DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS-SFPUC-(0933)-(166723)

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A

Application Open: September 11, 2026

Application Deadline: September 25, 2026

Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through September 25, 2026, and will close any time thereafter.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.

Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.sfpuc.gov

We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality. 

To learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit our career site at https://www.sfpuc.gov/about-us/careers-sfpuc

Working Relationships

The Director of Government Affairs works directly with the General Manger and Deputy General Manager, and coordinates with the SFPUC's Assistant General Managers to develop and refine the agency's strategies, planning processes, and implementation methods for maximizing positive government, constituent and stakeholder relations. This Director keeps the General Manager and Deputy General Manager abreast on all high-priority matters.

Additionally, the Director will manage direct reports, lead internal collaboration with executive members and managerial staff of SFPUC Water, Wastewater, and Power Enterprises, as well as lead strategic, cross-sector partnerships to advance policy and legislative priorities. The Director will establish and maintain a broad and deep network at all levels across the SFPUC and with external stakeholders.

Essential Duties:

- Crafting the PUC's public policy agenda as articulated by the General Manager, and strategy for achieving that agenda including providing timely and strategic recommendations to refine advocacy strategies in response to frequent shifts on the legislative and regulatory policy landscape. 

- Directing the development and execution of legislative and advocacy strategies and policies that advance the SFPUC's core objectives, goals, and plans at the local, regional, state and federal levels.                

- Building and strengthening external relationships with elected officials, government agencies, industry associations, environmental justice and environmental organizations and others to advance SFPUC policy priorities. Building and leading strategic, cross-sector partnerships to advance policy and legislative priorities.   

- Maintaining strong internal working relationships with the SFPUC staff. Briefing them of relevant policy proposals, legislation, regulation or trends including frequent communication and collaboration with Executive Management. Collaborating with the Mayor's Office and other City departments to advance complimentary policy and legislative positions.  

- Directing and managing the analyzing, tracking and monitoring of federal, state, and local legislation as well as emerging legislative, policy or regulatory issues and proposals.      

- Writing positions statements, talking points, issue briefs, comment letters and other appropriate responses to bills, regulations, and policies proposed by legislators.      

- Manage daily activities of state and federal lobbyists from multiple lobbying firms. Manage lobbyist contracts and reporting.       

- Supervise daily work of direct reports. Coach direct reports to improve performance and achieve professional development goals. Recruit and retain high-performing direct reports.     

- Identify, create, shape, and advocate for existing and new funding streams in response to new laws and regulations.

Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited university.

Experience: Eight (8) years of professional experience developing and/or implementing policy, advocacy, government affairs or regulatory affairs; including; of which three (3) years of experience must include supervising professionals.

Education/Experience Substitution: May substitute education with additional qualifying experience for up to two years.

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ): Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application at a later time. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Exam Components:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

-Ability to develop and implement public policy and legislative advocacy, including analyzing complex SFPUC issues and producing clear recommendations, position statements, and talking points.

-Ability to analyze and resolve operational issues by weighing options, removing obstacles, leveraging resources, and making informed recommendations through appropriate channels

-Ability to manage and coordinate complex projects from initiation through completion.

-Ability to work effectively and tactfully with high‑level officials, SFPUC divisions, membership organizations, legislators, and other external partners to build coalition, strategic partnerships, and to address issues raised by internal and external stakeholders.

 -Ability to manage and coach diverse staff through effective delegation, priority‑setting, problem‑solving, and accountability.

-Ability to communicate clearly and effectively across diverse audiences.   

-Ability to recognize and navigate organizational and political dynamics, while staying current on policy trends affecting the SFPUC.

-Ability to oversee budget and make sound decisions regarding the budget.

-Ability to apply structured change‑management practices while adapting approaches to different people, situations, and shifting priorities to ensure lasting successful organizational results.

A passing score must be achieved on the Supplemental Questionnaire Examination in order to continue in the selection process and be placed on the eligible list. Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles, when directed by the Human Resources Director.

Eligible List/Score Report:

A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.  The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of 12 months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director. 

Certification: The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of  the List.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2022-23.pdf

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:  Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams [required for Combined, Promotive, Entrance (CPE) Exams only]
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected] that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.