Title:                           Maryland Transit Advocate
Location:                   Currently remote (*see below for note about office location)
Job Classification:   Full Time – Non Exempt
Supervisor:                Cheryl Cort, Policy Director

About the Coalition for Smarter Growth:

The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington, D.C. region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. For 25 years, CSG has advocated for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, D.C. region to grow and provide opportunities for all. Read more about our organization at smartergrowth.net.

Your Role:

Do you have a passion for advocacy, transit, and making a difference in your community? Do you love connecting with people and building relationships that can  make change happen? Are you ready to use these skills to strengthen a movement for more sustainable, equitable transportation investments in the state of Maryland?

Our small but mighty team is looking for a Maryland Transit Advocate to help win major state transit investments, particularly in Prince George’s County, an up-and-coming majority Black and Black-led locality. CSG’s advocacy goals for Prince George’s include securing state-level funding for improved, equitable bus transit and to support walkable, transit-oriented development at the county’s 15 Metrorail stations and 11 Purple Line light rail stations. 

We’re looking for an individual with skills in relationship-building, clear and effective writing, and advocacy and organizing.  We seek dedication to advancing smart growth, an ability to manage multiple projects, creative thinking and open-mindedness, and who can be an integral part of our winning team.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as an ambassador for the Coalition for Smarter Growth with local officials, community and business leaders, residents, and activists
• Build alliances with labor, environmental, social justice, and forward-looking industry groups to win transit and transit access investments
• Support and help build CSG partnerships in the Maryland statewide effort to direct federal and state transportation funds to equitable and green transit investments that reduce CO2 emissions and toxic pollutants, while improving access to jobs and other opportunities
• Strengthen RISE Prince George’s and nurture activists to take on leadership roles for this CSG-supported, county-based group, which advocates for better bus service, safer access to transit by walking and bicycling, and more walkable, equitable transit-oriented communities (see our 2022 Platform)
• Cultivate new transit and smart growth supporters in Prince George’s County through grassroots outreach and coalition building
• Organize educational and campaign events such as walking tours, educational forums, press conferences, decision-maker briefings, advocates meetings, and volunteer gatherings (virtual and in-person, depending on pandemic safety assessment)
• Research, develop, and execute strategies for new and ongoing transit, sustainable transportation, and smart growth campaigns
• Track relevant transit, smart growth and transportation issues at the county and state level
• Work with CSG staff to craft compelling testimony, email alerts, and blog posts
• Communicate and build relationships with relevant local and regional press members to ensure coverage and incorporation of sustainable transportation and smart growth issues in news media
• Pitching in as needed: because we’re a small office, we all help with big events, administrative tasks, fundraising, and the random stuff that just comes up

Qualifications

This is a position that uses a wide range of skills, but candidates possessing 75% or more of the following qualifications should apply:

• Demonstrated and enthusiastic dedication to smart growth principles central to CSG’s mission, including increasing transit access and creating walkable, inclusive communities
• 2-3 years of experience in advocacy, community organizing, and/or political campaigns
• Experience building and maintaining diverse coalitions or direct experience working with underserved communities
• Knowledge of Maryland politics, with a particular focus on Prince George’s County
• Familiarity with the legislative process, particularly at the county and state level in Maryland
• Experience and knowledge of bus transit, streets designed for safe walking and bicycling, and land use and transportation planning
• Creative thinking and a pragmatic approach to organizing
• Ability to quickly digest and distill complicated information
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Comfort speaking in front of large groups, leading meetings, and working with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to work with and manage different personalities and backgrounds
• A self-starter and solutions-oriented work attitude
• Spanish language proficiency or fluency is a plus

Working with the CSG team, we are looking for a team member with these qualities:

• Ability to engage with colleagues in a collaborative way.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to take direction from and work closely with supervisors and senior staff. This position reports to the Policy Director and also works closely with the Maryland Advocacy Manager.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and an unpredictable legislative process in a very fast-paced office.
• Desire and ability to connect with our communities – members, donors, volunteers, expert guides/speakers, and event attendees.
• Willingness to work occasional weeknights and Saturdays.

Compensation

This is a full-time, 40-hour per week position. Salary range is $27.50 to $33 per hour ($57,200-$68,640) and negotiable within the posted range, depending on qualifications and experience.

Employee Benefits:

CSG, through its parent organization The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plan options, (PEC pays 83% of the premium under the employee-only plan and 73% of the premium for added dependents based on HAS plan rates)
• Dental and Vision insurance plans
• Short & Long Term Disability, Group Term Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances – all premiums 100% paid by PEC
• Health Savings Account (with employer match up to $750 per year) or Flexible Spending Accounts (health & dependent)
• 403(b) pension plan with up to 6% employer contribution (3% automatic and 3% match) after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 12 paid holidays
• Longevity-based paid leave (PTO) of 15-24 days per year, accrued by pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer
• Longevity-based Salary Continuation Leave for employee or family illness, 2 to 8 weeks every 24 months
• Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Service Training leave
• Cell Phone Reimbursement up to $75 per month
• Travel Expense Reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development training and/or education support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees

*Office Location

CSG has operated virtually since the pandemic, and is evaluating options for shared office space we could secure once we deem it appropriate. Due to the subject matter, is it important that the candidate lives in or is willing to relocate to the Washington, D.C. region. Reasonable proximity to the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County, Maryland is advantageous. Periodic evening and weekend work is required and matched with reasonable flexibility during the week.

To Apply:

Submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@smartergrowth.net with “Maryland Transit Advocate” in the subject line. In your application materials, let us know where you learned about the position. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Applications are reviewed immediately upon receipt.

The Coalition for Smarter Growth is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work. helps build the competencies and knowledge of our organization. Diversity of experience and skills, combined with passion, is key to our organizational identity.

Read our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) statement.