Nuestra Casa is looking for a highly skilled, energetic, and assertive individual to assist them in coordinating environmental justice projects specifically related to water justice. The Environmental Justice Fellow will support community-led water rights work, which includes a task force of residents who are investigating drinking water issues in East Palo Alto and determining an advocacy strategy for improving water quality. As a policy advocate, the Coordinator will hold elected officials accountable and ensure low-income and immigrant communities have a right to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water.

About Nuestra Casa

Nuestra Casa has been serving the needs of the immigrant Latino population of East Palo Alto and surrounding communities since 2002. The organization rose out of a community assessment conducted by a group of local activists who were concerned about the growing needs of the rising immigrant population. Today, Nuestra Casa is positioned as the premier Latino-serving nonprofit in their community. Over the past five years, their growth has allowed them to expand their services and programming into neighboring communities like Menlo Park (Belle Haven region) and Redwood City. Through their advocacy efforts, they also reach other communities in San Mateo County.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Environmental Justice Fellow is a passionate, skilled, and creative person with a high level of experience and autonomy. A successful track record of working with diverse communities is essential as is a long-term commitment to environmental and social justice. The Environmental Justice Fellow must exercise a high level of discretion, nuanced strategy, and independent judgment in the following job duties:

Community Engagement: utilize strategic community building and organizing techniques to facilitate a collaborative process for the East Palo Alto Water Task Force.
Community-driven and political education: develop activities to deepen the public’s understanding of issues identified by the community as well as the political landscape surrounding policy work at the local and state levels.
Leadership development: provide training for residents and community members to develop skills in public engagement and education.
Collaborate with partners: Liaise with academic, policy, and community-based organization partners providing technical assistance to our advocacy efforts.
Translate, interpret, and participate in multi-media campaigns by assisting in the development of culturally appropriate resource guides, articles, and brochures, as well as in the production of flyers for local dissemination.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, ensuring that community messages promote trust and cooperation.
Assist in program reporting requirements by tracking program data in the program management system.
Responsible for ensuring that all agency policies and procedures are followed.
Document and maintain a thorough record of work performed.
Perform other duties related to the environmental justice program.

Reporting Responsibilities

The Environmental Justice Fellow reports to the Executive Director.

Qualifications

Must be passionate about Nuestra Casa’s mission.
Bilingual/bicultural in English/Spanish.
A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is strongly preferred. Past work experience in the field of environmental justice is a plus.
Strong passion and commitment to social and environmental justice.
Knowledge of issues of immigrant communities and low-income people.
Ability to engage a diverse community for social justice.
Experience in leadership development and popular education are preferred.
Ability to navigate challenging situations and ambiguity.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Strong interpersonal verbal communication and writing skills, with sensitivity to appropriate delivery depending on the target audience.
Ability to understand and apply information and acquired skills
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when needed.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, and Google Apps, and ability to troubleshoot basic software and computer equipment problems.
Current California Driver’s License in good standing with a personally owned and insured vehicle to drive on work-related business.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform this job’s essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties associated with this position, the employee is regularly required to walk, drive, stand, sit, and climb steps. The employee frequently is required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone and talk and hear. The employee must occasionally bend, lift, and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include a vision to drive, vision to walk, close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Special Requirements

This position requires traveling within the surrounding community & flexibility in the afternoons, nights, and/or weekends. Requires own transportation and/or making personal arrangements to get from one place to another.

Salary

The Environmental Justice Fellow position will pay an annual salary of $55,000-$65,000. The position is for 2 years. This position is full-time and exempt with excellent health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), and paid sick, holidays, and vacation days. This job requires some onsite/community-based work, but some work can be done remotely.