Government Relations Chief*

Government Relations Chief* Salary: $114,712.00 - $163,862.40 Annually Location: San Bernardino, CA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 26-01068CAO-01 Department: County Administrative Office Opening Date: 03/07/2026 Closing Date: Continuous

Description To receive priority consideration, apply by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27th, 2026.

San Bernardino County seeks a passionate, dynamic, and high performing Government Relations Chief* who under general direction of the Deputy Executive Officer (DEO) in the County Office of Governmental & Legislative Affairs (GLA) provides senior-level professional, strategic, and operational leadership to support and advance the Countys government relations and external affairs priorities.

The position independently manages high-impact projects; may represent the County with elected officials, legislative offices, agencies, and community partners; conducts advanced research and analysis; and supports the Countys intergovernmental advocacy strategy.

The Chief reports directly to the Director of Legislative Affairs and serves as a trusted advisor to the DEO.

*Official title: Administrative Analyst III. For more detailed information regarding job duties, refer to the Administrative Analyst III job description.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS To review job-specific Exempt C level benefits, refer to: Summary of Benefits for Exempt Group Compensation Plan for Exempt Group. The County also offers an alternative Modified Benefits Option (MBO) that provides a wage differential.

Essential Duties Essential duties may include but are not limited to:

• Assist the DEO in developing and implementing comprehensive external engagement and government affairs strategy, including stakeholder mapping, political landscape analysis, and alignment with the Countys policy goals.
• Lead or participate in complex political and administrative analyses and make recommendations on issues affecting County operations and strategic priorities.
• Coordinate with the Director of Legislative Affairs to ensure alignment across the Government Relations and Legislative Affairs divisions, supporting unified messaging and collaborative execution of shared responsibilities.
• Represent the County to federal, state, regional, and local elected officials, legislative offices, agencies, associations, and stakeholder groups, exercising discretion, professionalism, and advanced political judgment.
• Serve as a key point of contact for non-legislation-specific inquiries from legislative offices, agencies, and stakeholders; triage and route casework and one-off requests to appropriate County departments, ensuring accurate and timely responses.
• Collaborate with the DEO, Director of Legislative Affairs, and County departments on advocacy campaigns supporting Board priorities.
• Assist in managing communications with elected officials, legislative offices, and Board offices during emergencies to maintain consistent, accurate, and timely information flow.
• Lead major projects and initiatives assigned by the DEO, including multi-agency partnerships, regional initiatives, and strategic planning efforts.

Conditions of Employment

• Travel: Travel throughout the County is required. Employees will be required to make provisions for transportation and may be required to use personal vehicles (mileage reimbursement is available). At the time of hire, a valid California Class C driver license and proof of automobile liability insurance must be produced for the individual providing the transportation.
• Background: Candidates selected for this position must pass a background investigation and medical examination including drug screening.
• Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelors degree in Public/Business Administration, Behavioral/Social Science, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, or other relevant field.
• Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, legislative affairs, intergovernmental relations, or public policy, preferably within a public agency, with the responsibilities of conducting complex research, managing projects, and specialized analysis of programs, legislation, and/or policies that impact government, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholder agencies.

Desired Qualifications

• A Masters degree (MPA, MPP) or Juris Doctor is desirable.

Key Attributes Key attributes of the ideal candidate include knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local legislative and governmental processes.
• Intergovernmental relations, political dynamics, and public sector operations.
• County government structure, functions, and administrative procedures.
• Principles of policy analysis, strategic communication, and stakeholder engagement.
• Communicating effectively through polished writing, presentations, and briefings.
• Researching complex issues and prepare clear, actionable recommendations.
• Adapting quickly to changing political and operational environments.

Selection Process There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire. It is to your advantage to be explicit in your responses on the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit the application before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records.

Please note, if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application we have not received your application. All communications regarding the remainder of the selection process will be via email. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.

Additional Information and Resources If you need technical assistance, follow this link to review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627.

Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form (Download PDF) within one week of the recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans Preference Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans Preference Policy.

For more important details, review the Applicant Information and County Employment Process.

Exempt Unit-Group CSan Bernardino County offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of other voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked. Please review the appropriate Summary of Benefits* for more information.

Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the Countys Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the Employee Benefits website for more detailed information. *Retirement benefits subject to change.

