Reports to:  Field Organizing Coordinator

Hours: 20-25 hours/week

Seasonal: May-November

Rate: $23/hour

Transportation Alternatives (TA), New York City's advocate for walking, bicycling, and public transportation, seeks passionate, outgoing, team-oriented community organizers to serve as hourly canvassers for our TA Field Team program. This position is perfect for individuals pursuing a career in community organizing, political organizing, urban planning, or fields relating to transportation policy. 

Ambassadors work on the ground to organize and engage New Yorkers around safer and more equitable streets. TA Field Team Members will report to the Field Team Coordinator and work with staff and local activists to plan, prepare for, and attend outreach events around New York City. At the beginning of the program, Ambassadors will undergo training about TA’s advocacy campaigns and New York City government and policy as a means to prepare for work in the field.

Ambassadors will contribute to the Field Team’s annual publication, which is completed and published mid-season and shared during outreach efforts in the second half of the season.

TA’s Ambassador program has been in operation for over a decade and has successfully empowered tens of thousands of New Yorkers to support safer streets through public engagement activities in all five boroughs. 

Responsibilities:

• Connect with New Yorkers through tabling, canvassing, petitioning, and community events to spark conversations about safer, more equitable streets.

• Support local campaigns by sharing resources, uplifting community voices, and leading in-person outreach.

• Build relationships with neighborhood groups, small businesses, and local leaders.

• Distribute flyers and campaign materials in key community spaces.

• Work with the Field Team Coordinator to grow our base and strengthen local coalitions.

• Assist with rallies, membership events, and public actions that advance transportation justice.

• Attend weekly in-person team meetings every Tuesday from 10am–3pm (required), with flexible scheduling the rest of the week.

Qualified candidates will bring with them:

• Passion for making New York City’s streets safer and more accessible for walking, biking, and public transit.

• Strong communication skills and comfort engaging with diverse communities in person.

• Ability to work collaboratively to meet shared goals and deadlines.

• Flexible schedule with availability for mornings, evenings, weekends, and travel across all five boroughs.

• Interest in NYC’s infrastructure and willingness to share field insights to support the team’s annual publication.

Exceptional candidates will also bring with them:

• Multilingual skills (Spanish, Bangla, or Mandarin preferred)

• An understanding of the New York City and State political landscape

To Apply:

Please send a brief cover letter and resume to: job_applications@transalt.org with “Field Team Member” as the subject line

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.

Department: Families for Safe Streets - National

Job Reports to: National Director

Fully Remote

Contract Position

Salary Range (USD): $85,000 - $95,000

JOB OVERVIEW

Families for Safe Streets (FSS) was founded in 2014 by people whose  loved ones were killed or injured in crashes in New York City, or who themselves were seriously injured.  FSS is now a fast-growing national movement, representing over 1,100 families who have been impacted by traffic crashes. Together, FSS members transform their grief by telling personal stories of trauma and loss to push back on complacency and spark  policy and legislative change. No death or life-altering injury is acceptable. These are preventable crashes — not random "accidents” — and the problems that cause them have proven solutions. FSS has secured unprecedented wins – from lower speed limits to automated enforcement, and safer roadway design.  Emotional support is also an integral part of our model. We understand that the work of storytelling for change is emotionally demanding, and believe that no one should have to navigate these tragedies alone. 

Reporting to the National Director, the Communications and Policy Director will play an integral role in the growth of Families for Safe Streets nationally by guiding and communicating our ambitious policy agenda and effectively elevating the stories of those who have been most impacted by deadly transportation policies.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Communications:

• The Communications and Policy Director will have a broad array of internal and external communications responsibilities, including advancing our campaigns, strengthening our organization, and building our movement. Your charge will be to work with our volunteers and partners to build and undertake communications strategies that empower our members and promote safer streets.

• Duties include being a camera-ready spokesperson, leading media trainings for FSS members, managing and growing our social media channels, taking and directing media inquiries, updating our website, writing and issuing press releases, growing and managing a national and local press list, managing the FSS community hub on Geneva, planning and holding media events, developing and executing communications and PR plans for reports and events, working with volunteers to elevate their stories, and writing and proofreading our regular newsletters and other materials. 

• Create broadly usable communications tools and toolkits for FSS Chapters and partner organizations.

Policy:

• Shape FSS’ policy agenda as part of the Families for Safe Streets-National executive committee, working collaboratively to authoritatively set - and defend - our legislative priorities and issue-stances.

• Coordinate with key influencers, including government agencies, other non-profit organizations, and relevant stakeholders, to build support and win policy reforms.

• Oversee the development of and produce  reports, opinion pieces, memos, testimony, maps, and other public documents that make the case for FSS’ policy priorities.

• Create broadly usable policy tools and toolkits for FSS Chapters and partner organizations.

• Utilize up-to-date knowledge on safe-street policies and best practices from the U.S. and around the world.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working in City, State, or National politics, on public relations campaigns, with a wide range of media. 

• Must be a compelling writer and have very strong public speaking skills.

• Strong and concise writing style for non-technical audience.

• Skills in critical analysis of data and facts, including experience in Excel, statistics, research and policy analysis.

• Advanced strategic thinking and ability to set organizational priorities and manage a compelling communications calendar.

• Demonstrated management experience working with victim advocates and volunteers is a plus.

• General knowledge of principles of sustainable community planning, civic engagement and complete streets preferred.

• Above average attention to detail and comfort working in a fast-paced environment; flexibility and adaptability are a must.

• Ability to travel occasionally and participate in evening and weekend engagements, as well as late nights and early mornings will be a part of this position.

• Knowledge of Spanish and FSS’ core issues is a plus.

• Savvy and inventive with traditional media, social media, and digital communities is a plus.

• Basic design skills in Canva and GIS mapping experience is a plus.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 6-8 years experience in communications, policy development, program coordination, advocacy campaigns or political outreach

TO APPLY:

Please send a resume and a cover letter to job_applications@transalt.org with “FSS-National: Communications and Policy Director” in the subject line.

Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets are 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.