STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OFFICER (COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER)

State Government Relations Officer (Communications Officer)

The Port of Long Beach is seeking a State Government Relations Officer (Communications Officer). This is an at-will position with a salary range of $104,979.11 - $142,858.67 annually. The position is located in the City of Long Beach, CA and is classified as Unclassified - Full-Time, Permanent. The department is Harbor (UC) and the division is Harbor-Strat Adv-Gov Relations. The application period is open from October 15, 2025 to November 12, 2025 at 11 : 59 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana.

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 Manager 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#.

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 :

Technical Skills Needed :

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