Community Engagement Specialist (Contract)

Via is using technology to transform transportation around the world. From changing a single person's daily commute to reducing humanity's collective environmental footprint — we've got huge goals.

As a Community Engagement Specialist (Contract) for Mobile, AL's transit network redesign, you will lead community engagement efforts—combining relationship-driven community work (trusted organization and disability-community partnerships, political sensitivity, focus groups) with a milestone-driven launch playbook (train-the-trainer, champion organizations, education sessions, toolkit saturation, and targeted street outreach). This is not a service expansion; it is a high-visibility relaunch where messaging must be careful, inclusive, and credible for riders, caregivers, community organizations, and city leadership.

This is a contract role: ~40 hours/week through launch (approximately Jun–Aug 2026), tapering to ~10 hours/week post-launch (Sep–Nov 2026), with full-time in-person presence in Mobile, AL.

What You'll Do:

• Own and execute the community engagement plan for the network redesign, which includes a rebranding and changes to the transit network. This includes pre-launch outreach through post-launch follow-up.
• Build trusted relationships with community organizations, advocates, and local leaders, with emphasis on riders who will experience change to their use of transit, as well as those who use paratransit, accessibility services, and caregiver support.
• Recruit champion partner organizations, lead train-the-trainer sessions, and drive distribution of digital and print education toolkits across Mobile.
• Plan and lead community events, tabling, and on-the-ground outreach, including targeted pushes at major transit hubs, hospitals, colleges, and senior-serving locations.
• Facilitate rider focus groups and listening sessions (e.g., safety, trust, service changes) and translate insights into clear recommendations for Via and city partners.
• Design and deliver accessibility-, paratransit-, and senior-focused education sessions so riders and caregivers understand how to use the redesigned service.
• Distribute rider- and organization-facing materials (FAQs, one-pagers, toolkits) that explain the redesign clearly, accurately, and inclusively.
• Support municipal and partner briefings with talking points and pre-read materials; proactively flag community concerns and recommend ways to address them before they escalate.
• Serve as the senior local point of contact for community questions and concerns, and mentor a field intern on outreach tracking, event support, and weekly feedback capture.
• Provide regular written updates on outreach progress, feedback themes, and risks to Via's local and central teams.

Who You Are:

• 5+ years in community engagement, advocacy, public affairs, or nonprofit partnership roles—or equivalent consulting experience in public-facing programs.
• Proven success building trust with community organizations, especially disability, senior, and equity-focused stakeholders; comfortable in politically sensitive environments.
• Experience facilitating trainings, focus groups, and partner meetings; strong facilitator, not only a planner.
• Track record delivering measurable outreach outcomes (committed partners, events held, materials distributed, attendance targets).
• Excellent verbal and written communicator; able to adjust tone for org leaders, riders, caregivers, and city staff.
• Self-directed on a part-time contract: you manage your own plan, trackers, and invoices; you escalate early when risks emerge.
• Mobile, AL / Gulf South experience or demonstrated ability to work credibly in a mid-size Southern city strongly preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for regular field work required.

Compensation and Benefits

• Final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience, knowledge, and skills. Salary reflected does not include equity or variable pay, where applicable
• Hourly Pay Range: $30-35/hr

Ready to join the ride?

Via is an equal opportunity employer.