Executive Director of Community and Government Relations

Executive Director of Community and Government Relations
San Mateo County Community College District

Posting Number: 20141823S
Department: Chancellor’s Office DIST (DEPT)
Location: District Office
Position Number: 1A0047
Percentage of Full Time: 100%
FLSA: Exempt (does not accrue overtime)
Months per Year: 12
If other, please specify:
Salary Range:
Note:
Min Salary: $202,128 (annual)
Max Salary: $257,448 (annual)
Position Type: Administrative/Supervisory Positions

Who We Are:
The San Mateo County Community College District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, “success, equity, and social justice for our students are longstanding goals.” The District’s “Students First” Strategic Plan is focused on “Student Success, Equity and Social Justice.” We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences – emphasizing collaboration and engaging students in and out of the classroom, encouraging them to realize their goals, and to become global citizens and socially responsible leaders. When you join our San Mateo County Community College District team, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty and classified staff, administration, students and community partners.

The College and the District:
The San Mateo County Community College District is home to Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. All three of our colleges are designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions enrolling approximately 20,000 students each academic year. San Mateo County Community College District has a diverse student population that is a reflection of the communities that it serves. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on the San Mateo County Community College District’s Educational Services & Planning website.

Who We Want:
We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities and orientations. Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. The successful candidate will be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, students and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps. The San Mateo County Community District seeks employees who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals.

The Position:
The Executive Director of Community and Government Relations reports to the Chancellor and will manage public affairs, government, media, and community relations, oversee employee housing, district committee coordination, county-wide strategic initiatives and partnerships, and other duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

1. Responsible for disseminating information about the district to the Board of Trustees, employees, the news media, and the community, and for assuring that a coordinated, comprehensive public information and marketing program is developed and maintained.
2. Coordinates the Directors of Community Relations and Marketing at the three campuses to ensure cohesive messaging across the District.
3. Under the direction of the Chancellor, serves as the official district spokesperson to news media representatives on district issues.
4. Plans and coordinates the preparation of official publications of the district, including community and staff newsletters, board meeting summaries, news releases, fact sheets, and miscellaneous publications.
5. Monitors the status of district-community relationships and reports on the effect that various Board policies, programs, and practices could have on these relationships.
6. Monitors state and federal legislation that is of concern to higher education in general and the San Mateo County Community College District in particular and develops position statements for consideration by the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees. Under the direction of the Chancellor, informs state and federal legislators of the official district position on matters of concern to the district.
7. Prepares monthly status reports on legislative activity; arranges and participates in meetings with local legislators and staff.
8. Negotiates redevelopment agreements with agencies within the County in order to provide fiscal and programmatic benefits for the colleges and the district. Monitors existing agreements and programs jointly undertaken with redevelopment agencies (e.g. affordable housing program for college employees; establishment of satellite centers, etc.). Maintains relationships with cities and redevelopment agencies within the county to ensure that college interests are best served by the local agencies’ policies and practices.
9. Responsible, within the district’s consultation process, for the development of districtwide policies and procedures in response to state and federal law, Board action, and labor contracts. Assures that District Rules and Regulations are comprehensive and current; reviews, on a rotating basis, all chapters of Board Policy, Administrative Procedures, and Rules and Regulations for accuracy and completeness.
10. Coordinates, under the direction of the Chancellor, a number of special projects requiring in-depth analysis in such areas as demographics and planning, public financing, personnel and administrative organization, asset management and surplus property studies, marketing, public relations, etc. Serves as the Chancellor’s representative on selected internal or external committees or councils and at selected community meetings.
11. Performs the following routine tasks for the Chancellor: prepares Board agenda items and reports on a variety of topics; develops strategies for responding to public issues/concerns; handles sensitive correspondence, routine questionnaires, and non-personnel complaints which are directed to the Chancellor’s Office; and arranges districtwide special events and seminars, as needed.
12. Under the direction of the Chancellor, implements, monitors, expedites, and reports on matters relating to the activities and responsibilities of the Office of the Chancellor, including districtwide strategic planning, grant implementation, community relationship building, public speaking events, and statewide initiatives. Assists the Chancellor in engaging in the statewide educational system and in making a statewide impact.
13. At the discretion of Chancellor, serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet or Council and other committees as assigned by the Chancellor.
14. Develops and maintains liaison between the Chancellor and other District Office units and the colleges, as appropriate.
15. Convenes, coordinates, leads, and develops reports and presentations for committees as assigned by the Chancellor, including the bond oversight committee and housing corporation meetings. Ensures membership of committees reflects statutory membership requirements and identifies and recruits members as needed.
16. At the discretion of Chancellor, works with the Vice Chancellor and the District’s accreditation liaison with the colleges for matters associated with the District accreditation standards and coordinates District responses.
17. Supervises Chancellor’s Office support staff as needed.
18. Works on special projects and performs other duties as assigned by the Chancellor.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least three years of full-time managerial experience related to the administrative assignment
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff

