Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.
&nbsp;

DSC05758

About us

Throughout the year, we host a number of in-person and virtual events covering topics related to public health, social equity, and climate resilience.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

DSC05138

Events

Contact us

Subscribe

DONATE

Find out how you can join the movement. 
&nbsp;

Get involved

Social Icons

Facebook

Social Icons (1)

Smart growth is an approach to community design that connects housing, transportation, and land use to create healthy, prosperous, and resilient neighborhoods.
&nbsp;

Learn about smart growth

Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

DCIM102MEDIADJI_0180.JPG

Cover Letter

Resume

LUD Program Manager

Browse now

We offer a library of case studies, videos, and reports to support policymakers, practitioners, and advocates interested in advancing smart growth.
&nbsp;

DSC03241

Knowledge hub

Our work

Impact

News & insights

Resources

View event schedule

SmartGrowth-News&Insights-Image05

DSC06844

Economic prosperity

Housing and development

Transportation and Complete Streets

Rural smart growth

Climate resilience

Overview

Arts & Culture

Center for Zoning Solutions

Complete Streets

LOCUS

National Brownfields Coalition

Smart Growth Roundtable

Smart Growth Network (SGN)

State Smart Transportation Initiative

Transportation for America

Return to homepage

Rectangle 4345 (2)

Even the best-planned cities have a few hidden alleys.

Logo

<a href="https://t4america.org/">Transportation for America (T4America)</a>—a program of Smart Growth America—is seeking a highly skilled individual with deep knowledge, experience, and interest in federal transportation policy development and state/local implementation to help lead the organization’s policy work—with an immediate focus on the ongoing federal reauthorization process. 
The ideal candidate will be: intimately familiar with T4America’s three priorities and a credible public voice for them, experienced on Capitol Hill and with transportation reauthorization, a strategic thinker who can create and execute a policy strategy, well connected to transportation policy and practice, able to build productive relationships (with Hill offices of any party, allies, and other stakeholders), confident in leading and developing a team of policy staff, full of creative ideas for research and other content to advance our mission.

samuel-schroth-L8lbuhnSPD8-unsplash

<a href="https://t4america.org/">Transportation for America (T4America)</a>—a program of Smart Growth America—is seeking a highly skilled individual with deep knowledge, experience, and interest in federal transportation policy development and state/local implementation to help lead the organization’s policy work—with an immediate focus on the ongoing federal reauthorization process. 
The ideal candidate will be: intimately familiar with T4America’s three priorities and a credible public voice for them, experienced on Capitol Hill and with transportation reauthorization, a strategic thinker who can create and execute a policy strategy, well connected to transportation policy and practice, able to build productive relationships (with Hill offices of any party, allies, and other stakeholders), confident in leading and developing a team of policy staff, full of creative ideas for research and other content to advance our mission.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to <a href="mailto:jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org">jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org</a> with “T4America Policy Lead” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please indicate how you’ve learned of this opportunity.

Advocate for <a href="http://t4america.org/platform/principles">T4America’s priorities</a>: 
<ul>
<li>Understand, support, and craft a strategy to advance the organization’s three priorities: repairing existing infrastructure, prioritizing safety over speed, and investing in the rest of our transportation system.</li>
<li>Develop proposals for legislative, regulatory, and other executive actions at all levels of government to implement these priorities. 
Track legislation and craft the strategy and tactics for effective advocacy.</li>
</ul>
Lead on reauthorization
<ul>
<li>Build on existing legislative strategy for surface reauthorization and develop and execute on new potential strategies.</li>
<li>Build relationships with policymakers and partners at all levels of government to create champions for our priorities.</li>
<li>Convene our members, allies, and informal partners to build a base of support for our policy agenda.</li>
</ul>
Communicate externally
<ul>
<li>Follow, analyze, and communicate about transportation trends and how they impact T4America’s priorities.</li>
<li>Write and produce engaging content for all channels in collaboration with the T4America communications team.</li>
<li>Identify research opportunities to further our mission and advance our three priorities and broader set of policy strategies.</li>
<li>Oversee the development and drafting of reports, and contribute to them as needed.</li>
<li>Speak on behalf of T4America and its coalition, including workshops, conferences, and other events (some travel included).</li>
</ul>
Manage people, projects, and provide technical assistance
<ul>
<li>Direct and supervise the policy work of the organization, including the management and development of our policy team.</li>
<li>Help T4America produce and develop unique content.</li>
<li>Manage a range of complicated projects with competing deadlines.</li>
<li>Support occasional technical assistance, serving as an instructor on policy-related issues and best practices in the field.</li>
<li>Apply Smart Growth America’s approach to development across projects and collaborate with team members to advance organizational priorities.</li>
</ul>

