Title: Government Affairs Associate

Organization: Smart Growth America

Location: Washington, DC

Smart Growth America is seeking an enthusiastic candidate for advocacy work with a new SGA initiative to expand a coalition of smart growth real estate professionals called LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors. The associate will manage the day-to-day organizing of the coalition, develop communication materials, and create outreach strategies for this unique initiative committed to federal policies that support the smart growth real estate sector. The associate will mobilize executives and leaders in real estate (grasstops leaders) to ensure that the progressive real estate voice is heard in federal transportation, tax, water, and climate debates.

The applicant must be a dynamic individual, prepared to speak to audiences, and recruit and organize private developers and investors, non-profit developers, and related business leaders. This position requires experience in grasstops/executive leadership organizing and political engagement.  Knowledge of real estate, smart growth, financing, transit-oriented development, or infill projects is a plus.  Tasks will range from working with the President of LOCUS, building relationships with national smart growth developers and their staff, engaging members in legislative and policy actions, developing marketing materials, and cultivating new members.

The associate will work in the Washington, D.C. office of Smart Growth America, will be a member of the government affairs team, and report to the team lead. The associate will work closely with the President of LOCUS, and SGA’s Policy and Communications teams. LOCUS works with the Transportation for America campaign, and its advocacy efforts on reforming transportation policy.  This is a full-time position.

Responsibilities:

• Develop recruiting tools and outreach materials to engage current and potential members in advocacy and media efforts.
• Organize strategic activities with LOCUS members both in DC and in other target locations, including coalition member summits and Hill briefings.
• Draft policy briefs for members on key legislative topics.
• Integrate LOCUS members into appropriate legislative campaigns at SGA on such issues as climate, real estate finance, water, and transportation.
• Work with communications staff to create media opportunities for members, a web presence for the coalition, and coalition marketing materials.
• Build the capacity of coalition members to engage target members of Congress about key legislative issues.
• Create a web presence, out reach materials and a brand identity for the LOCUS initiative.
• Report regularly to the President of LOCUS, team lead, and the coalition steering committee with written documentation of results.

Qualifications:

This position requires a self-motivated and detail-oriented person with excellent organizing skills. The candidate must have good communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

The candidate should have:

• A minimum of one to three years experience in organizing for political or issue campaigns.
• Interest in real estate, urban planning, finance, water, and/or transportation issues.
• Experience with grasstops leaders through an association or political campaign is a plus.
• Some Hill experience is preferable but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and meet deadlines with willingness to be part of a team working towards a common goal.
• Availability for travel.
• Strong communication and writing skills and an ability to work with a diverse group of people and audiences.
• Ability to recruit and maintain members on-line, in person and by phone.
• Proven ability to report on numbers, metrics and analysis of coalition capacity and activity success.

Compensation: Salary will be commensurate with experience.  Smart Growth America provides a generous benefits package.

How to apply:

To be considered for this position, please submit application materials to jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org. A complete application will include: 1) resume, 2) cover letter, 3) three references, and 4) short writing sample (not to exceed two pages).

Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Job is available immediately.

Equal Opportunity Employment: Smart Growth America is an equal opportunity employer.