Transit Forward Philadelphia

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This full-time position is ideal for a skilled community organizer who has previous grassroots organizing experience in labor, housing, electoral or environmental justice and an interest in public transit or a rider of SEPTA, NJ Transit, or PATCO.

Salary: $47,000 ~ $52,000 (depending on experience) + Medical benefits + Employer matched 401k plan + Generous paid time off and vacation time + Major holidays off

Those with 1-2 years of experience will be offered the lower end of the range, while those with 4+ years of experience will be at the higher end. We do not negotiate salaries as it privileges those who are skilled at negotiation.

All interested candidates should send the following to [email protected] and will be asked to provide:

• An up-to-date resume (no longer than 2 pages);
• A 1-2 page cover letter explaining why you are interested in working at TFP and what makes you a good fit for the position. Be sure to relay your story in addition to your professional attributes.
• Two professional references;
• Email subject should read:“[last name] Coalition Manager Application”; and
• Clearances as the hiring process proceeds.

We will begin to review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled

JOB DESCRIPTION

Transit Forward Philadelphia (TFP) is a transit advocacy coalition amplifying the voices of riders and residents in support of a transit network that is the preferred mode of transportation in Greater Philadelphia. The coalition is made up of a diverse group of community partners ranging from labor unions to elderly rights groups to disability and environmental justice advocates. We believe that a safe, accessible, and sustainable transit system intersects issues surrounding affordable housing, labor rights, racial and economic justice, climate change, and access to affordable and quality healthcare. 

Transit Forward Philadelphia is seeking a new Coalition Manager to build and strengthen our existing relationships with coalition members, transit riders, and community leaders in the Greater Philadelphia region. The Coalition Manager will be responsible for recruiting new organizations to join the coalition, developing and implementing transit-related campaigns that demonstrate public support for equitable transit policies, and upholding the coalition’s Platform for a Connected Philadelphia. They will also be responsible for organizing and empowering riders, community leaders, and coalition members to participate in campaigns, direct actions, and the overall decision-making process. 

With the support of the Advocacy Director and over two dozen coalition members, the Coalition Manager will develop transit policy campaigns in historically underserved parts of the city. They will be responsible for organizing transit riders and member organizations who have suffered systemic and structural forms of injustice and discrimination such as displacement, residential segregation, neighborhood gentrification, environmental injustice, and ADA inaccessibility.

This full-time position is ideal for a skilled community organizer who has previous grassroots organizing experience in labor, housing, electoral, or environmental justice and an interest in public transit or a rider of SEPTA, NJ Transit, or PATCO. The ideal candidate is personable and outgoing with strong ties to the local community. They will work with a diverse set of constituents from various economic and racial/ethnic backgrounds as well as stakeholders from non-transit related organizations. Experience in Community Organizing and campaign planning is required and a strong commitment to Mobility Justice and Transit Equity is preferred. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engaging stakeholders and organizing communities throughout Philadelphia to increase involvement in and support of the coalition and its priorities; 
• Organizing a core group of volunteers to participate in events, actions/rallies, and campaign planning;
• Assist in developing public outreach campaigns to build support for better buses, fair fares, ADA accessibility, and statewide transit funding;
• Recruiting new organizations to join the coalition, specifically groups doing work around labor, housing, environmental justice, and zoning/land use;
• Building upon and strengthening the coalition’s relationships with transit riders, community organizations, and coalition members;
• Coordinating and facilitating meetings with coalition partners and developing subcommittees specific to various campaigns; and
• Building unity and solidarity amongst coalition members and bringing them together to solve transit-related issues in neighborhoods across Philadelphia.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-3 Years of community organizing or coalition-building experience in either labor, housing, electoral, or racial/social/environmental justice. Whether paid or as a volunteer -- bringing people together to build skills and achieve a common goal;
• Past experience developing and leading campaigns, organizing and managing volunteers, and handling online communications;
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills and a commitment to building strong stakeholder and one-on-one relationships with transit riders;
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages, abilities, cultural groups, economic statuses, or sexual orientations, with specific emphasis on serving underrepresented communities; 
• Comfortable presenting information to and engaging with stakeholders, large groups, and agency officials;
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and coordinating responsibilities with multiple stakeholders, preferably across multiple organizations;
• Microsoft Suite, Google Drive, NationBuilder (CRM Software) experience;
• Fluency in a second language is preferred, but not required; 
• Candidates with existing working relationships with community groups are preferred, but not required;
• Basic knowledge of Philadelphia’s transit systems and familiarity with Greater Philadelphia; and
• Passion for civic engagement and interest in transportation and environmental justice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is a 501(c)3 non-profit and fiscal sponsor of Transit Forward Philadelphia. All employees of Transit Forward Philadelphia are staff of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and are subject to the policies of the Bicycle Coalition.

We thank all applicants; we will contact only those selected for an interview.

Transit Forward Philadelphia believes that in order to obtain authentic equitable transit improvements, we need people from all backgrounds in the fight for transit justice. Because of this, we'd like to encourage people that represent the diverse communities that SEPTA serves to apply. Especially, people who come from communities that are often unacknowledged in the transit and environmental movement, including, communities of color, women, people with disabilities, and individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, multiracial, and/or multicultural, to bring your experience to this role.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.