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We’re Hiring: Policy Catalyst

The Policy Catalyst leads Trailnet’s strategic policy and advocacy agenda through coalition-building, community outreach and government relations, and advising on organizational effectiveness and strategic planning. The Policy Catalyst works on initiatives and policies that align with Trailnet’s values and position Trailnet within strategic partnerships and projects that advance Trailnet’s mission. The Policy Catalyst highlights the important role of Trailnet as a regional leader and advocate that advances safer streets for all. 

The Policy Catalyst collaborates with managers and directors to identify and recommend strategic policy pushes, campaigns, and messaging that sustains and builds upon Trailnet’s position as a leading advocate for safer streets. The catalyst leads the process of building internal teams and external relationships necessary to assure success. The Policy Catalyst works under the direction of the CEO and works closely with other staff for support and collaboration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Coalition Building & Management – 40%

  • Mobilizes, leads and supports coalitions to achieve advocacy priorities and strategic plan objectives.
  •  Represents and manages Trailnet’s interests in policy coalitions:
    • Hands Free Missouri
    • Missourians for Responsible Transportation
    • St. Louis City Community Mobility Committee
    • St. Louis County Complete Streets Peer Advisory Group
    • Social Policy Election and Accountability Collaborative
    • Community Builders Network
  • Recruits and trains interns, volunteers, and community advocates as appropriate
  • Works with the Director of Programs to concept programs; build budget and revenue targets; and assemble appropriate staff teams to implement high impact projects and initiatives
  • Collaborates with communications staff and consultants as appropriate
  • Cultivates collaborations with organizations and movements whose values intersect

Government Relations & Community Outreach – 40%

  • Works with the Director of Programs, CEO, and stakeholders to develop Trailnet’s advocacy agenda, designing and implementing advocacy campaigns, and assuring and documenting advocacy strategies
  • Coordinates Trailnet’s efforts around a needs-based policy approach to traffic safety, leveraging Trailnet’s crash report and local advocates as support, and coordinating a two year messaging campaign to realize campaign success
  • Manages relationships with local, state and federal government officials and staff. (Includes semi-frequent travel to Jefferson City and limited travel to Washington D.C.)
  • Develops communication campaigns with staff and contractors to heighten public awareness of Trailnet’s policy priorities acting as the primary communications contact for policy efforts
  • Serves as a leader in time-sensitive policy and advocacy situations by advising the CEO on how to address issues and executes a messaging strategy

Organization Effectiveness & Strategic Planning – 20%

  • Assists CEO in the creation of organizational strategic plans
  • Collaborates with leadership team and staff on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Environmental Justice practices to advance the full integration of Antiracism practices in Trailnet’s work
  • Supports Trailnet Board of Directors subcommittee on advocacy 
  • Works with the leadership team to identify new funding sources, pitch projects to potential funders, and develop appropriate relationships
  • Assures alignment with the organization’s mission and vision and Policy Principals
  • Assists with best practice education through workshops and presentations

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • STL City Community Mobility Committee
  • STL County Peer Advisory Committee 
  • Energy Foundation Project Lead
  • Missouri Foundation for Health – Project Lead
  • Missourians for Responsible Transportation and Hands Free Missouri Coalition
  • Collaborates with Planning Program staff on Annual Crash Report

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a minimum of 4 years or more of project management, policy/ legislation  and leadership experience. A Masters in Public Health, Urban Planning, Public Policy, or related field is preferred, but not required. Strong candidates will have experience in urban planning, community development/organizing, public health, or public policy
  • Knowledge and familiarity of bicycle, transit and pedestrian facility design, urban design, and urban planning best practices, local government, federal grants, and lobbying restrictions for 501(C)3
  • Ability to manage multiple projects with differing deadlines
  • Ability to think strategically, including systems-thinking and long-term initiative development
  • Ability to work independently and manage self and partners toward goals, while being a genuine “team player”
  • Ability to work in a fast-moving and at times intense environment
  • Must be highly computer literate – Google Workplace, Microsoft Office required
  • Must interface with a wide variety of stakeholders from elected officials to community residents
  • Must be comfortable facilitating meetings, making presentations, and speaking in public settings
  • Excellent writing skills

COMPENSATION  

Salary range is $47,000-65,000

Salary is commensurate with experience– Salary is negotiable for qualified candidates with relevant (direct) experience exceeding 10 years.

This is a full-time, FLSA exempt position

The position is designed for full time 40hrs/week. 

Benefits include medical insurance and dental insurance, life insurance and long-term disability insurance.

New employees accrue 16 days of paid time off per year with 9 paid holidays.

Other benefits include flexible hours, a casual work environment, and an office located in downtown St. Louis, a short walk from MetroLink. A company car is available for some business-related local and regional travel. Free membership to the Downtown Bike Station. 

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Trailnet is committed to support diversity and equal opportunity in its services, administration, and employment, as well as research and activities. We strive to foster a working environment that values contributions from team members including those based on race, color, creed, gender, faith background, culture, sexual orientation, sexual identity, mental disabilities, physical disabilities, or veteran status. We work with a wide range of external partners and stakeholders, and we seek candidates that are committed to their own cultural competency. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are encouraged to apply.

WORK CONDITIONS

  • Office environment with work-from-home options and flexibility. For virtual work, a high-speed internet is required.
  • The Policy Catalyst will have a presence at 5-10 outdoor events in the bistate region, including community events, bike rides and community rides throughout Spring, Summer, and Fall. 
  • Fundraising and outreach events take place at a variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
  • Physical Responsibilities
  • Transport up to 25 lbs. of tabling or outreach materials to events
  • Work at a computer
  • Staff tables at outreach events

All employees are required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to hr@trailnet.org

For questions, email Taylor March: taylor@trailnet.org