Photo by THE Holy Hand Grenade!

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking excellent candidates for the position of Sustainability Program, Group Manager. This is a senior level position that will oversee a $40M energy budget, energy efficiency and implementation of an Environmental Management System for the District.  I’d appreciate it if you could post to your networks.

The group manager will be responsible for guiding BART’s Sustainability planning and implementation in order to advance BART’s long-term vision for sustainability. Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the Energy Division and Environmental Management Systems, to implement BART’s Sustainability Policy through sustainable and resilient provision of energy and other key resources supporting operation of the BART system; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Assistant General Manager and Chief Planning and Development Officer(s); and performs related duties as assigned.

http://www.bart.gov/about/jobs (See position #5456).

Transportation for America is seeking a highly skilled and proactive team member with knowledge and interest in local, state and federal transportation policy to serve as Policy Associate. This person will report directly to the Policy Director and work closely with Transportation for America Consulting — a mission based consulting service — as well as with our members and stakeholders to help achieve progress on our priorities at all levels of government.

Transportation for America is an alliance of elected, business and civic leaders from communities across the country who are united to ensure that states and the federal government step up to invest in smart, homegrown, locally-driven transportation solutions. We advocate for transportation reforms including increased local control of transportation planning and increased investments in infrastructure that boost long-term regional prosperity, and policies that improve the performance of the transportation system. This includes collaboration and support for local elected officials, chambers of commerce, businesses, and regional leaders in providing the tools and resources to allow them to complete their transportation priorities.

Responsibilities:

• Present and discuss transportation policies and local implications with stakeholders including mayors, state representatives, state DOTs, regional chambers of commerce, transportation planners, businesses and equity advocates.
• Represent Transportation for America and our key transportation policies before local councils, state legislatures, and on Capitol Hill.
• Prepare legislative and policy documents related to local, state and federal transportation decisions.
• Manage transportation policy programs to deliver resources and tools to elected officials and transportation practitioners throughout the country.

Qualifications:

• Proactive, team-player
• Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills
• Bachelor’s degree
• At least two years of experience in legislative advocacy
• Experience with state and/or local transportation policy
• Experience with federal regulations and Congress is a plus, but not required.

Transportation for America offers a competitive salary commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits. This position is located in Washington, D.C. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Joe McAndrew atjoe.mcandrew@t4america.org with the subject line “Policy Associate application”

Equal opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Transportation for America. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

Transportation for America also prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability.

#Manspreading much? LOL. For the uninformed, “Manspreading,” is the term coined for this: when men take up excess space by sitting with their legs far apart in buses and trains (and this has long been a pet peeve for fellow riders, particularly women). Off late there has been a lot of discussions on this topic, which I suspect was what prompted this brilliant cartoon.

Image courtesy. The New Yorker, via Twitter

And here is the New York MTA campaign poster advising folks to keep their legs together:

Image courtesy: NY MTA

This graphic puts the use of space by each surface transportation mode in perspective.. and it is quite obvious that cars eat up a lot of space in our urban environments.

Automobile, defined: a really poor use of space to move people thru the city. (Like, the worst.) h/t @jen_keesmaat pic.twitter.com/ZwgdCPvWbv

— Taras Grescoe (@grescoe) December 29, 2014

Photo by m01229

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 25, 2015

TransitCenter, a civic foundation that supports and catalyzes innovation in sustainable urban mobility, seeks a Program Analyst to join its New York City office. The successful candidate will be an integral member of a growing organization and assist in conducting research, developing and implementing programs and projects related to improving transportation in cities, as well as building organizational capacity.

Responsibilities

As part of a small team, the Program Analyst will research issues, develop opportunities, and execute projects that promote sustainable urban mobility, with oversight from the Executive Director and Director of Research & Development. Some projects may be executed through the use of program consultants with specialized subject matter expertise, who the Program Analyst must be qualified to oversee. A sample of works we have previously commissioned can be inspected atwww.transitcenter.org/ourwork.

