GENERAL SUMMARY:
The incumbent serves as the primary resource and point of contact for state elected officials and their staff and state governmental entities to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and develops relationships with these stakeholders to advance the mission, vision and legislative priorities and objectives of the organization. Works to ensure open and effective communications of DART policies, projects and programs at the state level.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serves as primary resource and point of contact for state elected officials and state governmental entities, reviewing all correspondence, tracking internal legislative positions and coordinating all internal/external briefings, tours and meetings with members of the state legislature and their staff;
2. Prepares written and oral analysis of proposed state legislation, administrative rules and state policies that could impact DART and research and prepare legislative histories to determine legislative intent of statutory language affecting DART and to assist in developing internal/external policies;
3. Develops and implements DARTs state legislative agenda as approved by the executive team and DART Board of Directors;
4. Manages the legislative monitoring and tracking system for DART and coordinates through proprietary software to assist in the review and analysis of legislation filed in the Texas Legislature for potential impacts to DARTs business operations and capital program;
5. Manages and directs work orders for DARTs outside state legislative counsel team in Austin, Texas, and performs contract administrator duties for the legal services agreement;
6. Remains abreast of latest issues, developments and trends in state legislative issues potentially impacting DART and transit by reading online newsletters, watching webinars, attending transportation and legislative conferences/summits and integrating knowledge gained into current work practices;
7. Prepares testimony for legislative committee hearings for executives and board members and prepare presentations, reports and other informational materials for briefings and tours with members of the state legislature and their staff and for meetings with transit advocacy organizations and other stakeholder groups;
8. Assists in the coordination of DARTs statutorily-required quadrennial state performance audit and distributes copies of the audit report to state and local elected officials and to the Texas State Auditor;
9. Manages the day-to-day operations of the state relations section, including administrative duties, budget responsibilities, human capital training course requirements, goals and business planning and responding to internal audits on credit card use and DART operating procedures;
10. Supports DARTs mission, vision and values and provides five star internal/external customer service with courtesy, dignity, respect and professionalism; and
11. Performs other related job duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Note: An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be substituted for the below stated minimums excluding High School Diploma, GED, Licenses, or Certifications.

1. Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
2. Six (6) years of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience to include three (3) years managing a professional staff.
3. Valid Texas Drivers License (DL), no Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) conviction within the last sixty (60) consecutive months, not more than one (1) DWI on driving record, and not more than three (3) convictions of moving violations within the last thirty-six (36) consecutive months.
4. Pass a physical (medical) examination that includes a drug screen in order to operate DART non-revenue vehicles.
5. Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
6. Rotating shift, weekend, holiday, and overtime schedules.
7. Employees name must not appear on the Health and Human Services exclusion list.
8. Knowledge of budget development/analysis, and operational cost factors.
9. Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
10. Proficiency on PC and knowledgeable of software applications, including proficiency in Trapeze, Lawson, Ripplestone, Tableau, Microsoft Office applications of Word and Excel or other related software applications.
11. Analytical and creative skills to find solutions to complex interpersonal, technical and administrative problems.
12. Ability to be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
13. Ability to blend people into teams when needed. Creates strong morale and spirit in his/her team. Fosters open dialogue. Defines success in terms of the whole team. Creates a feeling of belonging in the team.
14. Ability to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that have the desired effect.
15. Ability to marshal resources to get things done; uses resources effectively and efficiently; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal.
16. Ability to use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; can see hidden problems.
17. Ability to quickly develop technical understanding; is good at learning new industry, company or technical knowledge.
18. Ability to accurately scope out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Sets objectives and goals. Breaks down work into the process steps. Develops schedules and task/people assignments. Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks. Measures performance against goals. Evaluates results.
19. Ability to read a situation quickly. Good at focused listening. Can effectively negotiate difficult agreements and settle disputes equitably. Can find common ground and get cooperation with minimum noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Works in an environment where there is minimum exposure to dust, noise, or temperature. May be moderately exposed to unpleasant working conditions to include dust, noise, temperature, weather, petroleum products, and chemicals while visiting DART's operating facilities, assuming incumbent is observing all policies and procedures, safety precautions and regulations, and using all protective clothing and devices provided.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may perform other duties as assigned.

DART is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity in the workplace. M/F/D/V