POSITION TITLE
Education and Events Specialist
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Program Manager
STATUS
Full time, Non-Exempt
Commute Seattle is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004 with a mission to foster mobility partnerships and services to keep Seattle moving and thriving for all. Commute Seattle staff work to make it easy to walk, bike, ride, and roll for the 350,000 people who go to work or school in Seattle every day. We are supported by local governments, transit agencies, the Downtown Seattle Association, and the Metropolitan Improvement District. Commute Seattle partners with employers, community nonprofits, and institutions to implement sustainable transportation options that positively change people’s behavior, improve quality of life, and support economic and environmental goals. The Education and Events Specialist is a vital part of a team supporting a nationally recognized Transportation Demand Management program in a city with a growing transit system and a protected bike network.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This position educates business leaders about commute benefits for workers to encourage people to walk, bike, telework, and take transit. The person in this role will work as part of a team to provide support, and guidance to Seattle’s largest employers affected by Washington State’s Commute Trip Reduction law and large buildings with City – mandated Transportation Management Programs. Alongside knowledge of Seattle’s transportation options, the specialist uses best-practice research and excellent customer service skills to aid large businesses and buildings across Seattle to:
- Provide effective sustainable transportation solutions for their employees.
- Achieve compliance with state and city mandates.
- Implement a commuter survey, biennial reporting,
Another key objective for the specialist is educational programming for business and property managers. This includes trainings, events, and associated communication materials. This work is carried out in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Specialist will work closely with program staff at the agency.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Education and Outreach (50%)
- Plan and execute high-quality educational events, informational seminars, brown bag presentations, one-on-one meetings, and small group networking or resource-sharing activities; host at least one public-facing Commute Seattle event per quarter.
- Lead event coordination with the team and support as needed. Activities include but are not limited to:
- Event scheduling, speaker/vendor recruitment, location selection and permitting, food and beverage procurement, writing and distributing promotional copy, registration tracking, and collecting event feedback.
- Support the team on implementing larger campaigns and events like Bike Everywhere Month, Ride Transit Month, Transportation Transformations, and more.
- Design promotional graphics that meet Commute Seattle brand guidelines using Adobe Creative Suite.
- Develop resources and educational materials including copy writing, formatting, and graphic design.
Commute Surveys and Business Reporting Requirements (50%)
- Develop sustainable commute programs with businesses and property managers with commuter benefits and transportation amenities and evaluate each program’s effectiveness and compliance with City and State requirements.
- Implement commuter surveys and reporting requirements with businesses and property managers; ensure business representatives are confident in implementing requirements.
- Provide timely and friendly consulting to employers and property managers seeking information about transportation options
- Track contract deliverables, maintain client database system, and fulfill administrative functions.
- Collaborate with partner organizations which include the Downtown Seattle Association, King County Metro, Washington State Department of Transportation, and the City of Seattle.
- Represent transit pass products, services, promotions, and policies accurately and professionally.
- Engage with the Commute Seattle team on opportunities to make Seattle more accessible and inclusive.
CHARACTERISTICS
- Demonstrates empathy and active listening when working with customers, coworkers, and funders; responsive communication and desires resolve issues completely and promptly
- Commitment to equity and social justice with an understanding of the role that racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of bias and oppression play in perpetuating inequity
- Humility, sense of humor, comfort with ambiguity, and servant leadership
- Respect that communities have the front-line expertise and experience essential in pursuing a just society and sustainable environment. We seek to support solutions that are self-determined by those impacted, respecting they are experts and balancing lived experience with data-informed practices
- Ability to weave and work within all Commute Seattle’s intersecting areas of focus including sustainable transportation, improved quality of life, and a thriving and mobile city
- Willingness and comfort to engage with evolving and shifting portfolio of job duties
Minimum Qualifications
- Related employment or educational experience, which may include client management, relationship management, and public outreach.
- Enthusiasm for direct education through events, collateral, hosting networking meetings, communications campaigns, and other strategies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to organize and share complex information clearly and concisely.
- The candidate must be detail-oriented and have strong organizational skills to manage a high volume of customer service relations and database management. Experience managing ongoing customer relationships and/or accounts preferred.
- Strong customer service orientation, and passion for direct engagement with customers and partners. Virtual and in-person meetings with client is a routine component of this role.