Key Responsibilities

Required Knowledge and Skills:
<ul>
<li>A commitment to the organization’s priorities and the ability to describe a vision for achieving them.</li>
<li>Minimum of five years experience working in the transportation arena or a closely related policy field.</li>
<li>Ability to analyze and spot emerging trends in transportation.</li>
<li>Strong familiarity with Capitol Hill offices, including relevant committees for reauthorization.</li>
<li>Knowledge of the legislative process at multiple levels of government and the ability to think strategically and work across party lines.</li>
<li>Project management skills and experience.</li>
<li>The ability to strategically prioritize workload and complete multiple tasks and high volume of work, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.</li>
<li>Excellent written/verbal skills, with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.</li>
<li>Comfort working in a collaborative team environment, good interpersonal skills, a willingness to manage and develop our policy team, and experience working with a diverse range of people.</li>
</ul>
Preferred Knowledge and Skills:
<ul>
<li>An advanced degree in public policy, political science, planning, or other related field.</li>
<li>Experience in a Capitol Hill office or committee.</li>
<li>Experience working within a state or local transportation agency at the local, MPO, or state level.</li>
<li>Experience in the development or implementation of a previous federal reauthorization.</li>
<li>Experience advancing the broader vision of smart growth: integrated transportation, land use, and housing policy solutions.</li>
<li>Staff management skills and experience.</li>
<li>Experience in fundraising and in managing grants.</li>
</ul>

Knowledge & Skills

Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $95,000-$120,000. A candidate for the top of this range would need to have more than five years of experience, specific legislative or transportation agency experience, and more of the preferred knowledge and skills listed above. Benefits include fully paid medical insurance, optional dental and vision coverage, 401k contributions, life and disability insurance, three weeks of vacation in the first year, and 12 paid holidays.

Compensation

This position reports to the AVP of Transportation and is based in Washington, DC. SGA staff work in the office at 1350 Eye St. NW, Tuesdays-Thursdays. No relocation assistance is offered at this time.

Office Schedule

Please send a cover letter and resume to <a href="mailto:jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org">jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org</a> with “T4America Policy Lead” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please indicate how you’ve learned of this opportunity. Please include at least two writing samples of any length that demonstrate your transportation policy experience, communicate complex ideas clearly to a broad audience, and/or make a persuasive argument.

How to Apply

Smart Growth America and Transportation for America are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds, including candidates of color. 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.

Commitment to building a diverse team

About Smart Growth America
Smart Growth America envisions a country where no matter where you live, or who you are, you can enjoy living in a place that is healthy, prosperous, and resilient. We empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize this vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity.
About Transportation for America
Transportation for America is a national nonprofit made up of local, regional, and state leaders who seek a transportation system that safely, affordably, and conveniently connects people of all means and ability to jobs, services, and opportunity through multiple modes of travel.

T4America Policy Lead (Senior Policy Manager or Policy Director)

More Information

Key Responsibilities

Knowledge & Skills

Compensation

Office Schedule

How to Apply

Commitment to building a diverse team

About SGA and T4America

Subscribe to our newsletter

Livable places. Healthy people. Shared prosperity.