Job Description

Position Title: Program Associate - Transportation, Climate & Energy 

Status: Regular, Non-exempt, Full time (35 hours weekly)  

Location: Hybrid – in-person meetings in the office or at locations around the Upper Valley are required 

Hiring Range:  $30.72/hr-$34.00/hr 

Posting Date:  October, 3, 2025 

To Apply: Submit an application at . See the end of this posting for information on what constitutes a complete application.  

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Review will begin immediately. 

About Vital Communities

Vital Communities has a dedicated and passionate team who are deeply involved in the Upper Valley in their work with the organization and as community members. This informs our highly collaborative approach to work—we understand that we exist in tandem with the world around us and not in a vacuum. The organization has a long history in the community, with projects that have decades of work behind them, so we are often trying to figure out how to say yes to new projects the community wants to see. However, we also realize that sometimes we need to say not now or that another organization may be a better fit—we share the wealth! We are a flexible workplace—with our daily locations, our approaches to the work, the projects we take on as an organization, and how we make use of our time together when we are in person. This flexibility is balanced by an expectation of accountability to our colleagues, our partners, and the communities we serve.  We empower team members to work with a high level of autonomy and to take initiative. Our work is challenging and ever-changing, so we make room to laugh, but there is no need for you to be goony to join our team. To learn more about our values, please visit our Strategic Compass and JEDI principles. 

The Job at a Glance

The Program Associate leads a robust portfolio of intersectional projects, advancing innovative solutions to regional challenges, with a particular focus on communities disproportionately impacted. A core responsibility involves the Vital Communities Transportation Program, working with partners and volunteers to build a safe, reliable, multimodal transportation system for the Upper Valley. This includes initiatives like the E-Bike Lending Library, bike/pedestrian safety events, and transit trainings, aiming for affordability, community resilience, and minimal climate impact. The role also supports a region-wide Climate & Energy assessment, conducting outreach with regional and municipal partners. Opportunities for cross-programmatic collaboration, such as in Housing, are encouraged. The Program Associate may also supervise interns and volunteers. Personal transportation is required, along with willingness to work occasional nights and weekends for community events and stakeholder meetings. 

Please note that due to the fluctuating nature of grant-funded work, the project portfolio associated with this position will evolve. This position is partially federally funded so Vital Communities will not make an offer until the government shutdown is over.  

Job responsibilities 

• Manage all aspects of project lifecycle  

• Responsible for assessment, project planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement for assigned initiatives  

• Ensure projects are implemented in compliance with Vital Communities policies and procedures and funder requirements 

• Contribute to budget development and tracking 

• Manage contract invoicing and payments 

• Ensure projects leverage and build on other Vital Communities and partner initiatives for maximum impact 

• Contribute to shared measurement and analysis  

• Collaborate with program teammates and external stakeholders to establish equity-centered, results-based accountability program measures 

• Gather data to track progress over time 

• Analyze data to identify opportunities for continuous quality improvement 

• Support grant management and reporting  

• Collaborate to strengthen Upper Valley program partners, networks, and systems  

• Apply systems thinking to project management and partner engagement 

• Work with partners to design engaging public events and demonstration projects that advance regional goals and grant objectives 

• Work with Communications Manager to share program events and messaging to a broad audience 

• Represent Vital Communities in Upper Valley program networks  

• Schedule and facilitate network and public meetings  
  
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Qualified individuals will have a bachelor's degree and 2 or more years of relevant experience, or a comparable combination of relevant education and experience. Experience with rural transportation systems preferred, familiarity with Upper Valley transportation systems a plus. 

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize activities across multiple projects and apply time management best practices to achieve grant outcomes on schedule and within budget 

• Ability to operate successfully in a relationship-based culture, connecting with community members and stakeholders across varied viewpoints and philosophies  

• Clear verbal and written communication, including the ability to explain complex concepts for a variety of audiences and produce concise and engaging written content 

• Excellent group facilitation skills 

• Attention to detail 

• Experience with data gathering and analysis, including using data to drive decisions and continuous improvement   

• Familiarity with collective impact and Results-Based Accountability a plus  

Please apply for this job if you are interested, even if your experience does not meet 100% of the job description. We understand that experiences, skills, and qualifications come in many different forms. The application and interview processes are designed to give you and us opportunities to explore how your unique set of skills, experience, and perspective fit with this position.  

A resume is required. We invite you to share additional materials if you choose. This is not required. You’re welcome to send in anything else that would represent your ability to do this job, such as a cover letter, a video, an audio file, or an example of your work. Whether or not you send additional materials, or if you send more than one, is not indicative of a strong application. We offer this opportunity to support different ways of expression and communication. Please limit a video or audio file to less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds in  length.  

Vital Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or disability with respect to employment, volunteer participation, participation in our programs or events, or the provision of services. 

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