Transit lines are lifelines in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, but Northeast PA (NEPA) transit systems need more support to get people where they need to go. That’s why Transit for All PA! Is launching two paid organizing fellowships in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties: to support transit advocates in building local demand for transit.
The statewide movement for transit funding that truly serves all Pennsylvanians is growing and strengthening. If you live in Luzerne or Lackawanna County, and you ride transit, you can leverage your experience as a transit rider to win better funding for your community!
About the NEPA Regional Organizing Fellowships
NEPA Regional Organizing Fellows will canvass local transit riders and workers, conduct rider surveys, and synthesize feedback, to identify and build a concrete, local transit demand. By developing local demands, you will shape how your community fits into the fight for abundant, reliable, accessible public transportation across the Commonwealth.
Throughout the fellowship, you will work with local organizations and the Transit For All PA! Statewide Campaign Manager to connect transit to other issue areas, and build a base of active transit riders in your community. Each regional group will meet weekly to train on canvassing, learn about local and state political power structures, and co-develop your demands and actions.
Throughout the fellowship, you will collect surveys from transit riders and workers in your community to understand their needs around transit service, infrastructure, and costs. In October, you will host a small-group survey launch event with key organizations and community leaders that are connected to transit riders and workers in your area. In November, you will testify at an agency Board meeting focused on service improvements for your community, and the need for state funding to achieve them. And in December, you will host an “organizing hub launch,” where survey respondents, riders, workers, and allies will connect to identify the community-sourced demands for transit service in your community. This serves as a kickoff for regional organizing in these communities leading into 2027.
Job Description: Transit For All PA! NEPA Regional Organizing Fellowship
Part Time: Average ~3-5 hours per week, with occasional events
Hourly Pay: $30 per hour
Start date: Mid-late September 2026
End of Fellowship: December 21, 2026
Fellowship Regions
- Lackawanna County (COLTS service area)
- Luzerne County (LCTA service area)
Job Responsibilities
As a Transit For All PA! Fellow, you will:
- Coordinate 2 transit events in your region focused on volunteer and rider recruitment, and political education alongside Transit For All PA! staff
- Lead rider canvassing at key locations in your region
- Hold virtual or in-person 1:1 meetings weekly with transit riders and supporters in your community
- Attend weekly trainings/meetings with Transit For All PA! staff and other Regional Organizing Fellows
- Host 1 transit action (board testimony, etc) in support of the transit demand you and your community create
Expectations + Skills
- E-mail and phone communication – responses expected in 24-48 hours
- Attendance at all weekly meetings unless personally arranged with Transit For All PA staff
- Attendance at October small group, in-person event in your community; November agency Board testimony event; and December Organizing Hub launch event
- Comfort talking with strangers
- Experience riding your local transit + interest in its growth
- Significant ties to the community you are serving as a fellow (live and/or work in the community)
- The ability to build professional relationships with volunteers & key stakeholders
- A willingness to learn new organizing skills and pursue future transit advocacy
Fellowship Timeline
- July 28: Fellowship application opens
- August 19: Priority application deadline
- September 2: Final application deadline
- September 1-10: Interviews
- September 21-24: Fellowship kickoff
- Mid-October-December 4: gather local transit rider surveys
- October 27-30: Small in-person meetings in each region to grow organizational + survey-gathering base
- Mid-late November: Local transit agency board testimony
- November 2-December 4: Transit worker survey gathering
- December 14-17: Local “Organizing Hub” launch events in each region
How to Apply
Please complete the application below by September 2nd, 2026. Applicants selected for interviews will be notified by September 4th, 2026. We aim to make offers to candidates by September 11th, 2026 with a start date the week of September 21st, 2026.
Additional Information
- Transit For All PA! is a program of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Fellows will report hours to Pittsburghers for Public Transit staff and are subject to the policies of the organization.
- Transit For All PA! understands that qualified candidates may not possess all of the experiences and skills listed above. If a candidate has some but not all of the ideal experiences and skills, we still encourage the candidate to apply. We value community members with lived experiences, and are dedicated to supporting fellows’ growth through this program
- Transit For All PA! is committed to building a staff that matches the diversity of the communities we organize alongside. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
- Reach out to Connor Descheemaker, Transit for All PA! Statewide Organizing Manager, with any questions: connor@transitforallpa.org
