Work with us

Riders Alliance fights for reliable, affordable, and world-class public transit for all New Yorkers. Whether we’re lobbying elected officials, organizing riders at bus stops, or hosting house parties, our team engages in meaningful work that advances our mission. We're looking for passionate, driven people to join our team.

Open Positions

Grassroots Organizing Fellow

Riders Alliance is now hiring a Grassroots Organizing Fellow, through the Johnson Justice Fellowship program. Below, you'll find information about Riders Alliance and the fellowship program.

Riders Alliance is a grassroots organization led by bus and subway riders from across the city with a shared vision: a public transit system that works for every New Yorker, in every community. We fight for reliable, affordable, world-class public transit to build a more just and sustainable New York. Together, we hold our election officials accountable and take direct action to guarantee that riders have a powerful voice in the decisions that affect us. Since we formed in 2012, Riders Alliance has successfully lobbied for service improvements on bus and subway lines, won the Fair Fares program, which offers discounted fares to low-income New Yorkers, and helped pass the country's first-ever congestion pricing program.

Johnson Family Foundation (JFF) supports the development of healthy, vibrant, and just communities where individuals, families and the next generation of leaders can thrive. JFF funds programs to improve the health of our environment; promote equality and social progress; and support education and youth.

The purpose of this fellowship is to invest in rising leaders in New York City and to support their careers in public service. Our vision is to cultivate a network of experts, elected officials, and activists who will drive policy change and help improve government so that it better serves the public in New York State.

This is a two-year fellowship that will begin September 2025 and run into September 2027, in person. Fellows will receive a salary of $70,000 - $80,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health insurance, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. Additionally, they will have access to robust networking and support from a mentor.

The application deadline is Monday, April 7, 2025.

Riders Alliance is seeking a fellow to join our team of seasoned organizers to help expand our grassroots base building and member leadership development. The fellow will work directly in communities most reliant on public transit to engage transit riders in our campaigns for more affordable, reliable, and accessible buses and subways. Working closely with our organizing team, the fellow will be responsible for supporting the growth of our leader recruitment and engagement program, including ongoing trainings, community meetings, and designing new creative ways to engage riders in the fight for better public transit.

  • Minimum of 3 years in grassroots organizing where you have demonstrated success in developing leadership, and recruiting/ retaining members.

  • Excellent people skills: ability to quickly build relationships, to listen to and persuade people, and to engage people effectively around a common goal.

  • A record of organizing in diverse settings, including low-income communities and communities of color.

  • A strong leadership presence, persuasive communication skills, excellence in public speaking.

  • Willingness to travel to neighborhoods in all boroughs of New York City.

  • Familiarity with communities in Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx and/or lived experience as a Brooklyn, Queens or Bronx transit rider.