Available Positions
Three positions are currently open: Executive Director, Queens Organizer, and Part Time Canvasser
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Riders Alliance seeks a dynamic and passionate Executive Director to provide vision, leadership, and overall strategic direction as the organization enters its pivotal next phase. The Executive Director will work with staff and members to determine a new set of powerful advocacy campaigns; oversee the organization’s fundraising to ensure financial stability and growth; and continue to forge relationships with key stakeholders and allies in order to bring better transit service to New York City’s millions of daily riders.
This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative leader to shape the future of one of New York’s leading advocacy organizations, engage in work that will improve millions of people’s lives, and oversee a respected team that is eager to build on its strong recent work.
The Riders Alliance has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this hire. Details about the position and instructions for applying are available here.
QUEENS ORGANIZER
The Riders Alliance seeks to hire an energetic organizer to build a grassroots movement of public transit riders in Queens. Riders Alliance has multiple active campaigns – for better bus service, successful implementation of congestion pricing to fix the subway, and more – and the organizer will be responsible for building a powerful base of riders in Queens to advance and win them.
The Queens Organizer will work on RA’s top priority bus and subway campaigns and also participate in conversations to shape Riders Alliance’s future goals. They will also ensure our Queens members participate fully in those processes. The organizer will manage relationships across the borough and will travel around Queens and to our Midtown office regularly.
The Queens Organizer will:
- Recruit transit riders from across Queens, develop a leadership team and a regular meeting structure, and engage them in our campaigns;
- Train riders to tell their stories, recruit others, and develop a deeper understanding of the structures and politics shaping transit in New York City;
- Work with elected officials and press, and use creative tactics to build public support for better transit;
- Manage relationships throughout the borough, ensuring that our membership is diverse and representative of public transit riders;
- Work collaboratively with other Riders Alliance staff as well as allied organizations to drive a shared strategy when necessary.
Qualifications:
- Enthusiasm for people and for community organizing as a method for making change;
- Experience working on policy, legislative or political campaigns, especially developing and executing actions in coordination with members;
- Ability to identify potential campaign issues, especially in low-income neighborhoods;
- Ability to quickly build relationships, to listen to and persuade people, and to engage people effectively around a common goal;
- Strong communication skills, including public speaking and writing;
- Interest in and understanding of New York government and politics, especially (but not limited to) transit;
- Ability to communicate in a language other than English is desired;
- A demonstrated commitment to the values we believe public transit embodies; inclusion, democracy, opportunity, and equity.
This is a full-time salaried position with benefits.
How to apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to Daniel Coates at daniel@ridersny.org with “Queens Organizer” in the subject.
The Riders Alliance is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for the position.
PART TIME CANVASSER
The Canvasser, working under the active supervision of the Deputy Director and the Canvass Director, is responsible for engaging with community members and cultivating relationships with potential volunteers through surveys, signed petitions, and events. The Canvasser collects survey data for various grassroots campaigns.
The Canvasser will:
- Engage community members in transit campaigns in targeted communities in person and on the phone;
- Build membership and grass-roots community participation for the organization;
- Record contacts made, contact results, and information collected in an organized manner;
- Ensure accuracy and usability of data and information collected.
Qualifications:
- Previous experience with canvassing, phone banking, or community organizing, or equivalent educational experience.
- Preferred: ability to fluently speak language(s) other than English.
- Preferred: familiarity with communities and community politics in New York City.
Pay is hourly and compensation for travel is included. Scheduling and hours are flexible.
How to apply:
Send your resume, a brief description of yourself and your previous experience, and your schedule availability to Kristin Wright, at admin@ridersny.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The Riders Alliance is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for the position.