Are you a community organizer? Passionate about walkable neighborhoods? Dream of a city with less congestion and more community connections?

We're looking to hire at Los Angeles Walks. Come apply to be our Incoming Executive Director.

You can find the full job description here or read below. 

Incoming Executive Director

Last Day to Apply: October 15, 2023

REPORTS TO: The Advisory Board, Current Executive Director (this position will report to our Current Executive Director until March 2024. At that time, if approved by the Board, the position will transition to Executive Director.)

SUPERVISES: Promotor Educators, Promotores, Volunteers, Interns

ABOUT US: Los Angeles Walks is a pedestrian advocacy organization. We train and mobilize  people to advocate for safe, accessible, comfortable walking conditions in neighborhoods  across Los Angeles. We promote walking and pedestrian infrastructure in Los Angeles, educate local policymakers regarding the rights and needs of pedestrians of all abilities, and amplify the voices of those most immediately impacted by dangerous streets. 

We believe that walking is the most fundamental form of mobility, and that everyone deserves a  safe (s - safe, a - accessible, f - fun, e - equitable) walking environment – regardless of income,  age, race, ability, or ZIP code. We believe that providing all residents with a safe walking environment is a core function of government. We know that the historical and current disinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color has had staggering impacts on access to safe street infrastructure and on collision rates in Los Angeles. With that, Los  Angeles Walks prioritizes support for projects and programs that address this historic and current discrimination. We consider the intersection of housing security and public investment in changing neighborhoods. We also value community-centered projects and deep community engagement, exemplified by our Safe Street Promotora Educators.

OUR STORY: In 1998, urban designer Deborah Murphy founded Los Angeles Walks along with friends who were focused on fostering a more livable city. Over the years, thanks to a large and dedicated group of volunteers, Los Angeles Walks consistently worked to raise awareness about pedestrian issues and bring attention to the role of walking in the City of Los Angeles. In fall of 2011, under the fiscal umbrella of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Los Angeles Walks began a sustained, grassroots effort to support walking in LA. In 2013, Los Angeles  Walks was granted fiscal sponsorship by Community Partners, joining 100 local projects moving the region forward. In 2015, we hired our first full time staff member as a Policy and Program  Manager and helped to launch the Los Angeles Vision Zero Alliance, a citywide coalition. In  August 2017 the organization promoted the Policy Program Manager as the organization’s first paid Executive Director. Southern California Families for Safe Streets was initiated as a project of Los Angeles Walks in November 2017 to advocate for families of victims of traffic violence. From January 2018 to June 2023 the organization included a full time Advocacy and Engagement Manager, with a focus on grassroots training and mobilization in an effort to build a solid base of support for safe streets initiatives in Los Angeles. As of July 2023, Los Angeles Walks continues to build on this rich history with a full time Executive Director and eight part time Promotor Educators. Los Angeles Walks is currently a project of Community Partners. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Base Building Community Organizing

• Establish and maintain relationships with our community membership (referred to as the Safe Street Promotor network) across Los Angeles County in the neighborhoods of Panorama City, Central LA, South LA, and Harbor communities.
• Develop programming for our membership that advocates for safe street changes.
• Incorporate our membership into other Los Angeles Walks programs (i.e.: fundraisers, public walks, SoCal Families for Safe Streets, advocacy etc.) 
• Serve on pertinent community coalitions and represent the interests of our communities and our mission
• Continue to support community members seeking appointments or elections to committees, commissions, and councils that address  street design and the built environment (LA City Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Urban Design Advisory Board, LA City Neighborhood Councils)

Contracts and Grants Management

• Supervise programming that is co-led by Safe Street Promotores on activities related to grant and contract deliverables. Activities include regular group and one-on-one meetings, community workshops, and meetings with local stakeholders (e.g: LA City Council and agencies, other Community Based Organizations, consultants, community leaders, and press).
• Create and manage Safe Street Promotores contracts. Tasks include scope of work development, contract onboarding, contract administration and establishing regular check-ins and managing deliverables.
• Prepare and submit contract and grant invoices, timesheets, and/or monthly reports (depends on contract or grant) to ensure timely payments.

Coordination with Board of Advisors

• In collaboration with the Board Chair, prepare materials, attend and present updates at monthly board meetings.
• Collaborate with Board Committees including the Executive Committee, Fundraising Committee, Policy Committee and ad-hoc Committees as needed.

External Communications

• Draft public-facing communications related to programs
  • Publish social media posts and pertinent blog posts to promote and document activities
  • Update website content related to public programs 
  • Support staff on development of annual report 
  • Send out pertinent emails to our listserv, promoting events and communicating accomplishments,  such as a monthly newsletter 
• Maintain contact with local and national news media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, NPR, etc.
• Organize annual press conference discussing our programs and major policy asks for the year.
• Draft and compile an annual report outlining the organization's programs and achievements over the previous year.

Fundraising and Financial Oversight 

• Develop and implement strategies to secure greater philanthropic support for current  Los Angeles Walks priorities.  
• Draft grant proposals, pursue new contracts, maintain relationships with institutional and individual donors, and the Board of Advisors. 
• In collaboration with the Board of Advisors, help organize our annual fundraiser and happy hours.
• In collaboration with the Board Treasurer, provide regular financial reports to the advisory board on programs and impact.
• In collaboration with the Board Treasurer, meet regularly with Community Partners to review monthly budget reports.
• Prepare for regular monthly Board meetings and any coordination with our fiscal agent Community Partners. 

General Administration Duties

• Manage staff, promotor contractors, volunteers and interns
• Conduct staff periodic reviews and coordinate with human resources
• Manage and coordinate hiring process for new staff 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.
• Live in Los Angeles County or willing to relocate

Strongly Preferred Skills

• Candidates should have energy, enthusiasm, mature judgment, absolute integrity, and a history of working with a diverse population.
• Candidates should have knowledge of active transportation, racial justice, social justice, and health equity.  
• Candidates that are bi-lingual Spanish speakers strongly preferred.
• Candidates with experience engaging elected officials, foundations, and donors are highly desirable. 
• Candidates with previous 2-3 years of experience in team and project management 
• Candidates with educational degrees in urban planning, architecture, public policy, public health, political science, social work, and community organizing.

Location: Hybrid, must be local to Los Angeles County and able to drive (Class C driver’s license). A co-working space will be provided.

Working Hours: 40 working hours a week. Generally Monday-Friday, 9AM to 6PM with occasional weekend and weeknight activities.9/80 work schedule, every other Friday off.

Compensation:

Salary: $90,000

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental coverage (HMO and PPO options available)
• 10 vacation days a year, which increases the longer you are employed
• 1 paid sick leave a month
• 11 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
• 403B Retirement Planning (matching contribution provided after two years)

Physical

The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, frequently walk and stand. The employee must also use their hands to operate office equipment and reach with hands and arms. Employee may occasionally climb, stoop, kneel or bend. Employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform essential job duties

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit resume and cover letter via email to Los Angeles Walks Hiring Committee Chair, Charu Kukreja at [email protected]