Northwest Director

GoRail — Northwest Director

Location

Washington State or Oregon (Remote/Home-Based) Position Type: Full-Time Reports To: National Field Director Primary Territory: Idaho, Northern California, Oregon, Washington State with additional coverage to be assigned as needed

Position Overview

GoRail is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating community leaders and policymakers about the economic, environmental, and public benefits of freight rail transportation.

GoRail seeks an experienced, motivated, and highly organizedNorthwest Director to lead grasstops organizing and advocacy efforts throughout the Northwest, in assigned states including Washington State,Oregon, Northern California, and Idaho. The Northwest Director will be responsible for building and mobilizing coalitions of local elected officials, business leaders, community organizations, and other stakeholders in support of federal legislative objectives related to freight rail transportation. The successful candidate will understand how field organizing, government relations, media and communications, and grasstops advocacy work together to advance legislative priorities. This position requires an independent, proactive professional capable of developing relationships, managing multiple projects, and executing strategic outreach campaigns in a fast-paced political and policy environment.

The position is full-time and home-based in either Washington State or Oregon, with regular travel throughout the assigned territory.

Key Responsibilities

• Coalition Development: Recruit, develop, and maintain coalitions of key political figures, opinion leaders, local elected officials, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, business associations, agricultural interests, manufacturers, and other community stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Education and Mobilization: Educate and activate local and statewide organizations, elected officials, and community leaders in support of GoRail's federal legislative agenda and freight rail policy priorities.
• Grasstops Advocacy: Generate and coordinate coalition letters, resolutions, social media engagement, and other communications to members of Congress and policymakers.
• Strategic Campaign Development: Work closely with national staff to develop and execute state-specific and congressional district-level outreach strategies and tactics in assigned states.
• Research and Targeting: Research congressional targets, prospective coalition members, community organizations, business leaders, and other potential allies to identify opportunities for outreach and advocacy.
• Communications and Media Relations: Draft and coordinate opinion editorials, letters to the editor, advocacy letters, public statements, and other written communications supporting GoRail's legislative objectives.
• Events and Field Outreach: Plan and execute special projects, including press events, legislative district events, site visits, educational forums, roundtables, and Washington, DC, fly-ins.
• Regional and Industry Coordination: Collaborate with state rail associations, railroad government relations representatives, and other industry partners to identify regional transportation issues and engagement opportunities.
• Strategic Planning and Reporting: Develop regional outreach plans, maintain accurate records of contacts and activities in Quorum or other organizational CRM systems, and report regularly on progress toward established campaign and organizational goals.
• Team Collaboration: Coordinate with GoRail leadership and fellow field directors on national campaigns, emerging policy issues, and cross-regional initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of 5–7 years of professional experience in government relations, public affairs, government affairs, political campaigns, field organizing, legislative work, media relations, or a related field.
• Extensive knowledge of the political and legislative process, including demonstrated ability to recruit and mobilize individuals and organizations in support of campaign objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage elected officials, business leaders, community stakeholders, and organizations representing diverse interests.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to draft persuasive advocacy materials, professional correspondence, and public-facing communications.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently in a home-based environment while collaborating effectively with a national team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other standard professional software applications.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the assigned region, including overnight travel. Travel is expected to average approximately five days per month.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing professional relationships or extensive experience working with elected officials, business organizations, or community leaders in Northern California, Oregon and/or Washington.
• Experience developing and executing issue-based advocacy campaigns or coalition-building initiatives.
• Federal or state legislative experience.
• Experience using digital and social media in an advocacy or political campaign environment.
• Experience using Quorum or a similar CRM database for relationship management, advocacy tracking, or campaign reporting.
• Familiarity with transportation, infrastructure, freight rail, agriculture, economic development, or supply chain policy.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a resourceful, politically knowledgeable, and self-motivated advocate who enjoys meeting people, building professional relationships, and translating complex policy issues into compelling local messages. Successful candidates will demonstrate creativity, sound judgment, professionalism, strong organizational skills, and a willingness to take initiative. They should be comfortable working independently, traveling throughout the region, and turning relationships with community leaders into meaningful advocacy outcomes.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, FSA, IRA match, 16 paid holidays, generous leave, and monthly gym, internet, cell phone and dependent healthcare stipends.

Pay: From $70,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s)

* Are you based out of Oregon or Washington State?

Willingness to travel

* 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote