Reports to: Families for Safe Streets Organizer
Salary: $60k/year

Transportation Alternatives (TA), New York City’s advocate for walking, bicycling, and public transportation, seeks a trauma-focused, team-oriented social worker, advocate and/or community organizer to join the organization as a Families for Safe Streets (FSS) Social Worker/Advocate. Comprised of people who have been injured or lost loved ones in crashes, FSS confronts the epidemic of traffic violence by advocating for life-saving changes and providing support to those who have been impacted. Founded in 2014 in NYC, FSS is now growing as a national movement with chapters across the country.

Position Overview

The FSS Social Worker/Advocate will help provide the organization’s support services, and in conjunction with the FSS Organizer, will help manage the organization’s advocacy campaigns.

Support Services

Every three hours someone is killed or seriously injured in a NYC traffic crash. These are parents, kids, elders, teachers, many of whom were doing nothing more than crossing the street in a crosswalk on their way home. The physical, emotional and spiritual trauma of traffic violence is unfathomable and FSS believes no one should go through it alone. As drivers are most often not charged with any crime, those who’ve been impacted are not afforded the rights and compensation of other crime victims and are left to fall through the cracks. The FSS Social Worker will apply a trauma-informed approach in responding and reaching out to families, providing crisis intervention (if applicable), connecting them with necessary referrals/ services and engaging them in additional FSS support services. Navigating insurance, criminal justice, physical/mental health and other systems in the immediate aftermath of a crash can be nearly impossible and the FSS Social Worker/Advocate will share FSS resources and offer emotional and logistical support. The Social Worker/Advocate may also work with the FSS Organizer to help organize and facilitate monthly FSS Support Community events designed to offer support and guidance and to help participants manage the pain and isolation that can occur after trauma and loss. Many sessions include guest speakers who help to facilitate a healing modality and provide insight, relevant information, or an experiential activity, with additional time dedicated to discussion and resource sharing. The Social Worker/Advocate will also assist in facilitating FSS’s peer mentoring program which pairs members with volunteer mentors who have been through similar experiences.

Safe Streets Advocacy

In addition to providing critically needed support services, FSS members leverage their unique and powerful voices with policymakers to demand an end to fatalities and injuries on their city’s streets. Opinion polling and social science research has repeatedly shown that survivors of violence are particularly effective advocates for policy change, and FSS members are no exception. FSS’ first successful campaign was lowering the NYC speed limit. Other campaigns focus on evidence-based solutions to mitigate deaths and injuries including speed management, street redesign, vehicle rating systems and a Crash Victim Bill of Rights. FSS is also working with Center for Court Innovation on restorative justice programs. The FSS Social Worker/Advocate will assist in managing and engaging members in FSS/TA’s grassroots advocacy campaigns.

Areas of responsibility may include:

• Respond and outreach to those who have been injured or lost loved ones in traffic crashes

• Provide support, referrals and follow-up

• Develop, support and engage the growing FSS membership and foster a community of support and social connection

• Organize and facilitate membership meetings and support community events

• Manage and support FSS’ peer mentoring program

• Provide emotional and technical support to members who testify at hearings, speak at rallies, are interviewed by press and participate in FSS advocacy work

• Build and maintain referral relationships with hospitals, victim services agencies, district attorneys’ offices, local representatives’ offices and other referral sources

• Assist and participate in FSS lobby weeks, rallies, vigils, annual World Day of Remembrance commemoration and other advocacy events

• Participate in coalitions with other organizations; Attend and present at community meetings and public forums

• Maintain and develop tools to effectively collect important member and campaign information

• Assist in recruitment and training of volunteers, interns and facilitators needed for support roles

• Build relationships with grassroots and grass-tops community partners to advance campaign goals

• Participate in regular team meetings

• Assist national FSS chapters as needed

Qualified candidates will bring with them:

• At least two years’ experience in social work, union, community or political organizing; MSW preferred, but not required

• Experience providing advocacy and support services; knowledge of and familiarity with public, non-profit and other resources to meet members’ needs

• Strong time management skills, with the ability to meet goals and deadlines while working independently

• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build trust and maintain relationships with members, community partners and fellow staff

• Strong communication skills, including writing and public speaking

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, frequently changing environment, including the ability to “manage up”

Exceptional candidates will also bring with them:

• Familiarity and interest in TA and FSS’s work and advocacy areas

• Bilingual, with a strong preference for Spanish or Chinese speakers

• Background in trauma-informed care

• Experience with using social media platforms for organizing, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

To apply:

Please send a resume and a cover letter to job_applications@transalt.org with “FSS Social Worker/Advocate” in the subject line.

This position is included in the bargaining unit of TA employees represented by the Technical, Office and Professional Union, T.O.P. Local 2110 UAW.

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, gender identity, 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. BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.