Community Relations Specialist, Principal/Community Relations Specialist, Senior

Why OCTA:

Discover work that moves you in a dynamic and innovative setting. Be part of a team delivering Orange County’s transportation network of today and creating a vision for the future.

OCTA is the county’s transportation planning commission and public transit operator. With a focus on safety and accountability, we plan, fund, and implement countywide projects that include bus and rail transit, freeways and express lanes, rideshare, microtransit, paratransit, active transportation, and environmental programs.

We’re passionate about creating a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. 

Our employees rated OCTA as a top workplace in Orange County. Come join us on our mission of keeping Orange County moving.

Overview:

Under general direction of Capital Projects Outreach Section Manager, conceptualizes, designs, and implements proactive public awareness, community outreach and inter-governmental programs to ensure the public is informed about major agency projects, policies, and services. Provides strategic insight on local agency and community concerns related to capital projects in all phases of project development and planning studies. Supervises and mentors junior staff.

Community Relations Specialist, Principal - This is an exempt position in Salary Grade 195: Min $86,328.00 - Mid $103,593.00 - Max $120,859.00 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

Community Relations Specialist, Senior - This is an exempt position in Salary Grade 185: Min $78,302.00 - Mid $93,962.00 - Max $109,622.00 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

The application deadline for this position is Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Responsibilities

This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to this job.

Displays High Integrity & Honesty: Takes personal responsibility, acts with honesty and consistency.

Has Technical and Professional Expertise: Has the technical skills, product knowledge and professional skills to do the job.  

• Leads staff and consultant teams in the development, implementation and evaluation of public awareness and public participation programs during all phases of capital improvement project development and planning studies.
• Supervises and serves as subject material expert to designated junior staff, manages project staffing, and carries out performance planning and/or evaluations.
• Leads the design, organization and implementation of public forums, workshops, conferences, and special events.
• Anticipates and mitigates project impacts and elevates project issues as appropriate.
• Prepares communication plans and consultant scopes of work.
• Develops budgets, administers contracts and ensures the contract requirements are being met; reviews and processes invoices and tracks contract burn rate.
• Prepares various fact sheets, and staff and internal reports.

Communicates Powerfully & Prolifically: Shares insights on issues/problems, clarifies purpose and links that purpose to actions.

• Makes presentations on issues and activities in transportation to senior executives and policy makers.
• Manages constituent correspondence and follows up with technical staff to formulate appropriate solutions/responses.
• Communicates with Orange County employers regarding specific corridor construction projects to mitigate traffic impact on employees by promoting and providing alternative travel mode options.

Customer & External Focus: Markets his/her workgroup effectively and influences others in the organization.

• Develops and coordinates dissemination of information on transportation activities and issues to support community outreach and public participation programs, including collateral development, and use of social media and other tools.

Works in a Collaborative Manner with Others: Works in a collaborative manner with others, helps resolve unproductive conflict.

• Establishes and maintains working relationships with residents, businesses, civic groups, city staff, elected officials and diverse stakeholders to ensure they are informed on major projects.
• Coordinates with agency's Government Relations, Marketing, Operations, Planning, Transportation Systems Development and Customer Relations departments in developing and implementing public information programs.
• Works with local governmental agencies and Caltrans to ensure that the agency's message is included in transportation awareness campaigns.
• Supports and/or advises agency’s Strategic Communications and Media Relations departments in the development of press releases, speaking points and media inquiries.

Qualifications

Community Relations Specialist, Principal - Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree and a minimum of seven years of experience in public participation programs or equivalent, three of which are at the senior level in Community Relations.  Knowledge of Orange County interest groups and community and business organizations is desirable.

Community Relations Specialist, Senior - Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in public relations, communication, or related field with a minimum of five years of professional experience in public participation, marketing, government relations and/or community relations programs, three years of which are at the journey level. Knowledge of Orange County demographics and transportation issues is desirable.

Working Conditions/Physical Activities:

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

Positions in this class typically require:

• Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment.
• Ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively.
• Reaching, Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, and Repetitive Motions in computer use.

Compensation and Benefits:

OCTA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision health insurance programs, flex time (may be available), paid sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement, deferred compensation plan, educational reimbursement, excellent in-house training programs, free transportation passes for the employee and dependents, wellness and ergonomic programs, and much more. OCTA has a hybrid remote work program. Eligibility is dependent on manager’s approval.

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.