Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Transportation Alternatives Seeks Family for Safe Streets Organizer (NYC)

(FULL TIME/One-year contract with possibility for renewal)

Summary of Position:

Transportation Alternatives (TransAlt) is at the forefront of New York’s Vision Zero effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the city by 2024. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of injury-related death for New York City children under 14 and the second leading cause for senior citizens. More New Yorkers are killed by cars than murdered by guns. Without a radical transformation of street design, driving behavior and regulations, we are implicitly accepting a tremendous loss of life on NYC streets.

In 2014, Transportation Alternatives (TransAlt) partnered with families impacted by traffic violence to form Families for Safe Streets (FSS). This new TransAlt project gives New Yorkers who have lost loved ones or been injured in traffic crashes the opportunity to receive support services as well as to channel their grief into action. Guided by TransAlt, FSS members engage in advocacy and targeted awareness campaigns to press for changes to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries on NYC streets. FSS builds on TransAlt’s longstanding commitment to amplify the voices of people affected by traffic violence as a tool for change.

The FSS Organizer will play a critical role in supporting existing FSS members, growing the group by reaching other New Yorkers impacted by traffic violence, and coordinating new support service activities. We seek a motivated, energetic person with experience in community organizing who understands the power that building a membership like this can have on policy and culture change. Applicants should be familiar with current local and state politics, have experience in political and/or community organizing and have a strong affinity for the mission of Transportation Alternatives. This will not be a traditional 9-5 position. Some night and weekend work will be required, because the Organizer will need to attend community board meetings, meet with local community members in the evening and conduct outreach events on the weekends. The job also involves working with families in grief; while experience and/or training in this realm is helpful, it is not essential; support will be provided regardless of past experience.

Responsibilities:

  • Work with the Deputy Director, the Families for Safe Streets Steering Committee and the membership to set priorities and carry out priority Vision Zero campaigns
  • Organize and facilitate membership meetings
  • Initiate, coordinate, manage and supervise FSS membership peer support services and programs, including its Helpline, Peer Support Network, Peer-led Support Groups and Case Assistance project
  • Develop, support and engage the growing FSS membership and foster a community of support and social connection
  • Conduct outreach to New Yorkers recently impacted by traffic violence as well as hospitals, attorneys, police and others who could refer potential FSS members
  • Maintain and develop tools to effectively collect important information related to our membership base
  • Assist in recruitment and training of volunteers, interns and facilitators needed for support roles
  • Participate in coalitions with other organizations
  • Participate in regular team meetings at central office

Qualifications:

  • Two years experience in union, community, political or issue-based organizing
  • Strong time-management skills, with the ability to meet goals and deadlines while working independently
  • Experience working with trauma and/or grief preferred, but not required
  • Self-starter who shows initiative and is eager to launch FSS’ support activities
  • Ability to engage individuals in the midst of trauma and grief
  • Strong work ethic and ability to multi-task
  • Detail-oriented and extremely well-organized
  • Strong interpersonal skills; ability to build trust and maintain relationships with dozens of community partners
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Adept with social media and other web-based outreach tools
  • Knowledge of Queens neighborhoods strongly preferred
  • Bilingual English-Spanish strongly preferred

Values:

  • Commitment to building a more equitable NYC
  • Commitment to traffic justice
  • Commitment to organizing people to achieve change
  • Strong communication skills that are grounded in empathy
  • Comfort working independently in a fast-paced campaign environment
  • A sense of humor

Compensation:

We offer competitive salary and benefits including an employer-contributed health/dental plan, three weeks paid vacation, professional development opportunities, transit/bike commuter benefits and indoor bike parking. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.

Note on One-Year Contract:

This position is a one-year contract with possibility of renewal/permanence. This is a new position, and we want to ensure we are bringing the right skill set to the organization to support FSS members. As part of the year contract, there will be a 3-month performance review and 9-month review and discussion about renewal.

To Apply:

Please send cover letter and resume to job_applications@transalt.org with “Families for Safe Streets Organizer” in the subject line. APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. No phone calls or walk-ins, please. Hiring immediately. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

Transportation Alternatives is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. We value having diverse staff in gender, ethnicity, background and modal preference.