Careers
About San Francisco Transit Riders:
San Francisco Transit Riders (SFTR) is the city’s member-supported, grassroots advocate for excellent, affordable, and growing public transit. We believe that empowering everyday transit riders to speak up for rider-first policies will bring us the world-class transit system we need for a livable, sustainable, and accessible San Francisco.
Deploying an equity and sustainability-focused understanding of several of these issues, SFTR is taking a proactive stance to support the voices of marginalized and underrepresented communities, supporting and rebuilding transit service levels, restoring current and future funding streams for stability and growth, and ensuring the safety and security of transit operators.
Our Values:
- We value rider-centric policies. We listen to riders; we lead with riders.
- We value equity. We advocate for affordable, dependable, frequent, safe, accessible public transit for the broadest population, with a consistent focus on equitable service and access.
- We value the pro-transit voice. We believe in the positive impact and potential of public transit.
- We value practicality. We look for short-term pragmatic solutions while pushing for a long-term vision and demanding accountability from our agencies and leaders.
- We value sustainability. Public transit is the most sustainable way for people to get around in a dense city. It promotes a vibrant economy and invests in the social good.
- We value a visionary approach to planning. We support thriving public transit systems that are innovative, inspirational, and growing.
- We value respect. We respect members, riders, and partners, even when we disagree. We have and teach empathy for others, and we acknowledge riders’ dignity.
For more information about SFTR, check out our website: sftransitriders.org
Equal Opportunity Statement:
San Francisco Transit Riders is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive staff team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, and/or people with disabilities.
Download the Position Descriptions HERE, or scroll down to view:
Executive Director
Position Overview:
San Francisco Transit Riders (SFTR) seeks a dynamic Executive Director with a love for public transit and the people who ride it. We need a strategic thinker who can lead a small but powerful advocacy group that represents the voice of the transit rider in San Francisco and advocates for effective change.
The successful candidate will have prior experience in achieving sustainable fundraising at a non-profit. They are politically savvy with a firm understanding of the complex transit and government landscape of San Francisco. They will work to grow an organization with a broad membership, run the day-to-day operations, and implement the current strategic plan with motivated and dedicated staff, volunteers, contractors, and board members.
Responsibilities:
- Fundraise, build, and maintain long-term sustainable sources of funding for the organization.
- Represent transit riders and SFTR in interactions with city and regional government, other non-profits, and neighborhood groups. Establish, deepen, and maintain these relationships to continue developing trust and confidence in SFTR and the work that we do.
- Engage with regional partners to secure long-term funding for transit in the Bay Area.
- Maintain effective decision-making processes to achieve SFTR’s long-term and short-term goals.
- Supervise, support, grow, and collaborate with a small staff of full-time and part-time employees and contractors as well as an engaged board to implement SFTR’s strategic plan.
- Manage day-to-day operations and administrative systems including human resources, finances, and information technology.
- Work with staff and the board to review SFTR’s Mission and update SFTR’s strategic plan on a regular basis.
- Steer SFTR so that strategies and tactics drive the mission and strategic plan forward.
- Manage and coordinate the September Transit Month efforts for SFTR and key partners.
Key Qualities:
With an unwavering determination, the Executive Director must share a firm conviction and sense of urgency in transforming transit in San Francisco. The individual we are looking for has a passion for and experience working in the areas of transit, urban advocacy, and other related subjects. They are comfortable in an early-stage environment and have the vision and leadership skills to take the organization to the next level. Our members are passionate about transit and they enjoy the interaction of being part of SFTR. The right leader will leverage this social aspect of our work and create an engaging environment for members and volunteers.
They have the entrepreneurial ability to build and maintain a sustainable funding stream. SFTR had its most successful fundraising year ever in 2023 by building relationships and partnerships. As we shift advocacy toward transportation equity and environmental justice, we need a leader who can guide SFTR’s path to receiving funding from equity and climate-centered sources.
Skills we’re looking for:
- 3-5 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit world, preferably with exposure to small, start-up organizations.
- Proven ability as a fundraiser for a non-profit.
- Demonstrated commitment to strengthening transit justice and equity.
- Demonstrated commitment to strengthening climate justice and equity.
- Experience managing employees and volunteers.
- Flexible and team-oriented approach to problem-solving.
- Excellence in planning and execution of events or initiatives.
- Experience with non-profit advocacy and coalition building.
- Strong time management and work planning skills.
- Excellent writing skills and ability to develop compelling narratives.
- Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekend events as required, including the monthly board meetings, rallies, and public meetings.
- Knowledge of San Francisco, Muni, and local politics (or willingness to learn).
- Bilingual Spanish or Cantonese a plus.
If you are a steady, upbeat, and organized leader who cares about transit and the vibrancy of cities, we hope you will consider joining SFTR. Position open until filled. Interested candidates should fill out this interest form, then email a cover letter and resume to jobs@sftransitriders.org. Please put “Executive Director” in the subject line of your email.
