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. 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%)

• Coordinate with NoVA staff to develop housing and land use strategies and advocacy campaigns across Northern Virginia jurisdictions.
• Strengthen support for smart growth-oriented housing policies, build key partnerships, and expand the supporter base.
• Build relationships with local decisionmakers and planning/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 the Northern Virginia Advocacy Manager and Communications Director to educate and engage supporters.

State Policy Work (30%)

• Work with the Executive Director to define our state policy and legislative positions.
• Build relationships with key state legislators and staff ahead of General Assembly sessions, and spend 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 the legislative agenda.
• Support statewide housing coalitions and partners, jointly create a state housing agenda, and seek 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, vision, and a 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 communication skills with ability to convey clear and compelling messages for varied audiences.
• Experience with CRM systems including managing contact lists, creating advocacy campaigns, and sending emails via messaging/advocacy software (EveryAction preferred).
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple deadline-driven projects at various stages of production.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse teams and communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of local housing, transportation, and land use issues in the DC area.
• Experience and confidence in public speaking, with tact and diplomacy.
• Proficiency in Spanish (speaking, writing, reading) is a plus.

Compensation

This is a non-exempt/hourly position with benefits. Salary range: $28.84 to $33.65 per hour (equivalent to $60,000–$70,000 annually), commensurate with experience and demonstrated outcomes. This position is tied to a two-year grant. Renewal is intended but not guaranteed beyond the initial term.

Benefits

CSG, through its parent organization The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), offers a comprehensive benefits package:

• Two health plans (83% employer-paid for employee-only, 73% employer-paid for dependents).
• Short & Long Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity Insurance*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750/year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent care)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service (100% vested from day one)
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• 24 days of PTO per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid volunteer leave
• Salary Continuation Leave for illness – from 2 to 8 weeks of fully paid leave every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty, and Military Service Training leave
• Travel Expense Reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees

*Indicates 100% PEC-paid premiums for employee coverage.

Office Location

CSG has operated virtually since the pandemic and is considering shared office space, possibly in early 2025. Residency within Northern Virginia is preferred, or within the DC region accessible to Northern Virginia and Richmond. Periodic evening and weekend work is required and balanced with weekday flexibility.

Application Process

Interested applicants should email [email protected] with a resume, writing samples (e.g., social media samples, communications plans) or online portfolio, and 1–2 paragraphs answering:

Give an example of a policy campaign that you executed from start to finish. What was your strategy? What were the deliverables, stakeholders, power mapping, grassroots and communications approaches, etc? What were the end results?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by June 16, 2025.

Hiring Process

If you’re a good fit, CSG will contact you within three weeks of your application. The process includes:

• Phone interview with the Executive Director and Northern Virginia Advocacy Manager
• Panel interview with the full team
• Short PowerPoint presentation
• Reference check

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

The Coalition for Smarter Growth is committed to DEIJ in all aspects of its mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, military service, or any other protected characteristic. Read more about our DEIJ commitments.

We value diverse experiences and encourage all qualified individuals—including those with unpaid or volunteer experience—to apply. Passion and varied backgrounds contribute to innovation and excellence.

Accessibility and Background Checks

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application or interview process.

If selected, a background check will be conducted.