Supplemental Information The supplemental information requested below, in conjunction with your application, will be used to evaluate your qualifications. It is to your advantage to provide complete, organized and detailed responses to each question. (Do not refer to a resume or other documentation.) Each response must include the name(s) of your employer(s) and dates of employment where you performed the functions, and the percentage of time performing them. Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed in the work experience section of your application.

I have read and understand the above instructions.

02. Indicate your highest level of education:

• Masters degree or higher in Public/Business Administration, Behavioral/Social Science, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, or other relevant field
• Bachelors degree in Public/Business Administration, Behavioral/Social Science, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, or other relevant field
• Bachelors degree or higher in another field not listed above
• Associates degree
• Some College
• Technical or Certificate Program
• Highs School Diploma or GED
• None of the above

03. Describe your experience developing and implementing government relations strategies on behalf of a public agency, organization, or elected body. Include your role in representing the organization before legislative, executive, or regulatory entities and summarize the outcomes achieved. NOTE: For each experience please indicate the following information: a) Name and address of Employer b) Position/Title held c) Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY), Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY) (when you performed these duties) d) Hours Worked per Week. If you do not have such experience, indicate "No Experience."

04. Describe your work experience supporting elected officials at the local, state, and federal level. NOTE: For each experience please indicate the following information: a) Name and address of Employer b) Position/Title held c) Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY), Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY) (when you performed these duties) d) Hours Worked per Week. If you do not have such experience, indicate "No Experience."

05. Describe complex, sensitive, or high-profile government relations issues you have navigated. Include the political or organizational context, your specific role, the stakeholders involved, and the strategies you used to manage relationships and advance your organizations priorities. NOTE: For each experience please indicate the following information: a) Name and address of Employer; b) Position/Title held; c) Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY), Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY) (when you performed these duties); d) Hours Worked per Week. If you do not have such experience, Indicate "No Experience."

06. Writing Sample: This position requires an extremely high level of written communication skills. Applicants must demonstrate a strong ability to be clear, efficient, and direct in their writing. Please upload two writing samples, preferably a thorough legislative analysis and a formal letter to an agency or elected official. Please indicate the types of documents you have uploaded:

• Legislative Analysis
• Formal letter to an agency or elected official
• Other

07. Applicant Acknowledgement - Notification via email: As part of our efforts to increase efficiency and promote conservation of resources, human resources uses email to communicate with applicants. Therefore, all future communications regarding this recruitment, including applicant status and testing notifications, will be made via email. Each applicant needs their own email address. We strongly encourage you, as an applicant, to ensure that the email address you have provided us with your application is current, secure, confidential, and readily accessible to you. Adjust Spam and/or other filters so that our emails are accepted. Please carefully read any notices that we send you and follow any instructions provided in a timely manner. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails (i.e., for the non-delivery of our emails or if you fail to check your e-mail on a timely basis).

I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to the above.

08. ATTENTION GMAIL USERS** We have become aware of an increase in Gmails spam filter sensitivity. Due to this change, it is possible that emails coming from San Bernardino County Human Resources may be marked as spam and will not make it into your Gmail inbox. For your convenience, the attached PDF document contains a step-by-step guide to create and apply filters within Gmail. To access the guide, download the Gmail Filter Setup Instructions (PDF). Once downloaded, follow the instructions so that you will receive future emails from San Bernardino County Human Resources.

Note: If you apply the filters and still do not receive emails from San Bernardino County Human Resources you can check your www.governmentjobs.com (Neogov) account inbox. All notifications will appear there.

I understand.

09. Applicant Acknowledgement - Application Complete: Thank you for taking the time to complete this application and supplemental questionnaire. Please be sure to review all information provided prior to submitting it as you cannot update or revise it once submitted. Your submitted application will be reviewed and evaluated as is. Please do not refer to a resume or other documentation in lieu of completing the employment history section or responding to the supplemental questions; they will not be reviewed or considered.

Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email confirmation will be sent to the email address listed on your application. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records.

Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.

I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and understand that I will not be able to update or revise any part of it once submitted.

Required QuestionEmployer: San Bernardino County Address: 175 West Fifth Street, 1st Floor, San Bernardino, California, 92415-0440 Phone: (909) 387-8304 TTY Users: 711 Website:http://www.sbcounty.gov/jobs