Job Type: Full-time
Compensation: $100,000.00 – $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision
- Paid time off
- Sick leave
- Holidays
- Up to $100 per month in transit benefits
Schedule:
- Most weeks: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm
- Weekend availability
Application Question(s):
- Please include a cover letter as part of your application.
Work Location:
- Hybrid schedule. In-office days are located in a shared/co-working office in San Francisco.
Outreach & Organizing Manager
Position Overview:
San Francisco Transit Riders currently has a growing staff, an active Board, and dedicated volunteers. The Outreach & Organizing Manager role is designed to build grassroots support among riders, pedestrians, merchants, and community groups for walkable streets and high-quality transit throughout San Francisco with a specific focus in the Bayview, Southeast, and Western Addition.
Core Responsibilities:
(i) Organize Riders in the Excelsior, Bayview, and Western Addition (60%)
- Lead the development and execution of community outreach events to engage riders in the Excelsior, Bayview, and Western Addition neighborhoods of San Francisco.
- Conduct a community needs assessment survey in partnership with local community groups, building off organization’s existing relationships and connections.
- Cultivate individual relationships with riders and members to encourage them to advocate, volunteer, and become members of SFTR.
- Develop and implement strategies to mobilize community members and riders to advocate for transit priorities at City Hall, SFMTA, the Board of Supervisors, and other relevant forums.
- In coordination with the communications team, create compelling, informative, and multilingual talking points, visual tools, and presentations relevant to communities that empower transit riders to understand their value as advocates.
- Listen to and document the stories and experiences of riders to report back to staff and Board, to better inform SFTR policy, fundraising, and public narrative.
(ii) Community Partnerships (25%)
- Establish and build on existing relationships with community-based organizations, local businesses, and neighborhood groups with a special focus in southeast San Francisco and the Western Addition.
- Foster collaboration between SFTR staff, SFMTA, and community partners to address shared goals.
- Manage part-time employees or contractors working in SFTR-led outreach in these communities.
- Engage community partners around key transit issues & SFTR campaigns
- Develop metrics to track the success of community organizing efforts and reporting results to the Executive Director and Board
- Connect community organizations and leaders from focus communities to the citywide Transit Justice Coalition
- Assist the Community and Policy Manager in Transit Justice Coalition planning and outreach to stakeholders
- Manage the San Francisco Safe Routes to School contractor to ensure organizational & program goals and expectations are being met.
(iii) Membership Engagement and Administration (15%)
- Attend and lead in-person events that help drive membership and build our list, specifically to grow and diversify our membership.
- Accurately maintain CRM data to reflect SFTR’s development of relationships and contacts.
- Help increase and diversify SFTR membership through leading membership drives in equity priority communities
- Lead volunteer opportunities for members, fostering volunteer leadership development
- Support staff efforts on membership, including Membership Month and End of Year Appeals.
- Support Transit Month planning and execution.
- Track and report organizing outcomes and goals to staff and the Board of Directors.
- Lead actions (including, but not limited to, rallies, tabling, letter-writing campaigns, and get out the vote activities) in line with organizational priorities as needed.
- Participate in organization-wide campaigns and programs as needed.
- Coordinate with SFTR Executive Director to ensure required grant deliverables are met.
Summary of Qualifications and Specific Skills:
- Deep roots in San Francisco, with a particular interest in the Southeast.
- Experience organizing communities around public interest issues such as transit, urban living, or other related areas.
- Passion for improving transit and walkability, and familiarity with Muni (you ride transit!). Good people skills and confidence to reach out to new communities, including cultural competency to work with marginalized communities.
- An ability to take initiative while also working as part of a team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Written and/or conversational fluency in Spanish or Cantonese a plus
- Knowledge of San Francisco politics and decision-making processes a plus
- Knowledge of how racial, housing, environmental, economic, and transit justice issues intersect a plus
Characteristics of the Position:
- This position will report to the Executive Director.
- Candidates must live in or relocate to the Bay Area.
- Travel throughout the city
- 36 hours per week schedule. Requires occasional evening and weekend activities.
- Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. We have retained M. Brook Associates for the hiring of this position. Interested candidates should fill out this interest form, then email a cover letter, resume, and three references to janelle@sftransitriders.org. Please put “Community Organizer” in the subject line of your email.
Compensation
Salary range for this role is $60,000 – $70,000 and salary will be determined based on experience. We offer paid vacation, generous holidays, and opportunities for employment enrollment in Calsavers.
Remote Work
Hybrid — San Francisco Bay Area. Staff and their supervisors will work together to determine the appropriate work arrangement based on the nature of the individual’s role, and in alignment with organizational policies and departmental needs and activities. We strive to be as flexible and fair as possible while ensuring in-person accessibility when needed to interface with our volunteers, membership, community, and each other.
Contact us
San Francisco Transit Riders
P.O. Box 193341, San Francisco, CA 94119
© 2018 San Francisco Transit Riders, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit