Job Description: CCEJN Coordinator

Full-time, permanent position with the Central California Environmental Justice Network (CCEJN)

Location:   Ideally based in Fresno, with travel to Kern County, San Joaquin Valley

Application deadline:   ASAP. Position open until filled.

Details:  The Central California Environmental Justice Network (CCEJN) and Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR) are seeking a coordinator for CCEJN’s San Joaquin Valley Cumulative Health Impact Project (CHIP) and to assist with other CCEJN ongoing work.  The CCEJN Coordinator will be responsible for implementing an exciting new community-friendly, pollution reporting program in Kern and Fresno counties (~75% time), as well as other CCEJN responsibilities (~25% time). The position will be housed within CCEJN, but will be jointly supervised by CCEJN and CPR in the first year.

Founded in 2000, CCEJN is a grassroots organization that serves as the hub of environmental justice activism in the Central Valley. CCEJN works to educate and empower communities, especially rural communities, to advocate for themselves by providing them with technical assistance and resources.

Founded in 1996, CPR is an environmental health and justice coalition of over 185 organizations committed to protecting public health, preserving environmental quality and supporting a sustainable and just agricultural system by building a diverse statewide coalition to change statewide and local pesticide policies and practices.

The current programs in Fresno and Kern were developed to overcome barriers to reporting pesticide incidents and other pollution by allowing affected community members to report issues easily, 24 hours/day, and in English and Spanish. For more information about the Fresno Environmental Reporting Network (FERN),  and the Kern Environmental Enforcement Network (KEEN).

CCEJN & CPR are seeking an organized, self-motivated, confident, English/Spanish bilingual individual to coordinate our community reporting projects on the ground in Kern and Fresno counties, and carry out other capacity building and community work for CCEJN. The ideal candidate has knowledge of pesticide and other environmental pollution issues and has experience conducting trainings, working with community members, organizing and facilitating meetings and is comfortable interacting with officials from government agencies. With funding secured for the first year, the ideal candidate will have, or be willing to acquire, foundation fundraising experience and will be responsible for fundraising for the position for future years.

Primary Responsibilities

I. Coordinate implementation of FERN & KEEN community reporting projects

A. Organize and co-facilitate monthly FERN & KEEN task force meetings

• Organize logistics for and co-facilitate monthly meetings with agency officials in Fresno and Bakersfield.

B. Receive, vet and follow up on submitted reports

• As current “problem solver,” receive and vet incoming reports for public posting on FERN & KEEN websites, and refer vetted reports to the proper agency (until such time as a government representative has been identified as problem solver for the project).
• Maintain public components of website and work with technical team for more technical needs.
• Follow up on submitted reports by contacting government agencies and partner organizations to ensure action in dealing with the issues.
• Occasional travel to sites of reports to verify whether the problem been solved or not.

C. Conduct community training & outreach

• Lead trainings, (including train the trainer trainings), in English & Spanish on FERN & KEEN for community members in Fresno and Kern Counties, and distribute relevant materials.
• Conduct outreach in English & Spanish to promote FERN & KEEN through partner organizations and in the media (arranging public service announcements, conducting interviews etc.).

II. Additional CCEJN Coordination and Capacity Building Responsibilities

• Organize and lead CCEJN quarterly meetings, and maintain CCEJN listserve
• Become familiar with and engage on cumulative impacts work in the Valley as needed
• Raise money, through foundation grants, to maintain CCEJN Coordinator position
• Work with CCEJN Board to build organizational infrastructure

Qualifications

• English/Spanish bilingual required.
• First preference: resides in Fresno. Second preference: resides in Bakersfield.
• Has own car with insurance & good driving record (will be reimbursed for mileage).
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within and between Fresno and Kern counties.
• Willingness and ability to work outside normal 9-5 business hours, including weeknights and weekends.
• Solid computer skills (use of Microsoft Excel, Word, basic web skills).
• Public speaking and training experience; the ideal candidate will also have community organizing experience.
• Familiarity with foundation fundraising and willingness to help CCEJN build organizational infrastructure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and collaborative spirit, including demonstrated ability to work in close cooperation with a team and to take independent initiative; a skilled and motivated self-starter with a good sense of humor.

Other Information

• CCEJN and CPR proactively seek candidates with a diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBT and differently-abled people to apply.
• This position has no direct administrative support.
• The position will report to CCEJN and CPR through weekly check-in meetings.
• This is a full-time, permanent position.

Compensation

Salary range: $40-$50k, plus benefits and mileage reimbursement; actual salary rate based on experience.

To apply

Please send an e-mail with “CCEJN Coordinator” in the subject line, an attached letter of interest, a resume, at least 3 work references, and short (1-2 page) writing samples in English and Spanish to pests@pesticidereform.org.

For questions about the position, please call Sarah Sharpe at 559-485-1416 or email pests@pesticidereform.org.