National Transportation Campaign Director

National Transportation Campaign Director

Clean Transportation Program

Union of Concerned Scientists

Washington, DC - remote work possible

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit that uses science to protect our health, safety, and environment.  We are scientists, engineers, economists, activists and everyday people who develop and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.

UCS is looking for an experienced campaigner, manager, and advocate who will help lead and coordinate across our campaigns promoting a cleaner, more equitable transportation system in the US. We are working to transform the way we move people and goods in this country and are seeking a leader who will leverage their skills and expertise to help reduce global warming emissions and the harmful pollution that particularly threatens overburdened and underserved communities while increasing access to clean, affordable mobility.  In this role, your work will have real, lasting impacts on how transportation policy decisions are made on both the national and state levels. The right candidate will be able to thoughtfully develop strategic campaigns as it relates to clean, equitable transportation and public health policy, while working closely with both national coalition and local environmental justice partners to build collective power.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and execution of national clean transportation campaigns. Provide expert direction, feedback and support across campaign efforts to effectively and strategically manage externally changing conditions, campaign opportunities, and resource constraints.
• Help develop and implement the annual campaign planning process, oversee execution of the annual planning retreat, and facilitate internal decision-making processes around CT campaign execution and priorities.
• Provide guidance to the clean transportation campaign managers and other campaign leaders in the development of campaign goals, strategies, tactics, and metrics, and the implementation of systems to generate successful, high impact, and high visibility campaigns.
• Ensure that tactics that incorporate analysis, advocacy, partner input, supporter engagement, and media and visibility are well integrated, aligned, and timed for maximum impact.
• Supervise clean transportation campaign staff, interns, and consultants as needed, and liaise with other UCS staff.
• Develop online and offline grassroots and grasstops organizing strategies and tactics to cultivate and amplify activist, scientist, and partner support for clean, equitable transportation solutions while building power for the movement.
• Compose and review outreach and campaign materials including action alert emails, fact sheets, talking points, social media content, and other written materials as needed, translating technical materials for varied external audiences.
• Ensure effective coordination with campaign directors and managers in other UCS programs and across federal and state campaign activity.
• Cultivate and build meaningful relationships with partners and represent UCS in national transportation coalitions.
• Powerfully support efforts to integrate racial equity and environmental justice into goals, policy advocacy, analysis, and ongoing outreach as well as the inclusive and transparent management and overall functioning of campaigns. Ensure campaign leadership is accountable for doing this.
• Ensure the inclusive and transparent functioning of a campaign team that draws on the contributions of all members to deliver external impact, while contributing to the creation of an internal team culture in which staff are heard, respected, and heeded.
• Develop metrics for, track effectiveness of, and help ensure implementation of lessons learned from campaign activities. Help build support for our work with funders.
• Stay informed about science advocacy, transportation policy, and movement building-related issues.

Qualifications and Experience

Position requires ten years of relevant experience in developing campaign strategy and communications, organizing and developing leaders among grassroots and grasstops activists, and utilizing online and offline mobilization strategies. Must also have experience supervising organizers and leading matrixed teams. Demonstrated ability to conceive, plan and implement effective issue campaigns. Advocacy experience and experience building and maintaining relationships with key constituencies, with an emphasis on racial/social justice organizations. Demonstrated ability to thoughtfully navigate issues related to diversity, justice, equity, and inclusion and a deep commitment to advancing these values. Demonstrated ability to collaborate as a leader and member of a multidisciplinary team, with a commitment to transparency and inclusivity. Strong project and budget management and excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Direct knowledge of transportation field generally acquired through a Master’s Degree in transportation policy/or environmental science, public policy, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience is preferred but not essential.

May spend extended periods at computer.  Some travel required when it is safe to do so.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Details: This is a full-time position either based in Washington, DC or remote with the ability to travel frequently to Washington DC. Competitive salary, commensurate with experience. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

A note on the pandemic:

During the coronavirus pandemic our staff are working from home. We will resume working from our offices, travel, and in-person meetings when it is safe to do so.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please list your salary expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

Deadline: March 4, 2022 or until filled

https://apply.workable.com/j/C527D6996B