Transportation Infrastructure Engagement & Policy Lead

About Equiticity:
Become a part of The Equiticity Racial Equity Movement. Equiticity is a racial equity movement, operationalizing racial equity by harnessing our collective power through research, advocacy, programs, Community Mobility Rituals, and social enterprises, to improve the lives of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people in our society. Equiticity is more than an organization; we are a movement working to wholesale transform our society and create liveable neighborhoods and cities for racially marginalized communities. We are delivering both innovative programming and transformative policies at the local, regional, and national levels to achieve our vision and realize our mission.
Equiticity is a place to explore inherent potential, crush perceived boundaries, and achieve what others consider impossible. Our movement is looking for people who are ready to grow, think, collaborate, dream, create, and lead. Our culture thrives by embracing creativity, innovation, and imagination. Our team seeks leaders, visionaries, and boundary pushers. At Equiticity, we value each person bringing their authentic selves and their sharpened skills, along with their passion for challenging the status quo in our society.

About the position:
Equiticity seeks to contract with a dynamic individual who will lead various transportation infrastructure engagement and policy efforts with community-based organizations, neighborhood residents, government agencies, elected officials, and other relevant stakeholders in the Greater Grand Crossing and South Shore neighborhoods on the Southside of Chicago.

This project, titled "Reimagining 79th Street & Stony Island Avenue & South Chicago Avenue: Local Data for Equitable Safety, Place, and Mobility",is a nine-month, community-driven study focused on one of Chicago's most dangerous intersections. Led by Equiticity, and in partnership with University of Chicago, Real Men Charities, and The Chicago Dream Team, the project aims to document built environment and transportation conditions that create safety risks and mobility barriers for residents in the predominantly Black neighborhoods of Greater Grand Crossing and South Shore. The project also seeks to inform CDOT's Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study and create the community and political conditions necessary to reengineer the intersection.
Position Responsibilities:
● Manage partnerships with two organizations leading community engagement.
● Establish and lead a Community Advisory Council of six stakeholders (three per neighborhood) rooted in the Greater Grand Crossing and South Shore neighborhoods of Chicago.
● Manage four Resident Data Leads (2 per neighborhood).
● Plan and conduct two neighborhood walking tours to explore intersections, adjacent infrastructure, neighborhood assets, and the level of walkability.
● Plan and conduct two walk audits to document lived experiences, mobility barriers, and neighborhood assets across transportation modes and physical abilities.
● Collaborate with the University of Chicago (UChicago) for data collection, policy development,
and other related tasks.
● Plan and host one focus group to engage 6 residents and stakeholders (3 per neighborhood).
● Plan and host six one-on-one interviews with neighborhood stakeholders and residents.
● Plan and conduct outreach for surveys to be completed by 50 neighborhood stakeholders and
residents.
● Plan and host a community culminating convening.
● Plan and host a government agency briefing with relevant transportation, planning, and development agencies at the city, regional, and state levels.
● Facilitate, manage, and track payments, gift cards, and stipends.
● Develop, design, and disseminate materials to residents and stakeholders.
● Meet virtually and/or in person as needed with the Equiticity President & CEO, Equiticity Interim Senior Director of Impact, UChicago partners, community partners, and other stakeholders.
● Other responsibilities as assigned and pertaining to project deliverables.

Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent educational experience in a relevant field.
● Working, Intimate knowledge of the South Side and Southeast Side of Chicago.
● Strong event planning and project management skills.
● Proven, significant experience developing and implementing neighborhood marketing and community outreach strategies.
● Strong written and verbal communication skills.
● Experience in managing time effectively and multitasking.
● Exhibits professional flexibility and resilience while responding effectively to the needs of varied internal and external stakeholders.
● Comfortable collaborating with a broad-based coalition of community-based organizations, civic organizations, university partners, local businesses, corporations, transit agencies, other government agencies, and neighborhood stakeholders.
● Ability to work in a fast-paced, remote environment with a high degree of autonomy, organization, self-direction, and self-motivation.
● Passion for Equiticity’s vision and mission.

Equiticity is committed to employing a diverse workforce and strongly encourages Black, Brown, and Indigenous people to apply. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.