Host: South Bay Cities Council of Governments 
Region: Southern California
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Transportation / Mobility
Skills Needed: Community Engagement, Research, Community Outreach, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, Self-Motivated

Service Needs & Plans

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is a joint powers authority located in the southwest region of Los Angeles County with members of 16 cities and the South Bay portions of Los Angeles County. Members share the goal of maximizing the quality of life and productivity of the South Bay sub-region. The sub-region is diverse in geography, population, ethnicity, industry, and climate zones. Residential areas include both disadvantaged (based on CalEnvroscreen3.0) and affluent communities – each with their own challenges. With much ethnic diversity, several languages are spoken. The SBCCOG developed a Sub-Regional Climate Action Plan and Adaptation Plan. In addition, the SBCCOG assisted member cities in developing their own CAP and vulnerability assessments and worked with several cities on the next step which was identifying adaptation strategies.

This climate planning work identified transportation as one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the South Bay. In an effort to reduce these emissions, the SBCCOG developed a comprehensive Land Use & Transportation (LUT) strategy. The SBCCOG found through years of study that 70% of vehicle trips in the South Bay are 3 miles or less and could be accommodated with slow-speed zero-emission vehicles. Focusing on local trips, the SBCCOG incorporated the South Bay Local Travel Network (LTN) program into both the city and subregional CAPs. The LTN program creates a network of slow-speed neighborhood streets to provide micromobility users safer routes to make local trips. Micromobility is a mode of travel defined as zero-emission, slow speed vehicles including neighborhood electric vehicles, pedal bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters.

The SBCCOG is currently coordinating with city staff and stakeholders to design and implement the LTN and seeks assistance from the CivicSpark program to help implement this program.

Project Description

The Fellow will work with the SBCCOG transportation team implementing the LTN to improve access within the South Bay and expand transportations options. (The SBCCOG LTN is a local transportation system of sharrow markings and wayfinding signage to accommodate safe local trips for users of zero-emission (ZEV) micromobility modes. See more about the LTN program HERE) The Fellow will also coordinate with the South Bay member cities of Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, and Torrance as well as businesses and residents to engage stakeholders and unincorporated county areas within the SBCCOG jurisdiction.

Implementation of the LTN will focus on three main program areas – Stakeholder Engagement, Mobility Tool Creation, and LUT Chapters Update. . Under the guidance from SBCCOG staff, the Fellow will:

1) Support the team in engaging city, agency, and community stakeholders

– Facilitate and attend meetings with agencies and document activities and outcomes

– Assist with community stakeholder engagement with businesses, residents, and school districts

– Help conduct outreach events such as small micromobility ride & drive events

– Create materials to educate agencies, businesses, and residents on the benefits of the network and encourage use

– Conduct literature review on existing city schedule for roadway striping and street maintenance

2) Create a simple GIS online tool to determine residents’ mobility needs

– Using GIS software develop an online tool for residents to self-determine mobility needs

– Coordinate with the SBCCOG GIS Working Group for potential technical support

3) Draft recommendations for updating the LUT chapters of the cities and subregional CAPs

– Review city and SBCCOG subregional LUT CAP chapters and recommend updates based current trends, state and regional goals, and improved data

– Review website pages and make recommendations for updates.

Desired project outcomes include completion of robust stakeholder engagement activities including presentations, events, and educational meetings; creation of an online mobility assessment tool; draft recommendations for LUT CAP chapters; and produce content for staff reports, presentations, website, and collateral to promote use of the South Bay LTN.

Based on resource restraints facing local public agencies, the work of the CivicSpark Fellow will help increase the agency’s capacity to minimize the worst impacts from climate change as laid out in the Sub-Regional CAP and Adaptation Plan. Helping to implement the South Bay LTN will help make it easier for the South Bay community to use micromobility options reducing GHG emissions and improve mobility by taking cars off of the arterials and reducing vehicle miles traveled by encouraging local trips in smaller vehicles. Updating LUT CAP strategies will help guide cities and the subregion to remove barriers and incentivize non-micromobility travel modes and support emerging transportation technologies. This work will also include working with agencies with disadvantaged communities that are often disproportionately affected by GHG emissions and the burned of fuel costs. Disadvantaged communities are identified through CalEnviroscreen 3.0.

Desired Skills

The ideal Fellow will be curious, can work independently but also within a team, and have strong community engagement and GIS technical skills. The Fellow should have strong written and verbal communication skills; be an efficient multitasker; and have basic knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and social media platforms. They should have an interest in learning about local and regional government, mobility options, climate action, GHG emission reduction strategies, adaptation, and state and regional policy on environment. Familiarity with local government structure, governance, and graphic design skills would be a plus but not required.

Organization & Community Highlights

The SBCCOG work culture can be described as inclusive, diverse, talented, collaborative and outcome oriented. Staff members reflect a range of characteristics including race, sex, gender, age, work experience and educational background. The SBCCOG prioritizes diversity in order to gain varying perspectives that enhance the workplace environment and project outcomes.

Serving with the SBCCOG will provide opportunities to work with stakeholders across various public agencies, utilities, and non-profits in Southern California. Networking activities are abundant, along with the opportunity to develop new skills. The fellow will leave the service year with personal references and projects under their belt to add to a professional portfolio.

The South Bay region is an interesting place to live and work due to its economic and cultural diversity as well as its varying geography – inland, coastal, and hillside communities. Local neighborhoods and towns have unique styles and a variety of food, museums/historical sites, cultural activities, and recreation areas.

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid