Transportation Campaigns Manager

NC Conservation Network (NCCN) is looking for an organized and team-oriented advocate to be our new Transportation Campaigns Manager. Working as part of the NC Conservation Network team, and in partnership with dozens of allied organizations across the state, the Transportation Campaigns Manager leads our advocacy on transportation and state-level land use policies. This Spring, the NC Department of Transportation (NC DOT) finalized the Clean Transportation Plan, which spotlights the need to reduce vehicle miles traveled and to rapidly electrify North Carolina’s transportation sector to reach climate emissions goals. Beyond emissions reductions, North Carolina needs sustained progress in transportation and land use policy to build a healthy, sustainable economy that works for all residents of the state.

Objective
The Transportation Campaigns Manager coordinates coalition workgroups and advances advocacy campaigns through policy writing, strategic advice, legislative monitoring, and direct lobbying of decision makers. The Manager works to ensure that policy solutions advance equity and a sustainable economy as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Much of the work requires ongoing relationships with state legislators, staff in the Governor’s Office, and officials in state agencies, as well as with partners in local government and with advocacy organizations across the state. The Manager reports directly to NCCN’s Policy Director. The position is based in Raleigh with occasional travel around and beyond the state. Hours during the legislative session can be non-traditional.

Location
Our office is located in downtown Raleigh, NC. NCCN operates on a hybrid schedule, with staff expected to be in the office or working in the field twice a week, and eligible to work from home the remainder of the time. NOTE: NCCN is continually re-assessing the hybrid work environment (with input from staff), and expectations may change going forward based on collective feedback and the organization’s needs.

Responsibilities

Develop and participate in coalition campaigns on transportation and land use policy
The Transportation Campaigns Manager actively designs and participates in policy campaigns to promote the electrification of public and private vehicle fleets, re-orientation of state transportation priorities, and reform of the state transportation system to better serve all North Carolinians. As a related but secondary area of focus, the Manager advocates for or against state-level bills and proposed rules that shape land use patterns and local planning authority. In the service of policy campaigns, the Manager conducts legal and policy research, drafts comment letters, develops strategy, drafts factsheets and talking points, and cultivates relationships with decision makers.

Host policy advocacy working groups
The Manager hosts meetings for standing workgroups of transportation advocates. Depending on the pace of campaigns, these meetings can occur weekly to quarterly. The Manager ensures that working groups are inclusive, efficient, and support a high level of trust and coordination among participating advocates. In addition, the Manager participates in workgroups hosted by partners.

Coordinate with NCCN colleagues
The Manager collaborates with NCCN colleagues who are tracking environmental legislation, helping shape expenditures of state and federal funding streams, and working to advance environmental equity. In addition, the Manager works closely with NCCN’s communications and organizing teams, drafting materials that are revised and shared with journalists and with NCCN’s activists and partners across the state.

Safeguard affiliate interests
The Manager works with NCCN affiliates on an individual basis to alert them to developments in transportation and growth policy, to help them design their advocacy strategies, and to introduce them to contacts in state agencies or other advocacy groups.

Serve in stakeholder meetings
The Manager periodically represents NCCN in legislative or agency-initiated meetings that include state and local officials and staff and other stakeholders. During these initiatives, the Manager is responsible for briefing NCCN affiliates and partners on the progress of negotiations and representing their needs in the process.

Qualifications

Critical Job Skills/Experience
• JD, or MA in city/regional planning or transportation planning
• Substantive knowledge of transportation policy, land use planning
• Experience or familiarity with strategies to advance environmental equity
• Ability to lead working groups and manage multiple work streams concurrently
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong writing skills

Preferred
• Experience with or close knowledge of North Carolina politics
• Experience working with state level advocacy organizations
• Familiarity with NC DOT’s strategic prioritization program
Salary/Benefits

The starting salary range for this position is $65,000 – $75,000, commensurate with applicable work experience. Employment with NC Conservation Network includes a full benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and retirement, as well as generous paid vacation, sick, and holiday time. Health, dental, and vision premiums are covered at 100% for employees and 50% for dependents.

NCCN works with a population that is diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, class, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, and physical and mental ability. We believe in the need for and the value of this diversity as part of any part of society. It is the policy of NCCN to work actively to build and maintain a program, a staff, and a Board that reflect this belief.

NCCN is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, sex, gender identity, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at NCCN will be based solely on merit, qualifications, and skillset.

Application Instructions

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter by Friday, June 9, 2023.

Please address the cover letter to Grady McCallie, Policy Director, NC Conservation Network, 234 Fayetteville St, 5th floor, Raleigh, NC 27601, and send the email to grady@ncconservationnetwork.org with the subject Attn: Transportation Campaigns Manager Position.

We will request a writing sample at a later stage of the interview process.