Community and Government Relations Officer

Position Description

Join Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) and Lead Our Community Engagement and Government Relations Efforts!

Are you a strategic leader passionate about building strong community relationships and navigating complex government landscapes? Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is seeking an experienced Community & Government Relations Manager to lead our efforts in fostering trust, driving advocacy, and advancing our mission through impactful engagement with government, Tribal nations, community stakeholders, and educational institutions.

About the Role:

Reporting directly to the Utilities Deputy Director for Customer Experience and External Affairs, you will lead a dynamic, high-performing team of six dedicated to building and strengthening TPU's relationships with key external partners. In this role, you will drive strategic engagement efforts that align with our mission, enhance TPU's presence through impactful community sponsorships and K-12 education programs, and champion advocacy efforts that support and advance our organizational priorities.
The ideal candidate for the Government & Community Relations Officer at TPU is a strategic and results-driven leader with a proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships across diverse stakeholders. They bring a deep expertise in government affairs, community engagement, and public policy, along with a passion for serving the community and customers. Leveraging innovation, they design and execute strategies that elevate TPU’s visibility, strengthen public trust, and advance key organizational objectives. They excel at leading multidisciplinary teams, cultivating a collaborative and high-performing environment.

As a key representative of TPU, you will:

• Lead Strategic Engagement: Build and maintain strategic relationships with government entities (local, state, federal), Tribal nations, community stakeholders, and educational institutions.
• Drive Advocacy & Education: Oversee advocacy, outreach, and education initiatives that foster community trust and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks.
• Shape Policy & Legislation: Lead the development and execution of legislative policies and advocacy strategies, preparing policy documents and managing legislative consultant contracts.
• Champion Community Initiatives: Oversee community engagement initiatives, K-12 education programs, sponsorships, and employee volunteer activities.
• Provide Strategic Leadership: Support the Deputy Director in shaping policy development, setting TPU-wide goals, and driving cross-departmental alignment.
• Represent TPU: Serve as a spokesperson for senior leadership and coordinate TPU’s community and government relations activities with trade groups and community associations.
• Manage a Multidisciplinary Team: Lead and supervise a team of program managers responsible for education programs, community outreach sponsorships, local engagement, and government relations.
• Ensure Compliance: Assist in ensuring compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.
• Manage Budget and HR: Participate in departmental financial and human resource activities, including budget planning, procurement, and employee development.

Responsibilities Include:

• Develop and oversee programs related to government and community relations, aligning with TPU’s mission and objectives.
• Lead and supervise a team of managers responsible for diverse functions, including education programs, community sponsorships, and government relations.
• Align and coordinate education, community, and government relations strategies across TPU.
• Identify and address emerging government and community issues.
• Collaborate with Executive and senior Leadership, the Public Utility Board, and the Tacoma City Council.
• Develop and execute legislative policies and advocacy strategies.
• Engage with legislative bodies, executive agencies, councils, boards, Native American Tribes, and commissions.
• Provide strategic guidance to Executive and senior leadership.
• Oversee community engagement initiatives, K-12 education programs, sponsorships, and employee volunteer activities.
• Develop and refine legislative policies for TPU, ensuring alignment with operating divisions and the broader goals of TPU and the City of Tacoma.
• Participate in departmental financial and human resource activities, including budget planning and employee development.
• Serve as a designated representative for the Deputy Director and management spokesperson.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, public policy, political science, communication or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
7 years including 2 years prior as supervisor or manager

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Driver's License

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Joanna Hambrick; if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn !

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play .

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before 4pm on the closing date of this posting.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 4/21/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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