Shared Mobility Program Manager, Transportation & Fuels

Program/Role: Transportation & Fuels, Shared Mobility Program Manager

Location: This position is based at the Great Plains Institute’s Twin Cities office, at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220 in Minneapolis, MN.

Reports to: Vice President, Transportation & Fuels

Type of Position: Full time position

Ideal start date: August 14, 2023

Compensation: Salary range: $80K-$93K, commensurate with experience. Benefits include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development allowance, and a communication stipend.

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is transforming the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by more than 60 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies.

The following values inform the way we work both inside and outside of GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, and transformative:

Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability.

Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with a diversity of interests.

Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes.

Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change.

THIS POSITION

GPI sees transportation greenhouse gas reduction strategies as part of a three-legged stool that includes transportation electrification, low carbon fuels, and reduced and more efficient vehicle use (also described as Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reduction). GPI seeks an ambitious and experienced individual to develop and manage an initiative focused on the third leg – strategies aimed at reducing and more efficient vehicle use (i.e., alternatives to driving single-occupant cars). This initiative will initially focus on micromobility and shared mobility in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Long-term, the goal is to expand this work statewide and beyond. A primary year one goal will be to establish a framework to expand the use of shared bikes and scooters in the Twin Cities metropolitan region.

The person in this role will have a passion for VMT reduction efforts, including bikeshare, rideshare, biking, walking, transit, and others. They will be excited about the prospect of launching a VMT reduction program and be willing to put in the time and energy required for a successful program. And they will be eager to establish deep relationships with communities and Tribal Nations to ensure that community priorities are at the forefront of VMT reduction policies and programs.

ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION & FUELS PROGRAM

This position is part of GPI’s Transportation & Fuels program. The program’s goal is deep decarbonization of the transportation sector by putting in place the policy, regulatory, institutional, and economic framework that enables that transition. Our work is fast-paced, and our staff are passionate about GPI’s mission and global climate issues. The Transportation & Fuels team is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

JOB DUTIES

The Shared Mobility Program Manager will work with the Vice President to develop and manage a VMT reduction initiative for the Transportation & Fuels program. The individual will work with others on the team to ensure that the VMT reduction initiative aligns with other Transportation & Fuels work, including transportation electrification, bioeconomy, clean transportation standard development and implementation, and working lands. The individual will also work with the Communities program to ensure alignment with its strategic priorities. The right candidate will understand the importance of a portfolio approach to transportation decarbonization and that no one strategy is the solution. The specific duties and responsibilities of this position include:

Relationship cultivation

• Build and deepen partnerships with local, state, and regional stakeholders, including local and state governments, community-based organizations, Tribal Nations, NGOs, electric utilities, transportation network providers, businesses, and others.
• Participate in key stakeholder meetings, events, and conferences, including the Twin Cities Shared Mobility Collaborative, North American Bike Share Association, and Shared-Use Mobility Center.
• Participate in the Twin Cities Shared Mobility Collaborative

Policy advocacy

• Work with the Vice President and Public Policy Manager to develop, lead, and carry out a public policy agenda that supports VMT reduction goals.
• Testify at legislative hearings as needed and draft written testimony on behalf of GPI and its stakeholder groups.
• Educate decision makers on VMT reduction priorities.

Research and technical assistance

• Provide or arrange for technical assistance to local governments on zoning, permitting, financing, program design, and other areas that help meet VMT reduction goals. This may include drafting legislation, ordinances, or resolutions for implementation at state or local government levels.
• Research and develop new best practices that meet VMT reduction goals, prepare materials, and disseminate information/materials to local, regional, state, and industry audiences.
• Oversee and help design research initiatives on technical issues that need to be resolved to meet VMT reduction goals. Research initiatives may include geospatial analyses, literature reviews, modeling efforts, surveys, regulatory assessments, economic analyses, and social research. Work with internal staff, national laboratories, academia, and others to accomplish research initiatives. Oversee the preparation of visual and written materials that summarize findings.
• Assist with market transformation efforts related to VMT reduction goals, including mobility hubs, shared mobility, and micromobility.

Outreach and education

• Develop, lead, and carry out an outreach plan that supports the VMT reduction initiative and encourages broad participation in the decision-making process.
• Develop, lead, and carry out a community engagement plan
• Prepare and deliver presentations at webinars, stakeholder meetings, conferences, and other events as appropriate.
• Prepare educational materials including blog posts, fact sheets, written reports, infographics, and other materials that support the VMT reduction initiative.

Facilitation

• Design, administer, and facilitate stakeholder meetings for the VMT reduction initiative while ensuring broad and equitable participation. Specific activities may include developing agendas, lining up speakers, and leading large and small group discussions.
• Guide participants to address equity issues in VMT reduction efforts, including shared mobility, micromobility, and transit.
• Build consensus on policy and strategy and build and coordinate coalitions to advocate collectively.

Project management

• Plan and execute projects relevant to VMT reduction from project inception to project closeout. Specific activities may include preparing project scopes, preparing project budgets, assembling project teams, managing project budgets, managing workplans, facilitating project meetings, and managing deliverables.
• Manage contracts, track invoices, and prepare progress reports.
• Participate in team meetings.
• Provide project direction to junior staff, including specialists, associates, and interns.

Fundraising

• Identify and respond to new funding opportunities, including philanthropic funding, fee-for-service opportunities, and corporate giving.
• Take the lead on preparing narrative, budgets, and other requested materials for funding opportunities and grant reports.

Other programmatic assistance as requested by the Vice President.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Educational background in urban planning or transportation. Relevant skills and experience can substitute for the educational background requirement.
• Demonstrated proficiency in establishing and cultivating strong relationships across different levels of organizations, both internally and externally.
• Ability to communicate written and oral information to various audiences with different communication styles and ideologies.
• Commitment to equitable outcomes and increasing diversity and inclusion in project work and organizationally.
• Self-motivated
• Excellent time, deadline, and project management skills with ability to multi-task.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint)
• Commitment to the climate mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Established knowledge of and experience with local or regional government processes, including development review, zoning, land use planning, permitting, environmental review, and fiscal analysis.
• Direct experience implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion in projects.
• Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials.
• Experience testifying and/or lobbying on behalf of a coalition.
• Experience analyzing the greenhouse gas reduction impact of VMT reduction strategies, including shared mobility.

EQUIPMENT USED:

Desktop computer and/or laptop, copier, fax machine, calculator, printer, telephone; Microsoft Office Suite programs; teleconferencing platforms including Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:

Requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods. Extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), as well as usage of telephone/headset.

HOW TO APPLY:

Required application materials include a resume, two-page writing sample, and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE:

GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had.

The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.