We’re hosting a NYSERDA-supported Climate Justice Fellow to support advocacy initiatives in WNY. This is a 12-month fellowship that begins December 2023.
GObike believes diversity, equity and inclusion will make our organization and our region stronger. Our advocacy work is part of our ongoing commitment to increase our engagement with people and communities that are currently underrepresented in the cycling community and within our organization.
About GObike
We promote active biking, walking and transit, trails and greenways, and complete streets in Western New York.
GObike maintains a strong focus on connecting and empowering communities. We recognize that residents in different communities face very different challenges and barriers. We must build trust and engage in meaningful dialogue in order to contribute to an equitable transportation system that supports users across differences and advances quality of life. We work clearly and transparently with stakeholders to identify challenges in their communities and elevate local champions to advocate for change.
Fellowship Description
The Climate Justice Fellow (CJF) will work alongside GObike staff to advance climate justice and clean energy priorities for disadvantaged communities. The fellow will be responsible for advocating for equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD) in upcoming projects within the City of Buffalo and facilitating meetings for various groups working on climate justice issues around transportation. The CJF will also be responsible for conducting analysis, drafting policy, and coordinating events where applicable.
The CJF will coordinate with GO Buffalo Niagara, the Developing Our Transit Future cohort, NFTA’s Move Roundtable, TOD Coordinating Committee and the Buffalo, NY based Clean Transportation Prize team led by LISC NY to recognize community values, build consensus, and elevate community leadership to collaboratively advance climate justice and sustainability initiatives.
The CJF’s capstone project for the twelve-month period will be a report summarizing the collective activities of the various groups mentioned above over the 12-month period, and a recommendation of policy and/or program strategies that give agency to continue operating and influencing eTOD into the future.
The fellow reports to the GO Buffalo Niagara Program Manager.
Key responsibilities:
The Climate Justice Fellow will work with the GO Buffalo Niagara Program Manager to:
- Develop strengths-based community climate change and resilience planning policies
- Perform direct community outreach activities, including, but not limited to canvassing, presenting to groups online and in-person, tabling, calling, and emailing within neighborhoods of focus and proximity to projects
- Host workshops and assist with events to bring education, resources, and awareness to community members
- Develop and grow relationships with grassroots leadership and anchor institutions in support of clean energy and climate-friendly policies
- Collect, analyze and report on community feedback and priorities
- Maintain community contacts, participation and survey response data
- Advocate for eTOD through public processes of projects including DL&W, Utica Station, Summer-Best Station, and Bailey Ave BRT project
- Convene and facilitate ongoing meetings for the Developing Our Transit Future working group and attend the NFTA’s MOVE Roundtable
- Develop and grow relationships with local law enforcement to promote strategies that protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders
- Promote GO Buffalo Niagara programs and services to employers, community anchors, and developers
The Climate Justice Fellow should have:
- Experience and/or comfort leading groups, facilitating conversations, and de-escalating conflict
- Demonstrated experience in project leadership
- Demonstrated ability to work across racial, ethnic, gender, orientation, class and ability differences
- Personal commitment to sustainable transportation (biking, walking, and transit) and energy-efficiency
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Ability to work remotely, in the community. and in-person at the GObike headquarters at 313 Broadway
- Comfort using word processing, spreadsheets and web-based file systems (i.e. Microsoft Office, Google Suite)
Eligible Climate Justice Fellow candidates must:
- Currently reside in NYS and be able work in NYS full-time for 12-months
- Commit to the entire 12-month fellowship and the goal of assisting GObike in advancing climate justice and clean energy priorities for disadvantaged communities.
- Currently be from a Priority Population as defined on NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Workforce Development Definition page.
- Be a new hire – not a previous or furloughed employee, contractor, or intern.
Persons with established relationships within and familiarity with Buffalo neighborhoods where active mobility infrastructure is most needed, including Buffalo’s East Side, are strongly encouraged to apply.
The tentative fellowship start date is December 1st, pending approval of the fellow by NYSERDA. This fellowship is for 35 hours/week. Compensation is $22/hr, plus fully-covered health insurance benefits.
If you would like to be considered for this fellowship, please submit your resume and cover letter to Christine Krolewicz, GO Buffalo Niagara Program Manager, by email at christine@gobuffaloniagara.org. Applicants should also complete the Climate Justice Fellowship Program Application hosted by NYSERDA linked here.