Advocacy Coordinator

~Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), a nonprofit organization with more than 160,000 members and supporters, is the nation's largest trails organization dedicated to building a nation connected by trails.

• We reimagine public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Founded in 1986, RTC’s national office is located in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
  • Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and on social media @railstotrails.

Position Overview

RTC is hiring an Advocacy Coordinator to help us unite our movement to take advantage of an unprecedented convergence of cultural and political opportunities to elevate trails and other walking and biking infrastructure as essential public investments.

The Advocacy Coordinator will support RTC’s federal, state and local advocacy efforts for policies and public funding sources that will create trail and active transportation networks to connect the nation. The Advocacy Coordinator will be responsible for a broad array of outreach, research, writing and logistical duties in support of our agenda to supplement and grow federal transportation programs such as Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails; improve federal and state implementation of active transportation programs; and advance a variety of state laws that aid trails, walking and biking.

• Job Location: This position is located in RTC’s national office in downtown Washington, D.C., and is easily accessible from Metro’s red, orange, silver and blue lines. However, due to COVID-19 staff are telecommuting.

Job Duties

The Advocacy Coordinator will be an integral contributor to the full array of RTC policy activities and will work closely with our policy team and colleagues in other departments. Tasks will vary over time based on organizational needs, requiring the successful candidate to demonstrate a broad skillset and an ability to juggle a variety of functions at any given time. Key duties include: 

• Recruiting, organizing and engaging organizational partners: RTC has a variety of local, state and national partner organizations. The Advocacy Coordinator will have direct contact with these partners to build closer working relationships and engage them in RTC advocacy activities such as sign-on drives, online actions, media initiatives, meetings and events.
  • The Coordinator also will maintain accessible records of partnerships, correlated to political opportunities, to enable RTC to maximize benefits to the organization and movement from these relationships.
• Research: Engage in time-sensitive, practical research tasks such as gathering political intelligence about key decision-makers, analyzing policy threats and opportunities, documenting trends related to trails and active transportation, and updating or relating the ‘case’ for investing in trails to specific decision-making contexts.
• Write: Prepare internal memos and draft external communications such as fact sheets, news and grassroots alerts.
• Meetings and events: Play a central role in organizing and executing meetings and events, and coordinating coalition activities, virtual and in-person, including taking a lead responsibility for scheduling and logistics.
• Legislative support: Prepare materials for federal and state advocacy visits. Broadly disseminate information to Congressional offices. Attend hearings on behalf of RTC.

Desired Background & Personal Attributes

Ideal candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:

• BA in a relevant field, or comparable relevant experience in policy, politics or organizing
• Outstanding writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Ability to analyze multifaceted political and policy information and present it in an understandable manner
• Technology skills to organize and convey information in a variety of contexts and formats
• Experience engaging organizations and/or the public to act in a coordinated fashion a plus
• Political or advocacy campaign experience and/or work for an elected official a plus

Work Environment

• Normal office setting with low to moderate noise level. 
• We will work with successful applicants to solve technology needs to ensure a positive remote work experience.

Employer's Rights

• RTC reserves the right to revise, change or reclassify this job description at any time in accordance with RTC’s business needs.
• This job description is by no means an implied contract.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to email with the following:
• The position you are applying for in the subject line
• A résumé (as a separate attachment)
• A cover letter that includes a brief statement about your personal background or experiences that demonstrate your potential to contribute to RTC’s commitment to create an inclusive and diverse workplace.​

Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy seeks diverse, passionate and qualified individuals who want to make a difference in the world. RTC is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, and other legally protected characteristics.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please e-mail careers@railstotrails.org and provide the nature of your request and your contact information.