Transportation justice coordinator-Oakland, CA

Urban Habitat seeks a transportation justice advocate with a social/environmental justice focus to advance regional equity through policy advocacy and lead/support other priority transportation/environmental justice and equitable development campaigns throughout the region.

THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1989, Urban Habitat has advanced regional equity in the Bay Area by changing transportation investments, increasing housing options and advocating for healthy and thriving built environments. We achieve our mission through public policy advocacy, developing advocate leaders as decision makers, building coalitions and coordinating/supporting campaigns to advance environmental, economic and social justice in the Bay Area.

POSITION SUMMARY

The TRANSPORTATION JUSTICE(TJ)Program Coordinator works closely with the Transportation Justice and Land Use staff, Strategic Initiatives team and UH Leadership to define and implement campaigns, policy advocacy, research, and coalition building. A major focus of this work is watch dogging regional transportation policy, planning, decision-making, funding and investments. The TJ Coordinator will help monitor the Civil Rights policies of transit operators.

The position will support movement building in the Regional Equity, Transportation Justice & Environmental Justice sectors. The TJ Coordinator will work to bridge UH’s TJ program work with our equitable development and anti-displacement, housing, climate, and public health work.

The Coordinator will work closely with UH’s partners to ensure that low-income communities and communities of color benefit from the implementation of key transportation, land use and climate policies at the local, regional, and state level. Example policy targets may include the Sustainable Communities Strategy of the Regional Transportation Plan, Local transportation funding measures and key statewide legislation including AB 32 and SB 375.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The candidate must be a strong strategic/analytical (campaign and program level) thinker, excellent communicator and have the ability to generate and equalize knowledge between complex ideas (transportation planning, funding, decision-making) and grassroots campaigns. The candidate must be able to conduct research that supports concrete campaign recommendations and policy recommendations as well as experience in providing relevant policy analysis of TJ and Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Candidate must be able to work with a diverse group of stakeholders including grassroots community based organizations, policy advocates, environmental organizations, government, labor, and public health organizations. Coordinator should be familiar with regional transportation policy, planning (and ideally Land Use planning), decision-making, funding and from a social equity perspective.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Staff the Transportation Justice Working Group and support Regional Equity Initiatives such as the 6 Wins for Social Equity.
• Support the creation and development of UH’s short and long-term Transportation Justice policy agenda and strategy at the regional and local levels. This includes working with community based local TJ campaigns/coalitions on transit funding measures.
• Strengthen development of UH’s analysis of the relationship between public investment in transportation and market driven housing as well as support a rethinking of UH’s Equitable TOD framework
• Support Land Use & Housing program site based planning work as needed.
• Monitor the political landscape for strategic opportunities to advance UH’s priority campaigns and programs. Research and analyze local, regional, state and, national policies that are relevant to UH’s Transportation Justice goals; design innovative policies and advocacy strategies that build on UH’s existing expertise and relationships.
• Mobilize policymakers, community and labor allies, and other key stakeholders around UH’s Transportation Justice policy agenda and strategies.
• Support UH’s efforts through regional equity forums & convenings to educate and mobilize members on key Transportation Justice issues including land use, equitable development, climate, housing, transportation, jobs and health.
• Strengthen UH’s written regional equity analysis and framework on Transportation Justice issues including equitable development, climate, housing, land use, jobs and health. Support UH’s efforts to produce original reports and analysis that contribute to the environmental justice movement. Provide data, analysis and articles for UH’s website and other UH publications.
• Represent UH on Transportation Justice/Equitable TOD issues at conferences, community events, workshops, and other public/media engagements.
• Provide policy analysis for and recommendations to UH leadership, staff and board about key campaign, policy advocacy and legislative opportunities at the local, state and national level.
• Lead review and re-development, working with UH’s Strategic initiatives team, of UH TJ and Equitable Development curriculum and training resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in urban planning, urban studies, environmental studies, economics, public policy, or equivalent experience such as policy director for planning, housing or transportation organization.
• Knowledge and experience working on regional transportation policy, planning (and ideally Land Use planning and Climate), decision-making, funding and history from a social equity perspective
• Capacity to utilize a wide array of research methods, including but not limited to: Internet, public information requests, government reports, telephone inquiries, quantitative analysis relevant to transportation, GIS and key informant interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate policy analysis and research results, including development of conclusions and persuasive arguments for individuals outside the organization, as appropriate; bilingual or multi-lingual a plus.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading successful policy campaigns and/or programs focused on environmental, social, and/or economic justice. Capacity to evaluate and prioritize campaign opportunities to ensure that they maximize Urban Habitat’s overall campaign and organizational goals.
• General knowledge of the Bay Area as a region with specific knowledge of sub-regions and priority communities a plus. This position does require extensive interactions with community-based organizations throughout the region. Strong commitment to issues of environmental, social and economic justice and to working within a regional, multi-sector, multi-issue framework.
• High level of proven leadership and ability to manage complex tasks in a timely and professional manner.
• Ability to work well under tight deadlines and in a team environment.

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday, March 7^th.