LINK Houston seeks Director of Community Engagement

LINK Houston is a non-profit organization advocating for a robust and equitable transportation network so that all people can reach opportunity. We envision a world in which all people in Houston can easily access not only jobs, but also educational experiences, medical appointments, grocery stores, parks and greenspaces, and other important destinations, regardless of mode of transportation. We move ideas into action through community engagement, research, and shaping public policy. Through our advocacy activities, we specifically aim to ensure quality mobility options; improve transportation access to affordable housing; and keep communities united in the face of highway and other transportation infrastructure developments. Across our work, LINK Houston maintains a focus on equity and climate justice in the processes and outcomes of transportation-related decisions.

Specific Responsibilities and Reporting Relationship

We seek a highly qualified professional whose values align with the organization’s:

• Commitment to transportation equity, accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and climate justice.
• Enthusiasm for pursuing equitable transportation and environmentally-just infrastructure for all.
• Personal, lived experience with multi-modal transportation options other than driving alone.

The successful candidate will lead the organization’s coalition- and community-building around different forms of transportation and mobility and the intersection with housing, education, and quality of life. They must be deeply committed to enhancing equitable transportation options across the Houston region and possess a minimum of three years of experience leading advocacy, community engagement, or coalition building efforts. Deep understanding of the funding streams, regulatory environment, design, and urban planning framework controlling transportation and mobility issues within the region is required. The Director of Community Engagement reports directly to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

The Director of Community Engagement will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s connection in community groups, in coordination with our communications and policy and planning teams as well as directly through meetings, coalition, and capacity building. The Director of Community Engagement will develop partnerships in line with the organization’s mission and goal to promote safe, accessible, multi-modal, and sustainable transportation. They will embrace community based participatory research principles and democratic organizing methods, as part of understanding that research and advocacy without the alignment of community furthers the mentality of colonialism, exploitation, and extraction that LINK Houston fully resists.

The Director of Community Engagement will be in the community driving LINK Houston’s mission forward and looking to the community to help guide our priorities.

Requirements and Skills

• Inclusive Community Engagement Strategies
  • Create, draft, and manage engagement in communities that meets the strategic guidelines and goals for the organization.
  • Participate in strategic planning and implementation.
  • Record of driving community outreach in campaigns for social change.
  • Committed to transportation equity, accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and climate justice.
  • Analytical thinker who can effectively train staff and volunteers on narratives that incorporate diverse community needs and policy around transportation, mobility, affordable housing, and climate justice.
  • Embraces community involvement in campaigns .
  • Manages information flow to and from target communities.
  • Enthusiastic about ensuring equitable transportation and environmentally-just infrastructure spending for all.
• Coalition Building
  • Identify, establish, and maintain relationships with various organizations and decision-makers throughout at every level of government; utilize those relationships to enhance and educate key audiences on- policy initiatives or goals.
  • Manage and build volunteer and training programs in line with our core values and facilitate, convene, or aid community groups engaged on our issues.
  • Align grassroots priorities with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Supervise and collaborate with – staff, government entities and a broad array of peer non-profits and coalitions around the importance of our key campaigns.
  • Advocacy skills to engage with elected officials and agency staff
• Supporting and Communicating Transportation Equity
  • Work closely with the Executive Director and Director of Communications to frame narratives and publish written materials.
  • Experience in promoting transit-oriented or community development.
  • A strong understanding of the regulatory and funding environment and design manual for public right of way.
  • Strong organizational skills and demonstrated understanding of frameworks to manage multi-month or multi-year campaigns.
  • Ability to manage volunteers and campaigns.
  • Ability to craft clear messages that explain local, state, or federal policies to the public and the specific interests of targeted communities.
  • Strong public speaking ability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred but not required.

Core Competencies

The Director of Community Engagement will demonstrate competencies in the development and implementation of an organizational community engagement plan, managing staff and volunteers, driving community support for multi-modal transportation options, effective communication with a variety of audiences, and managing time and activities. They will also be comfortable working independently, including proactively identifying opportunities for LINK Houston to pursue our mission.

Location

WeWork Downtown

609 Main St. FL 25

Houston, TX 77002

• Normal business hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. This role requires work outside of regular business hours on nights and weekends to participate in community meetings and activities. ***subject to change***
• In coordination with management, a flexible schedule is encouraged to maintain a healthy work life balance.
• Travel: Occasional travel may be required.
• Telework: LINK Houston is a semi-remote organization. Employees may be required to report to the office on specific days or for specific periods. ***subject to change***

Salary and Benefits

The Director of Community Engagement is a full-time employee with access to the benefits described in the LINK Houston Employee Manual, including:

• Healthcare insurance for the employee with 80% of the basic insurance costs paid by LINK Houston.
• Dental, vision, life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance for the employee with 100% of the basic insurance costs paid by LINK Houston.
• Fifteen (15) holidays annually, including two (2) floating holidays and five (5) winter break days in December.
• Initial fifteen (15) days (120 hours) of paid time off with an accrual rate of 4.6 hours per pay period.
• Simple IRA/retirement available with an employer match of 2% or as stated in the company program.
• METRO fare and Bikeshare membership for commuting and transportation to/from engagements on behalf of LINK Houston.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Cell phone reimbursement of $25 per month.

The salary range for the Director of Community Engagement is $100,000 to $110,000. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample as a single PDF file to info@linkhouston.org. Please list “Director of Community Engagement Application” on the subject line. No phone calls. This position is open until filled.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

LINK Houston is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. LINK Houston centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in its internal and external work and practices.