Transportation Program Director

Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) is seeking a dynamic, impactful, and collaborative advocate to direct our Transportation Program.

The Transportation Program Director leads OEC’s work to advance a transportation system that equitably reduces climate pollution, is truly multi-model, and supports thriving and resilient communities. In the near-term, the position helps manage a coalition in support of the Transportation Package in the 2025 Oregon legislative session, with a focus on accelerating transportation electrification and supporting investments to increase access to public transit and active transportation (e.g., bike, walk, roll). The Transportation Program Director conducts research and stakeholder outreach to inform policy solutions, help educate decision-makers including legislators and the Oregon Transportation Commission, and aid individuals, families and businesses in accessing clean and just transportation options. The Transportation Program Director analyzes and makes recommendations for how state, federal and local funding options can accelerate progress; serves on state agency advisory bodies; and works collaboratively with public interest, local government, community-based, business sector, labor, health, and other stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate has a strong grasp on public policy and effective advocacy. You enjoy working in a collaborative space to advance an equitable, safe, and affordable transportation system for all. You understand the importance of building strong relationships and creative, collaborative strategies to improve transportation funding to expand and sustain equitable, climate-smart transportation options. As a strong communicator, you are confident when providing oral testimony and written comments. You are passionate about engaging partners to positively influence policy decisions on state and local transportation. You understand how transportation interacts with climate, health, housing, and economic opportunity. You want to reinvent transportation choices to help communities thrive while eliminating pollution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Policy/Project Development and Implementation; Advocacy (~40%)

• Develops policy proposals and recommendations to advance program goals; crafts and implements campaign strategy plans to achieve strong policy outcomes

• Ensures strong implementation of existing transportation policies through regulatory advocacy and oversight, strategic communications and outreach, and (where needed) defense against legal challenges  

• Formulates projects to advance program goals; develops and executes project implementation 

• Ensures that policies and projects are evaluated for equity implications

• Investigates and analyzes issues germane to program; reviews relevant professional materials and communications on a continuing basis

• Prepares and presents public comments and testimony; lobbies Oregon Legislature and other elected officials; coordinates with legislative director to inform advocacy strategy

• Monitors and weighs in on administrative and regulatory processes that relate to program goals; serves on statewide advisory councils, including agency rule-making committees 

• Determines and communicates the organization’s position on external policy proposals that relate to our goals 

Relationship and Coalition Building (~30%)

• Cultivates and maintains collaborative relationships with key interest groups and individuals, including policymakers and agency staff 

• Engages authentically with culturally specific and community-of-color led organizations, organizations representing rural interests, and other organizations that bring a social and environmental justice perspective

• Fosters alliances; develops, manages, and participates in diverse and influential stakeholder coalitions and networks in support of program goals

• Maintains and expands relationships with regional and national organizations

Outreach and Education (~20%)

• Builds broad public support for program goals and project objectives

• Produces reports, fact sheets, opinion pieces, toolkits, and other communication tools to advance program objectives, with support from our marketing and communications team

• Engages in public speaking to diverse audiences

• Represents OEC in the media, with support from our Communications Director

• Serves as an ambassador for OEC, building OEC’s public presence

• Educates and engages OEC members and supporters through website communications, electronic and written communications, and personal interactions

• Occasionally develops and implements public education and “things you can do” campaigns

• Occasionally develops on-the-ground projects that promote clean and just transportation

Fundraising and Organizational Health (~10%)

• In collaboration with our development team, writes and reviews program-related grant proposals and progress reports 

• Occasionally participates in fundraising meetings and events with donors and foundations

• Participates in organizational budget setting, staff meetings and retreats

• Actively supports co-workers

Qualifications:

Required Experience and Education

• Minimum three years of professional experience in public policy development and/or advocacy 

• Experience promoting and/or working knowledge of transportation decarbonization, transportation electrification and/or multi-modal benefits

• Bachelor’s degree

Required Skills, Abilities and Qualities

• Proven ability to conduct policy research and analysis, bring together diverse stakeholders, and develop strategic campaigns to secure policy and other programmatic goals

• Keen problem-solving skills and ability to conduct long-term visioning and planning

• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects and deadlines while keeping a “big picture” strategic view 

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills; persuasive public speaking and presentation skills; ability to clearly translate complex policy issues and tailor messages to specific audiences

• Demonstrated commitment to expanding cultural awareness and advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization and as part of programmatic work; a commitment to continued learning and working against institutional and structural racism

• Entrepreneurial approach; ethic of continuous improvement, self-motivation and initiative

• Detail-oriented with high standards for accuracy

• Ability to work independently 

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; an eagerness to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment; flexible attitude

• A passion for OEC’s mission and the environment

• Energized to support Oregon Environmental Council’s Values and Beliefs and workplace culture as described in our Team Charter

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information

• Ability to travel to Salem and occasionally statewide

Desirable Additional Qualifications

• Expertise in transportation policy, funding mechanisms, and/or project development

• Existing relationships with Oregon decision-makers and stakeholders, including elected officials, businesses, state agencies, community leaders, and advocacy organizations

• Experience working in a nonprofit setting with a mission-driven staff and board

• Relevant advanced degree or equivalent work experience

• Valid driver’s license (for statewide travel)

OEC offers a collaborative, team-oriented, flexible, family-friendly workplace. Excellent benefits include:

• Generous paid leave, including 4 weeks of vacation (3 in first year), Fridays off in August, 11 fixed holidays, 4 personal days, and 12 sick days annually
• 401k contribution (up to 6% after the first year)
• Employer-paid medical and dental coverage for employee, with significant employer support for dependents’ coverage