Job Description

The City of Hayward, CA is working to mitigate the impacts of climate change and equitably reduce their environmental footprint through a new Climate Action Plan (CAP). The FUSE Executive Fellow will help execute transportation-related CAP strategies that will increase the use of alternative, active transportation methods for residents. Ultimately, this will help the city reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions while centering racial equity to achieve their climate goals for carbon neutrality by 2045.

Fellowship Dates: October 23, 2023 – October 21, 2024

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit working to expand social and economic opportunities, particularly for communities that have been limited by a history of systemic and institutionalized racism. FUSE partners with local governments and communities to more effectively address pressing challenges by placing experienced professionals within city and county agencies. These FUSE Executive Fellows lead strategic projects designed to advance racial equity and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 250 projects in 40 governments across 20 states, impacting the lives of 25 million people.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and local stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward regional priorities. FUSE then conducts an individualized search for each project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the communities being served. They are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects by developing actionable roadmaps and monitoring progress to completion.

Executive Fellows are hired as FUSE employees and embedded in government agencies for at least one year of full-time work. Throughout their fellowships, they receive training, coaching, and professional support from FUSE to help achieve their project goals. FUSE Executive Fellows bring diverse perspectives and new approaches to their projects. They build strong relationships with diverse arrays of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Nestled between the San Francisco Bay on the west and fire-prone hills on the east, the vibrant City of Hayward, CA confronts the stark realities posed by climate change daily. With rising sea levels and an escalating risk of wildfires, the city finds itself at the forefront of these pressing environmental challenges. Unfortunately, these climate-related conditions disproportionately affect vulnerable, historically disinvested populations, such as low-income residents, the elderly, children, and communities of color. The City of Hayward is working to protect against and prepare for these threats, and, just as importantly, is committed to doing their part to mitigate climate change and equitably reduce their environmental footprint in the future.

In 2009, Hayward became one of the first cities in California to adopt a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to make the city a more environmentally and socially sustainable community by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions — the primary contributor to the ongoing climate crisis. In 2022, the city worked to update its CAP to outline a strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and will formally adopt the plan later this year. Under the new CAP, the city outlines strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change by prioritizing the use of clean energy, using alternative transportation, properly disposing of, and generating less waste, and conserving water.

The City of Hayward will partner with FUSE to help execute transportation-related strategies outlined in the new Climate Action Plan and Local Road Safety Plan that will increase the use of alternative, active transportation methods for residents. The FUSE Executive Fellow will: conduct a listening tour of community perceptions and needs; engage with stakeholders to improve community education, awareness, and buy-in of city transportation initiatives; and research and secure funding opportunities to begin implementation of key CAP activities. This work will help Hayward reach its climate action goals to improve climate resilience so that its residents enjoy cleaner air, healthy homes, and safe and easy to use transportation options.

PROJECT SUMMARY & POTENTIAL DELIVERABLES

The following provides a general overview of the proposed fellowship project. This project summary and the potential deliverables will be collaboratively revisited by the host agency, the fellow, and FUSE staff during the first few months of the fellowship.

Beginning in October 2023, the FUSE Executive Fellow will engage with city agencies as well as community and private stakeholders to help procure funding for and begin implementing transportation-related action items outlined in Hayward’s new Climate Action Plan. Ultimately, this will help the city reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions while centering racial equity to help equitably achieve their climate goals for net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

The Executive Fellow will begin by engaging with community stakeholders and partners to conduct a listening tour that will increase the understanding of community needs and perspectives as they relate to community transportation GHG emissions and impacts, transportation safety, and effects of potential transportation-related reduction strategies. This will include identifying community partners, building meaningful relationships and community trust, establishing key contacts for advocacy and community groups, and liaising with community members to establish long-term community buy-in for CAP and Safety Plan programs.

The Executive Fellow will also develop educational materials to increase greater awareness of city transportation initiatives and host outreach and educational events for residents on a number of transportation related topics such as bicycle safety and the benefits of zero-emission vehicles. Importantly, this work will center low wealth communities and communities of color that have historically been excluded from or harmed by policy decisions and resultantly see disproportionate impacts from climate change and transportation GHG emissions.

The Executive Fellow will play a vital role in conducting comprehensive research, identifying, and actively pursuing diverse funding opportunities, such as federal grants, to effectively implement transportation-related strategies outlined in the CAP (Climate Action Plan) and Local Road Safety Plan. These strategies include:

1. Establishing and implementing a forward-thinking micro-mobility policy that encompasses a deployment protocol and a streamlined permitting process. This policy will also address safety concerns by identifying any necessary usage restrictions, while simultaneously fostering equitable access through requirements for consistent placement of micro-mobility devices (e.g., e-scooters, e-bikes) in underserved areas. Additionally, the policy may include initiatives such as reducing usage fees for lower-income users.
2. Embracing innovative transportation methods that prioritize and encourage walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation, thus promoting a healthier and more sustainable urban environment.
3. Developing and executing a comprehensive Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan that incorporates financial incentives for employees to opt for eco-friendly commuting options such as biking, walking, carpooling, or utilizing public transportation. Large employers will be required to subsidize biking, walking, or bus travel as part of this plan.
4. Collaborating with regional stakeholders to drive the expansion of public transportation services, specifically emphasizing the advancement of bus travel through AC Transit. This includes advocating for region-wide service expansion to improve accessibility and enhance the overall efficiency of public transportation.
5. When feasible, the Executive Fellow will proactively raise awareness about existing e-bike rebates and available resources that can financially support the purchase of e-bikes for lower-income users. This initiative aligns with the findings of the City of Hayward’s Micro Mobility Feasibility Study.

Through diligent research, proactive identification of funding opportunities, and strategic implementation of these strategies, the Executive Fellow will contribute significantly to the City of Hayward’s sustainable transportation objectives and its commitment to fostering an inclusive and environmentally conscious community.

By September 2024, the Executive Fellow will have overseen the following:

• Conduct a listening tour and facilitate stakeholder engagement- Engage with all relevant stakeholders, including city agencies, private partners, and community members, to better understand community needs and opinions related to transportation GHG reduction strategies; develop key relationships to help increase community buy-in; design educational materials and host community outreach/educational events on transportation related topics.
• Research and procure funding opportunities –Identify and apply for funding that will help implement CAP and Local Road Safety Plan transportation- related goals including active transportation method adoption, micro-mobility adoption for scooters and e-bikes, developing and adopting a TDM plan, and expanding public transportation service options under AC Transit; ensure community needs, perspectives, and equity for historically disinvested communities are centered in all work.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Executive Sponsor – Kathy Garcia, Deputy Director of Public Works, City of Hayward, CA
• Project Supervisor – Byron Tang, Senior Transportation Engineer, Department of Public Works & Utilities, City of Hayward, CA

QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the qualifications listed below, a background in community and stakeholder engagement, transportation, grant funding, and project management is strongly preferred for this project.

• Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
• Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
• Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to difficult challenges.
• Responds quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing and excels in both active listening and conversing.
• Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies in order to support more effective decision-making.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, and particularly including community-based relationships.
• Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
• Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy, while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal opportunity employer with core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Climate Change, Environmental, and Transportation. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 80,000 - 100,000.

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