STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OFFICER (COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER)

Job Description:

STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OFFICER (COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER)

Description

DESCRIPTION

THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING A STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OFFICER

(COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER)

(This is an at-will position)

Salary Range: $104,979.11 - $ 142,858.67

ABOUT US:

The Port of Long Beach, one of the world's busiest seaports, is an international gateway for the reliable, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship. Credited with moving approximately $300 billion in trade, the Port serves as a critical hub for international commerce and is a major transportation center. East Asian trade accounts for the bulk of Long Beach shipments. Port-related international trade has a wide-ranging economic impact, supporting millions of jobs that benefit the region and the country.

THE TEAM:

The Government Relations Division leads the charge in building powerful connections between the Port of Long Beach and key decision-makers, whether elected officials, legislative staff, agency leaders, or appointed officials at the local, state, and federal levels. The Division also oversees the Port’s education and workforce development programming to connect students and workers with a number of training and job opportunities in the supply chain. With a sharp focus on shaping the future, the Government Relations Division goes beyond just outreach, offering expert legislative analysis and advocacy to push the Port's initiatives forward. Their mission? To champion the Port's vital programs and secure the funding needed to keep it thriving and ahead of the curve!

THE ROLE:

Reporting directly to the Manger of Government Relations, the Government Relations Officer plays a vital and dynamic role in shaping the Port of Long Beach’s legislative and intergovernmental strategy. This position will manage the state portfolio and offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of key advocacy efforts, working closely with senior leadership to influence policy, build strategic alliances, and represent one of the busiest and most innovative ports in the world.

CANDIDATE CONNECT (INFORMATION SESSION):

To learn more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join our virtual information session on Wednesday, October 29 @ 5:00 pm PDT via MS Teams. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with hiring leaders, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice! Candidates are not required to be on camera.

To join the audio-only meeting, call +1 323-451-1087. Phone Conference ID: 912 463 252# .

Click here to join the meeting.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

HOW YOU GET TO CONTRIBUTE:

• Managing the day-to-day advocacy efforts for the Port of Long Beach as it relates to needs with the state government.
• Assist in establishing and implementing short- and long-range goals, objectives, policy recommendations, and well-thought-out strategies.
• Track and assist staff in tracking state legislation, regulatory policies, local ordinances, policy trends, budgetary matters, grant opportunities, and news stories impacting Port operations and the maritime industry. Maintains updated and accurate tracking logs and provides timely and accurate summary updates of these matters.
• Provide timely research, background information, bill analyses, technical assistance, and recommendations regarding various legislative and policy matters to the Director of Government Relations, the Managing Director of Strategic Advocacy, and executive management.
• Draft and assist staff in drafting state legislative correspondence, policy briefs, summaries, talking points, fact sheets, and other legislative collateral materials on a wide variety of Port-related issues. The position will interact with other staff to assist on other advocacy priorities at the local, federal and international levels as needed.
• Review and analyze the annual state budget process and help to advocate for funding to support Port projects and operations.
• Perform strategic analyses, develop legislative strategies, and make recommendations for influencing and promoting the Port’s interests that impact short- and long-term goals, and participate in strategic planning meetings.
• Coordinate with and advise state and federal advocates regarding the Port’s legislative priorities.
• Coordinate directly with the Manager of Government Relations, Division staff, and the Port’s advocates on legislative and policy matters, special events, and project needs.
• Help to maintain communications between the Port and contracted advocates, apprises and educates these entities regarding Port projects, programs, and funding priorities, as well as assigns tasks to advocates as appropriate.
• Maintain communications with Port leadership, legislative offices, and relevant agencies.
• Conduct effective outreach to develop and maintain relationships with key legislators, legislative staff, and agency leaders to educate them and to advocate on behalf of the Port’s project and funding priorities.
• Interact with federal, state, and local elected officials, legislative staff, and agency representatives.
• Maintain positive relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, agency leaders, Port/City staff, and stakeholder organizations.
• Keep the Division Director, Managing Director of Strategic Advocacy, executive management, and the Board of Harbor Commissioners staff informed in a timely fashion of important legislative, policy, grant, and budgetary matters.
• Provide prompt and accurate responses to legislative inquiries or requests, as well as to inquiries from legislative offices, regulatory agencies, business/community organizations, and the general public on a wide range of matters.
• Work with the Port’s advocates and internal staff to monitor, pursue, and procure grant opportunities. Works with the Harbor Grants Manager, who tracks the grant application process, to ensure that projects put forth for grants are in alignment with the Port’s state and federal priorities.
• Assist in securing letters from legislative offices and industry partners for Port grant applications and projects in general.
• Participate in Port task forces/committees and relevant legislative, community, and business association meetings as needed. Reports task force or meeting actions back to the appropriate staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, or a closely related field is required.
• A minimum of three years of professional experience in policy development, legislative research, and advocacy or intergovernmental relations is required.
• Experience working with state elected officials, legislative staff, and advocates is required.
• Knowledge of the state and local, legislative, budgetary, and grant processes is required.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays, along with extended hours

TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED:

• Must have a broad working knowledge of the principles and methods of legislative analysis, public policy, and effective advocacy.
• Must know about public agency programs, policies, and operations, and related legislative, intergovernmental affairs, community relations, and public affairs issues and challenges.
• Must know state and local legal requirements and guidelines governing the conduct of public meetings.
• Must know the state legislative processes and ability to analyze, interpret, and explain the bill enactment process, as well as public policy, regulatory, budgetary, and community matters.
• Must be able to prepare clear, concise, accurate, complete, and timely analyses, reports, memos, correspondence, records, and other written materials.
• Must be able to effectively read, research, analyze, and extrapolate legislative, policy, grant, and budgetary matters using legislative databases, the internet, and other research tools.
• Requires the ability to make effective oral presentations and draft written material for managers, directors, and the public.

DESIRABLE:

• Master's Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, or a closely related field is desirable.
• At least two years of supervisory experience is preferred.
• Port, federal, City, or supply chain industry experience is desirable.
• Strong leadership background, in a complex, similarly situated organization preferred.
• Second language speaking ability is desirable.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The final filing date for this recruitment is Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume with your application in PDF format . Incomplete applications (without a cover letter and resume) will NOT be considered. The Port reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice in order to accept additional applications.

Individuals most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which will include two (2) rounds of interview assessments to further evaluate candidate qualifications. We will conduct the first round of interviews the week of November 17 (in-person) and we will conduct the final round of interviews the week of December 1 (in-person). Candidates should ensure availability on both dates. The successful candidate will be appointed shortly thereafter. An employment offer is contingent on conducting a comprehensive background check and reference checks.

The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act or https://www.longbeach.gov/hr/about-us/talent-acquisition/the-fair-chance-act/ .

THE BENEFITS:

The Port of Long Beach has established an annual salary range of $104,979.11 - $ 142,858.67 (placement depends on qualifications). An attractive package of benefits is included with the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse and dynamic areas of the United States:

• Retirement - CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with Social Security. Current member contributions are 8.00% for CalPERS and 6.2% for Social Security, paid by the employee.
• Group Health Insurance - Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
• Vacation - Vacation is accrued at the equivalent of two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service. An employee’s vacation accrual may be adjusted upon hire to provide credit for previous full-time employment at a public service agency. Credit for public service shall only be given for completed years of service as a full-time permanent employee. Public Service credit shall not apply to any other benefits.
• Sick Leave - Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement to cash credit toward health and /or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits.
• Paid Parental Leave - After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with the child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17.
• Holidays - 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
• Education Reimbursement - Tuition reimbursement allows employees to obtain additional education or training.
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness - As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• 529 college savings plan - The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union. Funds can be used from your 529 savings plan to send your grandkids, kids, or even yourself to any accredited public or private U.S. college or university - or two-year technical or vocational institution.

The Port of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. www.polb.com

Employee Benefits

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

• Medical and Dental Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Retirement Plan (P.E.R.S.)

• Paid Vacation, Personal Holidays and Sick Leave

• Deferred Compensation

• Credit Union Membership

• Free Bus Transportation (Long Beach Transit)

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Free Employee Parking
• Paid Parental Leave*
*Paid Parental Leave - after six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours/192 hours for sworn platoon) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).

Closing Date/Time: 11/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$104,979.11 - $142,858.67 Annually