Transportation Partnership Specialist

The State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) is seeking aTransportation Partnership Specialistto strengthen our national network of state transportation leaders and help advance safer, cleaner, and more connected communities. SSTI works with State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) across the country to promote sustainability, equity, and transparent governance. We are based at the High Road Strategy Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and partner closely with Smart Growth America in Washington, D.C.

Why join our team? This role offers the chance to help shape state and national transportation policy while growing professionally in a vibrant university setting. Madison is frequently ranked among the most livable and bike-friendly cities in the U.S. As a UW-Madison employee, you will receive excellent benefits and retirement, flexibility to support work-life balance, and opportunities for professional development.

Job Duties:

The Transportation Partnership Specialist will work closely with the Managing Director to grow and support SSTI's network of state transportation officials across the U.S. Specific duties include:

• Plan and facilitate frequent virtual meetings for state DOT staff, including inviting guest speakers and preparing agendas, materials, and follow-up notes.

• Track participation and conduct targeted outreach to strengthen ongoing engagement and recruit new participants.

• Lead planning for at least one annual in-person convening of state DOT leaders, coordinating logistics with SSTI's event coordinator.

• Develop and implement engagement strategies to improve participation in peer networks and expand relationships with agency staff, elected officials, partner organizations, and interest groups.

• Collaborate with researchers and technical staff to identify and prioritize network needs and help shape work products, tools, and trainings for DOT staff and leaders.

• Monitor relevant news, research, and emerging practices to inform network discussions and guide SSTI programming.

• Produce clear communication materials including blogs, policy briefs, webinars, meeting materials, and other written content.

• Support program development and strategic growth, including assisting with grant writing, fundraising activities, and other administrative tasks as needed.

We welcome candidates who bring strong perspectives on brand development, program design, and the strategic growth of SSTI and other programs at the High Road Strategy Center.

SSTI staff typically work onsite at UW-Madison. Hybrid and remote work may be considered. Some national travel is required.

This is a 100% full time, fixed-term, two-year position with the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and funding.

• Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program

• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending

• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program

• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials

• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members

College of Letters & Science, Sociology Department, High road Strategy Center

The expected salary range for this position is $55,000 up to $70,000 (12-month) for experienced candidates. Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitive insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.

• Familiarity with transportation practices that support sustainability, equity, or community well-being gained through coursework, research, or professional work.

• Experience collaborating with diverse partners or stakeholders, such as government agencies, nonprofits, or senior staff.

• Experience facilitating meetings, coordinating partnerships, or engaging external stakeholdersthat demonstrates strong relationship-building skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects or assignments independently, prioritize tasks, and solve problems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Prior experience in a transportation, planning, or related public agency, or direct work with state or local government partners.

• Familiarity with national networks of transportation, planning, or public sector professionals.

• Experience supporting coalitions or peer networks or helping groups collaborate toward shared goals.

• Experience with grant-writing, fundraising, or developing proposals.

• Experience contributing to organizational strategy, growth, or program development.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, public policy, or a related field

• Ora bachelor's degree in another field plus relevant professional experience

Preferred:

• Master's degree in planning, engineering, public policy, or a related field

• Or equivalent professional experience demonstrating advanced skills in the field

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Applicants should attach a resume and a concise cover letter that clearly describe your interest in this role and your relevant experience. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents in the attachment field.

References will be requested of final candidates.

Successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Maggie Oswalt, margaret.oswalt@wisc.edu

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY SERVICE for further information.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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