Smart Growth America’s Transportation and Thriving Communities Team seeks a motivated individual interested in Complete Streets and the partnerships needed to make policy and systemic change. This position will contribute to the team’s Complete Streets policy and advocacy efforts through the management of the National Complete Streets Coalition. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “SGA Complete Streets Policy Manager” in the subject line.
Are you passionate about building relationships to create communities where all people can be safe, healthy, and connected? Are you eager to use your skills to grow a national coalition and its ability to inform policy, create resources, and capture the story of the Complete Streets movement?
Smart Growth America is seeking a skilled and motivated individual with knowledge, experience, and interest in the intersection of advocacy, partnerships, and policy as it relates to transportation, health, and equity. Specifically, this individual should have a strong desire to advance the efforts of Complete Streets policies and their implementation at all levels of government to prioritize health, safety, and resiliency. The ideal Complete Streets policy manager is keenly interested in how policy shapes the communities we live in, how it informs mobility independence and addresses racial inequities, and how we build partnerships to create success. This individual will have a creative mind to identify untapped outreach opportunities, an outgoing personality to engage our champions, and strong organizational skills to support the needs of a growing national coalition. They will be detail-oriented and able to juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and timelines. They are a dependable team player who can perform regular duties but also use their curiosity to identify and take advantage of emerging opportunities. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to work successfully independently and within a team.
About Smart Growth America
Smart Growth America envisions a country where no matter where you live, or who you are, you can enjoy living in a place that is healthy, prosperous, and resilient. We empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize this vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity.
About Thriving Communities
The Thriving Communities Team, a part of Smart Growth America’s broader Transportation and Thriving Communities Team, works at the intersection of transportation, public health, and arts and culture, bringing in economic development, fiscal health, land use, racial equity, and climate resilience. It houses Smart Growth America staff who work on initiatives including the National Complete Streets Coalition and our Arts and Culture programs. Through our work, we serve as a portal to connect communities to each other and to programs across Smart Growth America.
This position will be a part of the Thriving Communities team and will report to the Director of Thriving Communities.
Responsibilities
National Complete Streets Coalition
- Manage the National Complete Streets Coalition, including outreach, organization, and activation of its members through the Steering Committee, Federal Advocacy, and Membership working groups.
- Develop and oversee program initiatives including the new Complete Streets Power Hours to engage and grow the movement.
- Scope, manage, and execute opportunities to engage Coalition members to advance the research, programs, and communications of the Thriving Communities team.
- Assist the Director of Thriving Communities with identifying opportunities to assess the evolution and success of the Complete Streets movement.
Advocacy and Communications
- Working with Transportation for America, advance the policy goals of the National Complete Streets Coalition at the federal level.
- Develop resources to be used by local and state champions to advance the Complete Streets movement and leverage resources like Dangerous by Design in their efforts.
- Assist the Director of Thriving Communities with identifying opportunities to improve the communications channels (newsletter, social media, blog, etc.) of the National Complete Streets Coalition.
Policy Tracking and Analysis
- Maintain and track Complete Streets databases including the Complete Streets policy atlas and Complete Streets policy scoring tool
- Summarize and distill analysis and policy successes into clear reporting, recommendations, and story-telling for broader stakeholders and audience groups.
- Provide technical assistance to communities seeking to draft and/or improve Complete Streets policies
Knowledge, skills, and experience
Required
- A college degree and at least 5 years of work experience including some work related to coalition building and partner management;
- Knowledge of and deep interest in the intersection of public health and transportation, especially as to how the built environment informs the way people move in and interact with their communities and the role of Complete Streets in improving safety and public health outcomes;
- Experience with Complete Streets policies and projects;
- Experience working in advocacy, policy analysis and review, and/or outreach, especially in transportation safety and the disparate impact of dangerous roads on BIPOC communities;
- Strong written and verbal ability, research skills, and attention to detail;
- Ability and desire to connect with leaders, advocates, and practitioners engaged in transportation and health;
- Excellent time management and organization;
- Good interpersonal skills and comfort working in a collaborative team environment; and
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Preferred
- A graduate degree in health, transportation, planning or other related field;
- Work experience in the intersection of health and transportation, planning and design, or other related fields;
- Previous experience in local, regional, state, or federal policy as it relates to our subject matter;
- Experience working with diverse populations; and
- Experience or demonstrable commitment in working on issues of equity vis-à-vis arts and culture, health, transportation, land use and development, climate, and/or livable communities.
Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience and will range between $66,500 and $79,750. The successful candidate who would be in consideration for compensation near the top of this range will have more than 5 years on a majority of the responsibilities listed in the job description, significant experience managing coalitions or partnership networks, and at least two of the skills listed as preferred above.
SGA has an entrepreneurial and innovative workplace culture where employees work collaboratively to achieve the mission with a focus on equity. SGA offers a generous employee benefits package featuring a fully paid medical plan, optional dental and vision coverage, 401k with a strong company contribution, company-paid life and disability insurance, transportation stipend, three weeks’ vacation in the first year, and 12 paid holidays.
Office Schedule & COVID Protocols
This position is based in Washington, DC. No relocation assistance is being offered at this time. Staff currently work in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays while working remotely on Mondays and Fridays. SGA requires employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and boosted.
How to Apply
If you believe you are a good fit for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “SGA Complete Streets Policy Manager” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please indicate how you learned of this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Smart Growth America is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color.
Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.