Communities for Transit (“CFT”) is a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to public eduation to cultivate and harness enthusiasm for transit and smart growth to build support for a planned rapid transit network in Montgomery County, Maryland. CFT will employ a range of strategies to catalyze support for making Montgomery County a national leader in using transit systems to transform “urbanizing” suburbs from congested, auto-centric neighborhoods into more environmentally and financially sustainable communities.

• Build and maintain CFT’s contact databases
• Develop content for CFT’s blog, fact sheets and social media accounts
• Catalog research and media regarding existing transit systems around the world
• Assist in new research projects relating to the proposed rapid transit network
• Create public education materials that are responsive to a wide variety of audiences and concerns
• Organize logistics and outreach around CFT’s public education events and community discussions
• Administer office and organizational functions as needed on a day-to-day basis
• Implement fundraising projects to sustain CFT’s efforts into the future

• Passion for transit, smart growth, planning, and/or environmental issues strongly preferred
• Excellent computer skills and experience with mass email communications, social media, and/or web development
• Ability to self-start and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Fast learner with attention to detail and ability to turn-around projects on quick timelines
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills; Comfort with public speakin
  Demonstrated comfort conducting public education campaigns, particularly for diverse communities, including youths, renters, immigrants, businesses, environmentalists, etc
• Experience working in a 501(c)(3) non-profit environment or other community-facing organization preferred

Communities for Transit (“CFT”) is a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to public education to cultivate and harness enthusiasm for transit and smart growth to build support for a planned rapid transit network in Montgomery County, Maryland. CFT will employ a range of strategies to catalyze support for making Montgomery County a national leader in using transit systems to transform “urbanizing” suburbs from congested, auto-centric neighborhoods into more environmentally and financially sustainable communities.

• Work with web development, media and design consultants to develop high-impact simulations of the proposed transit network
• Build a program of public education events and community discussions around transit-related issues
• Conduct outreach to stakeholders and communities impacted by the transit plan
• Draft and design fact sheets, brochures, and other educational materials
• Establish and maintain regular communications with journalists, opinion leaders, blogs, and other news outlets
• Facilitate formation of a diverse coalition of local organizations that support high-quality transit systems
• Help manage office and organizational functions ranging from fundraising activities, intern supervision, and more
• Develop and maintain website and social media strategy for CFT
• Devise and implement a fundraising plan to sustain CFT’s efforts into the future

• Passion for transit, smart growth, planning, and/or environmental issues strongly preferred
• Prior experience at a public advocacy, non-profit, or policy organization, especially in a field related to CFT’s mission
• Project management experience, with demonstrated organizational abilities and attention to detail
• Ability to self-start and work creatively and independently in a fast-paced environment, including comfort with tracking multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Solid work history involving public speaking, writing and interpersonal skills
• Experience conducting public education campaigns, particularly for diverse communities, including youths, renters, immigrants, businesses, environmentalists, etc
• Excellent computer skills; Familiarity with mass email communications, social media, and web development preferred; Experience with graphic design, CRM, video editing, and blogging software a plus

Reconnecting America is a national nonprofit organization that helps transform promising ideas into thriving communities, where transportation choices make it easy to get from place to place, where businesses flourish, and where people from all walks of life can afford to live, work and visit.  We accomplish these goals by advising civic and community leaders on how to overcome community development challenges to create better communities for all.

We also develop research and innovative public policy, while building on-the-ground partnerships and convening the players needed to accelerate decision-making. Reconnecting America engages in an integrated set of activities to support our efforts including technical assistance with a broad set of stakeholders in regions big and small across the country, policy reform at the federal, state and local levels and education activities to build capacity among the range of stakeholders ultimately responsible for building stronger and more equitable communities.

Reconnecting America is the managing partner in the Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD), the only national nonprofit effort funded by Congress to promote best practices in transit-oriented development.  For more information visit our website, www.reconnectingamerica.org

Position Overview

Reconnecting America is looking for a motivated, self-guided individual with knowledge, experience, and interest in transit-oriented development, affordable housing, community development and transportation and an interest in helping to develop materials for our policy and education programs. The intern will work on a variety of projects that may include:

• Conducting research on the integration of housing and transit in small and midsize cities.
• Creating project sheets and case studies on various topics related to transit-oriented development, transportation, and affordable housing policy.
• Reviewing and preparing budget analysis of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the US Department of Transportation annual budget requests.
• Supporting staff with graphic representation and editing information in Adobe illustrator and PowerPoint formats.
• Conducting research on local, regional, state and federal transit-oriented development policies.
• Supporting staff with federal level policy advocacy for transportation and sustainable communities.
• Updating content on the Mixed-Income TOD Action Guide (www.mitod.org), an online tool developed for the Federal Transit Administration.
• Preparing presentation materials and assisting with logistics for RA projects.
• Possible short-term, targeted research and/or analysis projects. Also, occasional minor administrative tasks.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelors degree and at least a year of graduate work in city planning, geography, architecture, transportation, public policy, or other related field
• Excellent research, writing and analytical skills
• Comfort using Excel and PowerPoint are essential. Experience with Illustrator, Photoshop, Access, or ArcGIS would be a plus
• An understanding of transit-oriented development principles and strategies and/ or principles related to sustainable communities (health, affordable housing, transportation etc.)
• Self-directed, resourceful, and results-oriented
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills. Ability to work productively, professionally and respectfully with coworkers and outside partners
• Motivated, enthusiastic and committed to the organization’s mission

The position is paid, part-time (15-20 hours/week) and available starting in early to mid-March. Position will be filled from March to August 2013, possibly beyond. Hourly wage is commensurate with experience.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume no later than March 1, 2013 to Sasha Forbes, gsforbes@reconnectingamerica.org. In the subject line write: RA SPRING INTERN. No phone calls, please.

For more information about Reconnecting America please visit our website: www.reconnectingamerica.org.