Virginia Housing Advocacy Specialist

About CSG

Join an award-winning non-profit in the Washington, DC region with a record of success.The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington, D.C. region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. For over 27 years, CSG has advocated for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, D.C. region to grow and provide opportunities for all. Read more about our organization at smartergrowth.net and view our Blueprint for a Better Region.

Your Responsibilities

Full-time, new position, combining advocacy on housing and land use in northern Virginia with assisting on state level legislative and policy change supporting more housing in walkable, transit-accessible locations s. Northern Virginia hosts the largest and most powerful legislative delegation in the General Assembly so there is strong synergy between housing and land use advocacy and action in Northern Virginia and statewide reforms.

Examples of responsibilities and activities include:

Northern Virginia (70%)

• Coordinating with NoVA staff to develop housing and land use strategies and advocacy campaigns across northern Virginia jurisdictions
• Working in northern Virginia to strengthen support for smart growth oriented housing policies, building key partnerships, and expanding supporter base.
• Building relations with local decisionmakers and planning and housing staff in Arlington County, City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, Towns of Herndon and Vienna. Depending on capacity and opportunity, assist partners in Prince William and Loudoun?
• Partner with – coalitions and groups like the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, Housing Action Arlington, and NoVA YIMBYs.
• Develop housing and smart growth related communications in coordination with Northern Virginia Advocacy Manager and the Communications Director to educate and engage supporters

State policy work (30%)

• Work with the Executive Director on defining our state policy and legislative positions.
• Building relationships with key state legislators and staff ahead of the General Assembly sessions, and spending 50% of time during sessions focused on legislation
• Mobilize Northern Virginia residents to weigh in with the state legislature.
• Build support among local jurisdictions for legislative agenda
• Supporting statewide housing coalitions and partners, jointly creating a state housing agenda, and seeking Executive Branch and Legislative action
• Be prepared to spend about two days per week in Richmond during the 45-day (2025, 2027) and 60-day (2026, 2028) sessions, meeting with legislators and fellow advocates, and attending legislative committee hearings Some travel to Richmond for committee and advocate meetings will take place during the rest of the year.

Required Qualifications

• Commitment to CSG’s core values, mission and vision, and positive outlook and passion for winning change
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles
• Three to four years of relevant experience in advocacy, housing policy, land use policy, and/or community engagement (including volunteer and internships)
• Experience developing and implementing successful advocacy campaigns
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with ability to convey clear and compelling messages for varied internal and external audiences
• Customer Relations Management (CRM) systems experience, including managing contact lists, creating advocacy campaigns and sending email messages through an online messaging/advocacy software (EveryAction preferred)
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and deadlines
• Ability to work on numerous deadline projects simultaneously, at varying stages of production
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative abilities, including the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and work styles

Preferred Qualifications

• A working knowledge of local housing, transportation, and land use issues in the DC area
• Experience and confidence in speaking in public in a positive and engaging way, and with tact and diplomacy
• Proficiency in speaking, writing, and reading in Spanish is a plus