Physical Requirements:

Equivalence to Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the philosophy, mission, and goals of the community college
2. Knowledge of district demographics and applicable policies and procedures related to marketing
3. Knowledge of public policy issues as they relate to education
4. Knowledge of state and federal laws, such as Title 5, Education Code, and Government Code, as well as policies, programs, regulations, and services related to higher education
5. Skill in the development and implementation of communications and public relations programs
6. Skill in analyzing data and information from diverse sources to create comprehensive plans and to provide appropriate interpretation of federal, state, and local laws and regulations
7. Skill in the use of computerized information and systems and their use in analysis and reporting
8. Ability to identify problems, develop alternative solutions, make decisions, and achieve consensus on a course of action in a complex and multi-disciplinary environment
9. Skill in respectful and sensitive communication with people who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds; sensitivity to the value in, and issues related to, successfully serving a culturally diverse student population
10. Skill in strategic planning techniques and methodologies, including facilitation of group planning activities
11. Skill in oral communication, including public speaking
12. Skill in written communication
13. Skill in directing, coordinating, and evaluating the work of others
14. Demonstrated skills in working successfully with a team of employees to establish goals, motivate, evaluate, and meet deadlines
15. Ability to provide leadership to and work effectively as part of an educational leadership team

Preferred Qualifications:

Benefits:
Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Classified employees participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California. Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

Open Date: 07/02/2024
First Review Date: 08/06/2024
Close Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes

Special Instructions Summary:
Required Application Materials All applicants are required to submit:

1. A completed online District application form (go to https://jobs.smccd.edu to complete the application and to apply for this position).

2. A resume that details all relevant education, training, and other work experience.

3. A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that addresses the applicant’s cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff as well as the applicant’s qualifications as they relate to the requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in this announcement.

Candidates for interview will be selected from among those who most closely meet the requirements and knowledge, skills and abilities. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. As part of the interview process, candidates may be asked to demonstrate job-related knowledge and skills.

For questions related to this posting, please contact:
SMCCCD Office of Human Resources
3401 CSM Drive
San Mateo, CA 94402
Tel.: (650) 574-6555
Fax: (650) 574-6574
Web Page: www.smccd.edu/hr

Conditions of Employment:
Prior to employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete the following:

1. Submit official transcripts (applies to all faculty or educational administrative positions)

2. Submit verifications of prior employment

3. Satisfactory references

4. Successfully being cleared for employment through the background checking process
In addition to background checks, the District may review publicly available information about a candidate on the Internet. If a candidate is aware of incorrect or inaccurate information that is available on the Internet, the candidate is welcome to address such an issue with the Office of Human Resources.

5. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States

6. Approval of your employment by the SMCCCD Board of Trustees

7. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis exam for initial employment.

8. Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer (Clearance must be received prior to first day of employment). Please note that the California Education Code requires, in part, that community college districts shall not employ or retain in employment persons in public school service who have been convicted of certain felonies, a misdemeanor drug charge (including alcohol offenses) or misdemeanor moral turpitude (sexual offense) crime. However, consideration may be given to those whose drug convictions occurred more than five years ago. A conviction for other crimes may not necessarily disqualify you from the job for which you may be applying.

EEO Statement:
The San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ individuals who represent the rich diversity of cultures, language groups, and abilities of its surrounding communities.

Accommodations:
Applicants who have disabilities may request that special accommodations be made in order to complete the selection process. Accommodation requests and a copy of the Americans with Disabilities Act applicant procedures can be made by completing our: Applicant Reasonable Accommodation Request Form

Annual Security Report:
San Mateo County Community College District’s (SMCCCD) 2022 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. Our 2022 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies, such as those concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The 2022 Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every member of the community remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2022 Annual Security Report is now available. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures and resources.

To apply, visit: https://jobs.smccd.edu/

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