunctionManage the Authority's federal, state, local government and external relations, federalgrants staff and advocacy teams.

Under direction of the Chief Executive Officer, works closely with Board members,elected officials, business, labor and community leaders, environmental advocacygroups and others to develop consensus and support for MTA initiatives.

DutiesA. Directs development of coalition building with Los Angeles County cities, Councils of

Government, SCAG, AQMD, other transportation commissions and others asappropriate to develop consensus and alignment for coordinated and consistentadvocacy messages to Washington and Sacramento.1. Directs staff and consultants in the development of an aggressive and creative

legislative platform and ensures that this platform is effectively advanced.2. Directs staff in the development of an effective approach to impact the

development of the APTA legislative agenda, including reauthorization andAmerican Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds. Works with executiveleadership of New York MTA, Chicago Transit Authority, San Francisco MunicipalTransportation, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District and others todevelop consensus and support.

3. Directs and coordinates advocacy efforts which identify key legislative andadministration leaders and maximizes the effective involvement of Boardmembers and other elected officials from Southern California.

B. Directs staff in the development of an aggressive and creative grantsresearch, application and advocacy effort, ensuring a high level ofcoordination with other MTA departments and initiatives.4. Serves as chief liaison between Metro and members of the United States

Congress and other federal, state, regional and local government officials toinform them of and support legislation and policies benefiting transportationservices and projects.

5. Directs the development and implementation of the overall plans and strategiesfor community outreach and mitigation programs in support of Metro's projectsand in response to community needs.

C. Advises the CEO and Board members on federal, state and local legislative andcommunity matters.6. Makes recommendations to management and the Board of Directors on

proposed, pending or new legislation and legal decisions that may impact Metro'sservices or programs.

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7. Monitors developments related to governmental and public affairs; evaluatesimpact to Metro and recommends and implements policy and proceduralimprovements.

8. Reviews and analyzes proposed local government ordinances and developmentplans to determine their effect on the agency; develops strategies and makesrecommendations for Metro's response.

9. Reviews literature, legal decisions, and proposed/enacted legislation todetermine impact on Metro and makes recommendations to executive staff andthe Board for action.

10. Prepares or directs the preparation of news releases and informationalpamphlets; assists with news conferences in order to affirm Metro's views and toinform the public of features of proposed legislation considered desirable orundesirable.

D. Manages departments11. Evaluates Departments' goals, programs, performance, staffing, and budget.12. Represents the department with Metro executive staff and other

interdepartmental task forces and committees.13. Supervises subordinate staff and develops training programs.14. Develops and delivers quality projects from inception to close-out on time and

within scope and budget. Manages special projects as assigned.15. Complies with Metro's efficient and effective bill paying standard to ensure

project and cost center invoices are paid in a timely manner.16. Communicates Metro's safety vision and goals; oversees the implementation of

agency and departmental safety rules, policies, and procedures, and maintainsaccountability for the safety performance of all subordinate employees.

Essential Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:• Theories, principles, and practices of public policy development, public affairs

and community relations.• Theories, principles, and practices of legislative processes and protocol.• Lobbying techniques.• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.• Research theories and techniques.• Organizational and project management theory and techniques.• Group dynamics and organizing techniques.• Organizational structure, functioning and protocol of local governments and

public agencies.• Modern management theory and principles.

Ability to:• Plan, organize, and direct the work of a federal, state, and regional work unit.• Understand, interpret and apply Metro policies, rules, regulations, procedures,

contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements.• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

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• Mediate and negotiate.• Interact professionally with Board of Directors and their respective staffs, Metro

executive staff, various levels of Metro employees, elected officials, outsiderepresentatives and the community.

• Prepare comprehensive correspondence and reports.• Handle highly confidential material.• Analyze complex data, identify problems and recommend solutions.• Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions.• Determine effective strategies to achieve goals.• Manage the organization and coordination of community meetings and councils.• Travel to off-site meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

Potential candidates interested in the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT &COMMUNITY RELATIONS position MUST meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree - Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy orother related field.

• 8 years' senior management-level experience administering legislative affairsprogram, public sector public policy, or public affairs program for a public orgovernmental agency with additional experience in government relations orpublic affairs, OR

• 8 years working as a senior staff member for a federal/state elected official,federal/state legislative committee, or federal/state government or public affairsoffice with additional experience in government relations or public affairs.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a legislative setting with substantialinvolvement and influence with transit and legislative contacts is highly desirable.

• Valid driver license.• Master's degree in related field desirable.

Special Conditions• Frequent travel required.• On 24-hour call.

DisclaimerThis job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties,responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any other job­related instructions as requested by their supervisor.

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