Bargaining Unit: At Will
Salary Code: Band C
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Exempt
Effective Date: August 16, 2026
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the general direction of the General Manager, the Deputy General Manager – Government & Public Affairs plans, directs, and coordinates the District’s government affairs and legislative advocacy at the local, state and federal level, public affairs, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and external relations programs.
The Deputy General Manager – Government & Public Affairs shapes and advances the District’s legislative, regulatory, and public policy objectives through coordinated advocacy, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management activities. The position develops and implements integrated strategies that support the District’s mission, water supply objectives, infrastructure investments, and strategic priorities while strengthening the District’s relationships and credibility with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
The position serves as a principal advisor to executive leadership on government relations, public affairs, communications strategy, legislative and regulatory developments, and emerging public policy issues affecting the District. The Deputy General Manager – Government & Public Affairs represents the District before local, state, and federal agencies, elected officials, industry organizations, stakeholder groups, and the media, and is responsible for ensuring that the District’s external affairs activities are aligned with Board-approved priorities and organizational objectives. This is an at-will executive management position serving at the discretion of the General Manager.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:
The information below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.
Government Affairs and Legislative Advocacy
- Develops and implements federal, state, and local legislative strategies supporting District priorities and objectives.
- Monitors legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments affecting the District and advises executive leadership regarding potential impacts.
- Develops legislative proposals, policy positions, and advocacy strategies to advance District interests.
- Coordinates and manages relationships with legislators, legislative staff, agency officials, and governmental organizations.
- Oversees the District’s legislative advocacy activities, including coordination with lobbyists, consultants, coalition partners, and trade associations.
- Represents the District before legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, governmental organizations, and policy forum
- Prepares policy analyses, issue briefs, testimony, presentations, and advocacy materials for the General Manager, executive leadership, and Board of Directors.
Public Affairs and Strategic Communications - Directs and enhances the District’s public affairs, communications, and external engagement strategies that support organizational goals and strategic initiatives.
- Oversees media relations, public information programs, community outreach efforts, website content, digital communications, publications, and stakeholder communications.
- Develops and implements messaging frameworks and communication strategies aligned with District priorities and Board direction.
- Oversees development of communication materials including reports, presentations, fact sheets, newsletters, speeches, and educational content.
- Manages reputational risk and coordinates communications strategies related to significant District initiatives and issues.
- Establishes performance measures and evaluates the effectiveness of public affairs and communications activities.
Stakeholder Engagement and External Relations - Develops and maintains productive working relationships with growers, water users, public agencies, regulatory agencies, industry associations, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinates outreach efforts that strengthen stakeholder understanding of District operations, infrastructure investments, and water management priorities.
- Organizes and facilitates tours, site visits, educational events, meetings, and briefings for legislators, regulatory officials, stakeholders, industry partners, media representatives, and visitors.
- Represents the District at conferences, meetings, workshops, and public events.
- Builds strategic partnerships that support the District’s legislative, regulatory, and public affairs objectives.
- Coordinates stakeholder engagement activities designed to advance District priorities and foster public understanding of key issues.
Branding and Public Information - Directs development and implementation of the District’s branding and public information strategies.
- Oversees development of educational and informational materials that communicate the District’s mission, values, objectives, and accomplishments.
External Consultants and Advocacy Management - Oversees and manages external consultants, including government affairs firms, communications consultants, legal advisors, public affairs specialists, and technical experts.
- Develops contract scopes of work, performance objectives, budgets, and accountability measures for external consultants.
- Coordinates integrated advocacy, communications, and stakeholder engagement efforts involving internal staff and outside professionals
- Evaluates consultant performance and ensures alignment with Board-approved priorities and executive leadership direction.
- Provides oversight of advocacy campaigns and strategic initiatives involving multiple external partners.
Leadership and Administration - Provides leadership, supervision, direction, and performance management for assigned professional, technical, and administrative staff.
- Establishes goals, priorities, performance expectations, and professional development plans for assigned personnel.
- Develops and administers division budgets and ensures effective utilization of resources.
- Prepares reports, recommendations, and presentations for executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Participates as a member of the District’s management team in support of organizational goals and strategic priorities.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience: Any combination of equivalent education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Communications, Business Administration, Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Economics, Engineering, or a related field and Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, legislative advocacy, public affairs, communications, public policy, water resources, public agency administration, or a closely related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
A Master’s degree in a related field is desirable.
Experience working with elected officials, governmental agencies, trade associations, consultants, stakeholders, and public policy organizations is highly desirable.
Experience in California water policy, agriculture, natural resources, public utilities, or public agency administration is highly desirable.
Experience managing external consultants, advocacy firms, communications professionals, and government affairs contractors is preferred.
Knowledge of:
- Federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory processes.
- Government relations, legislative advocacy, and public affairs practices.
- Strategic communications, media relations, public information, and stakeholder engagement techniques.
- Water policy, water resources management, and issues affecting California agriculture and water agencies
- Public administration and governmental decision-making processes, and public agency operations.
- Principles and practices of management, supervision, strategic planning, project management, and budget administration.
- Communication and branding strategies.
- Modern office technology and software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, database systems, and presentation software.
- Techniques for effectively representing the District before governmental agencies, industry organizations, stakeholders, media representatives, and the public.
Ability to:
- Develop and implement effective legislative, regulatory, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, agency representatives, stakeholders, and industry leaders.
- Analyze complex policy, regulatory, legislative, and organizational issues and develop strategic recommendations.
- Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. Represent the District effectively before a variety of audiences.
- Prepare detailed reports, presentations, correspondence, policy analyses, and briefing materials.
- Understand and interpret complex laws, regulations, policies, and legislative proposals affecting water agencies. Manage multiple priorities, projects, budgets, and consultant relationships simultaneously.
- Lead and supervise professional staff and consultants.
- Exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and political acumen.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with executive leadership, the Board of Directors, employees, stakeholders, governmental agencies, and external partners.
- Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity when handling sensitive information.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Possess the physical characteristics necessary to perform the critical and important duties of the position.
- Work hours beyond the normal schedule, including attendance at evening and weekend meetings and events.
- Frequent travel throughout the District service area, the Central Valley, and California, with occasional out-of-state travel.
- Occasional travel by automobile and airplane.
STANDARD REQUIREMENTS
- Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.
- Must maintain the ability to travel for meetings, conferences, legislative activities, and District business as required.