Initial primary area of focus may include initiatives related to a diversity of topics such as transit planning, technology, rider information, or capital project finance. While specific assignments will be shaped in part by the Program Analyst’s particular background, a successful candidate will have avid interest and versatility to work on a range of other transportation-related subjects as assigned.

The Program Analyst will also share responsibility for communicating TransitCenter’s initiatives through articles, blog posts, and social media.

TransitCenter’s philanthropic activities are effectively in start-up mode, so the Program Analyst will also be expected to play a hands-on role in operations and shoulder a portion of the organization’s administrative and clerical duties as assigned.

The position is based in New York City. The salary range is $55-70,000 commensurate with experience, with a competitive benefits package.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• Fundamental understanding of the principles underpinning sustainable urban mobility and an intuitive appreciation of the role that transportation plays in contributing to urban vitality. While technical knowledge of transportation can be a plus, it is not a requirement, and is secondary to natural curiosity and passion for the mission.
• Keen ability to scan developments in research or case studies, make connections across disciplines, and draw hypotheses and/or rigorously-supported conclusions.
• Research capacity to build a case through solid evidence. General knowledge of common primary and secondary sources for issues related to urbanization and transportation.
• A background in the methods and practice of civic action and/or philanthropy will be considered a plus.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills and a strategic communications mindset. Because our work intends to change or shift policy, design, practice, and culture, how something is communicated is nearly as important as what is being presented.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills will be useful in project implementation.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field related to urban planning, public policy, development, business, or economics; we strongly invite applicants with undergraduate degrees in the humanities, physical sciences or liberal arts to apply if they additionally possess a master’s degree or work experience related to urban transportation.
• At least 3-5 years of professional experience in an organization related to urban planning and development, civic activism, transportation, the environment, and/or public policy.
• Technical facility with at least one of the following will be favorable: Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, social media, or web publishing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to form connections with people of diverse backgrounds, flexibility and a sense of humor to accommodate the organization as it evolves.

To apply: 

Send a letter explaining your interest, a C.V., and one writing sample to dbragdon@transitcenter.orgby 12:00 Noon (EST, GMT -5) on January 25, 2015.

Image Courtesy: NVTC

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission seeks a resourceful, transportation professional skilled in bringing teams together across transportation agencies on technology projects and planning efforts. This position will work with NVTC’s jurisdictions which include Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church. Combine your skills in project management and knowledge of policy and planning to support regional efforts to expand capacity, improve connectivity and ensure high quality transit service in Northern Virginia. The Projects and Policy Manager will coordinate a regional working group on the New Electronic Payments Program, other contracts and state and federal grants as well as support regional planning activities.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The position combines planning, coordination and project management of contracts and state and federal grants for six jurisdictions and the region as a whole. Existing projects include bus rapid transit (BRT), Metrorail station improvements, light rail and other multi-modal facilities. The position will develop funding strategies for ongoing and new initiatives as well as preparing all phases of funding applications. The Projects and Policy Manager will facilitate regional working groups, participate in planning activities of other regional working groups, and support the work of Commission. This position reports to the Director of Programs and Policy.
The ideal candidate will have experience with local or state government, project management, and transit and related fields including communications, research & analysis, regional transportation planning, and federal contracts and grants management. This position requires a college degree and at least five years of relevant experience supported with strong references. Excellent written and oral communication, experience in facilitation/meeting management, and skills in spreadsheets and graphics are mandatory.

DUTIES INCLUDE
 Manage New Electronic Payments Program (NEPP) project including:
o Facilitating regional partners working group o Serving as Project Manager for the regional Technical Assistance contract
o Staffing grant applications and procurements
o Serving as the liaison with WMATA and their contractor for NEPP

 Manage other projects, which may include the following:
o Vanpool Alliance Program
o National Transit Database (NTD)

 Represent NVTC on regional studies & with other regional organizations
 Develop partnerships on collaborative research and technology efforts
 Manage and/or provide oversight for approved NVTC contracts
 Identify new projects and develop applications for state/federal funding
 Draft requests for proposals and invitations for bids for new NVTC projects, direct selection and procurement, and manage contractor performance and payments
 Work with the Executive Director and board members on special projects
 Serve as DBE compliance officer
 Prepare informative materials for commissioners, local staff, and regional partners on new and existing NVTC projects including memoranda, web content, and e-newsletter text
 Participate in ongoing strategic planning efforts and organize outreach efforts on behalf of NVTC and regional projects

SELECTION CRITERIA
Mandatory:
 Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, planning, transportation, economics, business management, civil engineering, or related field, plus five years of professionally progressive experience with project management in transit, planning, or a related field.
 Demonstrated interest in transit or rail project development, policy, or finance.
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
 Experience in meeting management and facilitation.
 Skills in graphics and spreadsheets.

Desirable:
 Advanced degree in economics, public sector management/administration, public policy, planning, technology policy and law or related field;
 Additional work experience beyond the minimum five year requirement;
 Experience with FTA grant and contract requirements highly desirable;
 Experience in writing talking points, preparing presentations, meeting agendas, and drafting reports, analyses, and recommendations for board action and comments to legislative and regulatory agencies;
 Experience with local or state government;
 Experience with developing and making presentations to elected officials, business leaders and community groups;
 Experience in designing and/or conducting community outreach efforts; and
 Experience working closely in a small team environment.

How to Apply
The job will remain open until filled. NVTC is an equal opportunity employer. Please provide a complete resume including your salary history and requirements, as well as a letter describing your qualifications and interest in this specific position. Please describe examples of your relevant experience, include links to or attachments of relevant work product:

Email: opportunities@nvtdc.org
Director, Programs and Policy
NVTC
2300 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 620
Arlington, VA 22201

ABOUT NVTC
NVTC has a small staff located in offices in the Court House area of Arlington. NVTC is a leading expert on performance metrics and transit finance, coordinates regional planning studies and evaluations, partners with other regional entities including the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. NVTC encompasses six cities and counties, Virginia Railway Express (a commuter rail service), six bus systems including MetroBus, Metrorail and the Vanpool Alliance.

SALARY and BENEFITS
Outstanding benefits are provided (life, health, dental, disability insurance; pension; pre-tax child care and medical cafeteria plan; free parking or parking cash-out; tax-free transit benefit). The competitive salary depends on experience and qualifications.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, work hours may vary based on business needs and may include evening and occasional weekend hours as necessary.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis. Interviews will be scheduled with those candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. The application process will close when the position has been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Photo by Elvert Barnes

The Special Projects Officer will assist with the implementation of Metro’s approved Public Participation Plan (PPP) to improve two way communication to boost inclusiveness of the public for all major initiatives.   This position will develop communications plans as well as plan and host opportunities for riders, the public, community organizations, advocacy groups, and special interest groups to provide feedback on major service, capital projects, and policy initiatives under consideration at Metro.

This position will schedule, coordinate and track public activities and ensure outreach is conducted in the appropriate service areas.  Traditionally hard-to-reach populations must be engaged.  This position will also serve as a brand ambassador for Metro at a wide variety of events and meetings, which includes setting up events, giving presentations, taking surveys and other communication strategies.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter and well organized. Has experience working with community groups and non-profits; understands minority, ethnic and religious populations and possesses a high level of cultural sensitivity.  Candidate also has excellent presentation skills, is comfortable in front of large and small crowds and has the ability to simplify complex information based on the audience.  Additional preferences include bilingual, flexible work schedule (evenings, weekends, and early mornings), valid driver’s license and ability to lift 25lbs.

www.wmata.com/careers  JOB ID: 141282

Google gets a taste of what it is like to ride the slow lane, literally. Volunteers from the group SumOfUs put Google buses in the slow lane to demand Google support Net Neutrality, and say no to Internet slow lanes around the world! It was a gentle nudge to the internet giant to come out in support of the Net Neutrality issue. Clever campaign indeed. The group’s website says SumOfUs is a global movement of consumers, investors, and workers all around the world, standing together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable and just path for our global economy.  Check out their call to action here: www.callongoogle.net

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