- Competency or willingness to learn Microsoft Outlook products, MailChimp, WordPress, Zoom or another video conference platform.
- Competency in and/or a willingness to learn Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar creative products.
Desirable Qualifications
- Passion for walking, biking, transit, sustainability, and affordability
- Event planning or management experience
- Experience developing educational collateral, visuals, and/or infographics
- Ability to develop and present persuasive information to groups, public speaking experience
- Experience communicating with multi-cultural audiences, particularly BIPOC, immigrant, and English as a Second Language communities
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, MailChimp, WordPress, Zoom webinars, Tableau Desktop, SurveyMonkey, ArcGIS or mapping software
WHY WORK HERE
Located on the homeland of the Duwamish People, Seattle is a fast-growing city where 3 out of 4 people walk, bike, roll, bus, or telework to school or work. With 20 new light rail stations opening across the region in the next two years, the city is about to embark on the largest transportation change in its history.
Commute Seattle is a nationally recognized Transportation Management Association and community-driven non-profit organization. We improve the quality of life for people in the Puget Sound region by making it easy, affordable, and stress-free to walk, bike, and bus to Seattle. Our staff enjoys team bike rides, transit trips to baseball games, trivia nights, walk-and-talks and so much more!
A day in the life at Commute Seattle looks like consulting with people who make transportation and policy decisions at some of the largest businesses in our region, finding creative opportunities to collaborate with public agencies, and centering community partners like Peace Peloton, El Centro de la Raza, and many more.
COMPENSATION
We are committed to internal and market equity. The hourly range for this position is $25.24 – $35.58. Salary is determined based on internal and market equity, internal and market data/salary ranges, and the applicant’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We will hire at the beginning of the salary range to allow future salary growth based on an employee’s performance, professional development and increases in responsibilities and duties. Downtown Seattle Association provides a comprehensive benefits package including but not restricted to:
We also provide:
- *Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
- *VAC/Personal Holidays
- *Paid FMLA
- *Life Insurance
- *LTD
- *ORCA Card
- Flexible Spending Account
- *Employer-Matched 401(k) Contribution with up to 5% Match
- *First Choice EAP
- Corporate Discounts
- *9 paid holidays
*Employer paid benefit
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ACCESSIBILITY
- Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry boxes of varying weights, including printed materials, catering trays, equipment, and supplies. This may involve lifting up to 50 pounds or more.
- Setting Up and Breaking Down: Capability to set up event spaces, including arranging tables, chairs, decorations, and other event materials. This may require bending, kneeling, and reaching.
- Walking and Standing: Expectation to be on foot for extended periods during events, which may involve walking around event spaces, standing for long durations, and navigating various terrains.
- Stamina and Endurance: Events can be physically demanding, requiring energy and stamina to manage tasks effectively throughout the duration of an event, which could last several hours or days.
- Coordination and Dexterity: Skills in handling event-related tools and equipment, such as setting up tents, using technology for presentations, and managing audio-visual systems.
- Driving (if applicable): Although a driver’s license is not required, the ability to drive or willingness to learn to drive event vehicles such as vans or trucks for transporting larger event materials.
- Weather Conditions: Ability to work in various weather conditions when setting up outdoor events, including heat, rain, cold, or wind.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to think on your feet to address unexpected challenges that may arise during events, such as last-minute changes or equipment malfunctions.
Commute Seattle is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and those who may require assistance due to medical conditions or limitations. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability or medical condition that may require accommodation during the application process or while performing the essential functions of the job, please inform us of your needs.
TO APPLY
This position is open until Wednesday, April 10th, 2024, with initial phone screens scheduled by April 15th, 2024.
Please send ONE (1) document combining your resume, cover letter, and three references to Hiring Manager Zarina Infante (info@commuteseattle.com) with the position title and your last name (e.g. Education and Events Specialist LAST NAME) in the subject line to ensure consideration.
We recognize the value of the Downtown Seattle Association and our affiliate organizations and programs reflecting the diversity of the community we serve and are intentionally and actively seeking out applications from a variety of backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).
Downtown Seattle Association is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and potential employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, and, if necessary, disciplined without regard to sex, race, religion, creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political ideology or activity, disability, honorably-discharged veteran or military status. All applicants are carefully screened, and full consideration is given to their training, education, skills, aptitudes, experience, and previous work record. In addition, DSA does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program.
NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE