Job Posting: Public/Legislative Affairs Manager

Department of Transportation

JC-496306
-
Public/Legislative Affairs Manager
INFORMATION OFFICER II

$7,498.00 - $9,317.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/18/2025

Job Description and Duties

Under administrative direction of the Office Chief for External & Legislative Affairs, has responsibility for many aspects of information activities in Caltrans District 5. Supervises the operation of the Public Information Office, represents the district to all news media, and collaborates closely with engagement and project development teams to ensure continuity, transparency, and meaningful outreach to stakeholders and general community. Consults regularly with the district executive team as well as the Headquarters Director's and Communications staff, advising them on media and community relations. Prepares executive staff for editorial boards, news conferences and public events/presentations. Works with graphics team to review and issue district news releases, flyers, and other informational material. Acts as district spokesperson on sensitive issues and is the lead on crisis communications. Coordinates and prioritizes the efforts of the public information office and legislative affairs functions to provide customers with a consistent, timely, and accurate message. Ensures compliance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA) and manages the budget and resources of the unit.

PARF# 05-6-005/ JC- 496306

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Information Officer II exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job. 

https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G

https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI

Apply today to join our team!  We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool!  The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.


You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Position located at 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee will normally work in a climate-controlled office under artificial light with a computer terminal and multiple phone lines. Employee is expected to have an in office presence but may be allowed and/or expected to telework from a home office or other appropriate location on a part time basis. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and will frequently travel to various locations, sometimes requiring overnight stays. Employee will be on call to respond to incidents 24/7. Must have the emotional ability to maintain composure in the face of confrontation and in highly charged emotional situations. Must have the resilience to withstand frequent negative reaction, keep it in the perspective of the job, and maintain a positive attitude.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-496306
Position #(s):
905-001-5595-XXX
Working Title:
Public/Legislative Affairs Manager
Classification:
INFORMATION OFFICER II
$7,498.00 - $9,317.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
San Luis Obispo County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov 

Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity


Special Requirements

  • Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.

  • Statement of Qualification (SOQ) is required.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Each question must be numbered and addressed in the sameorder as the questions below. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12-point Arial font.

1. Provide specific examples that show your ability to initiate, develop, and maintain positive relationships internally with functional units and externally with stakeholders, agencies, interest groups and/or elected officials through good communication skills.

2. Provide examples of your experience in delivering equitable public engagement and how you collaborated with others to promote and perform outreach on a department initiative or program.

3. Describe your familiarity with local and regional highway networks, the varying needs of both urban and rural communities, and how you worked to reach consensus.

4. Provide examples of your experience in working collaboratively with external partners that have competing priorities and how you worked to resolve complex issues.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 11/18/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Transportation
N/A
Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact
Certification Services MS-90
P O Box 168036
Sacramento, CA 95816-8036

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Transportation
Drop-Off Address
Caltrans DHR Contact
Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS
1727 30th Street, MS 90
Sacramento, CA 95816
Closed on weekends and State Holidays
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications -
    • Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

Click HERE  to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact:
Ellaine Cupino
(916) 201-8424
ellaine.cupino@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Asia Gordon
(805) 440-6091
asia.gordon@dot.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Caltrans EEO Office
(844) 368-3367
Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Important Application Instructions:

The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-496306), PARF# 05-6-005 and title of the position (Information Officer II) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

 

Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

 

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

 

NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts.  Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age.  The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position.  Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job