Published: Oct. 1, 2018

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Job at EJCWThe Environmental Justice Coalition for Water (EJCW) is a non-profit organization that supports grassroots coalition-building to advance environmental justice in water policy and management. We work in a community-to-capital framework that is fast-paced and strategic. We rely on humor, empathy, and candor to support one another, and we are professionally insistent on advocating for and with our community partners. Would you like to be stretched, challenged, and inspired by your work on a daily basis? If yes, keep reading.

The Environmental Justice Coalition for Water (EJCW) seeks to fill a temporary, full- time, Technical Assistance Senior Associate position in the Salinas Valley/Central Coast area of California. Ideally, the position is based, primarily, out of EJCW鈥檚 Salinas office. However, exceptional candidates, based out of Sacramento or elsewhere/remotely, will be considered.

Full-time is 40 hours per week, but will vary, depending on the work plan. Start date could be as early as October 1, 2018, and, preferably, no later than November 5, 2018. Currently, the position is set to expire on September 30, 2019; however, the possibility exists to expand job responsibilities, service territory, and grow into a long-term position, including a possible, near- term opportunity in the Bay Area.

The Technical Assistance Senior Associate will work under the supervision of the Executive Director, Central Coast Program Director, and in close partnership with and in support of EJCW community partners, member organizations, project partners, and other EJCW staffers. The Technical Assistance Senior Associate is responsible for engaging and working with small, rural, low-income, farmworker and other water-disadvantaged communities, and other stakeholders throughout the region and beyond, as part of a grant received from USDA Rural Development. Work performed may be in the technical areas of drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste operations, management, and financing.

Major job responsibilities:

  • support implementation of a USDA Rural Development grant, including leading two small water systems workshops 鈥 e.g. USDA 鈥渨orkshops in a box鈥 for small water system operators and directors;
  • plan, prepare and deliver technical training at various workshops, clinics, or community town halls;
  • plan, prepare, and provide technical assistance to nonprofit, indigenous Tribes, and neighborhood groups to improve or develop water, wastewater and solid waste systems and programs in rural communities;
  • provide direct technical assistance to community clients (in approximately distinct water systems) to identify and evaluate water quality and resource needs and long-term affordable options
  • conduct operation and maintenance testing and evaluations 鈥 work with target populations to evaluate the conditions of water and/or wastewater facilities; make recommendations for improvements, repair or staff development.
  • work one-on-one with utility operators, managers, or decision makers demonstrating proper techniques used to operate a small utility and maintain facility equipment.
  • remain current on applicable government regulations and policies; comment on the impact of proposed regulations and policies; analyze water issues and needs;
  • perform research and analysis and publish results
  • Contributing to the development of additional resources such as policy and position papers, articles, manuals, outreach, promotional, informational, and educational materials
  • prepare written reports and documentation of activities; respond to inquiries as needed.
  • develop and maintain project work plans; maintain accurate records of progress; monitor implementation and compliance.
  • Collaborate with technical consultants, subcontractors, and partners, as part of a broader team (e.g. to develop proposals for water systems financing)
  • Initiate, implement, and complete project deliverables, reporting, and invoicing.
  • Represent EJCW in regional water planning processes and decision-making, convenings, associations, regulatory meetings, and other venues relevant to water justice in the Central Coast, Bay Area, and other regions of the state.
  • Build strong, trusting relationships with target populations that face water justice issues in the Salinas Valley and Pajaro Valley areas of the Central Coast region and beyond through a variety of community-based technical assistance activities.
  • Other duties as necessary.

Qualifications:

  • Passion! Dedication! Excitement! The desire to serve.
  • Willingness to 鈥渉it the ground running鈥.
  • Commitment to the organization's environmental justice mission, purpose, and values.
  • Self-directed and organized; ability to work with minimum supervision and handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously; ability to organize and prioritize work to meet established timelines.
  • Ability to effectively listen and communicate verbally and in writing to a diverse audience.
  • Comfort and experience working with community-based organizations, recent immigrant groups and people of color, in general.
  • Strong technical and team-work skills.
  • Willingness and ability to travel and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required from time-to-time.
  • Bi-lingual (English-Spanish) a plus.
  • Licensed engineer (in California) a plus.
  • Certification in Water or Wastewater (e.g. Distribution 1 (D1) or Treatment T(T1)) a plus.
  • Utility management experience is a plus.
  • Knowledge of water and/or other natural resource policy issues (e.g. federal, state, tribal and local government agencies, programs, issues and regulations related to rural water and wastewater systems and facilities) a plus.
  • Familiarity with Salinas/Pajaro Valley and Central Coast communities and permitting processes a plus.
  • Bachelor鈥檚 Degree (minimum)
  • Additional qualifying experiences may be substituted for education

Work Environment:

  • Physical demands include: sitting, walking, driving, talking, and listening for up to 6-8 hours per day; computer keyboarding an average of 2-4 hours per day; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
  • Must provide own car, car insurance, and mobile phone.
  • Work environment is typical, non-profit office and includes frequent travel in and around Monterey County, the Salinas Valley, the broader Central Coast, and, occasionally-to- frequently, other parts of California (i.e., Bay Area, San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Imperial Valleys).

HOW TO APPLY

Applications: To apply, e-mail resume or CV and cover letter to employment@ejcw.org. Upon proceeding to the second round interview, we will ask you to submit three professional references. Include "Technical Assistance Senior Associate" in the e-mail subject line.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, with the first comparative review on October 1, 2018. First round interviews will follow thereafter.

Reasonable accommodation: If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, please provide us, in writing, an explanation of the reasonable accommodation needed. Options: Text or Relay to (916) 432-3529 and/or e-mail to employment@ejcw.org.

Hiring Timeline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. If you are viewing this job description, the position is still open and you are encouraged to apply.

Qualified applicants will be scheduled for an initial 20-minute phone interview. If you proceed to the next round, you will participate in a more in-depth interview with members of the EJCW team. This position will begin no later than November 5, 2018.

Equal Opportunity Employer: At EJCW, we practice what we preach and are, therefore, happily, an equal opportunity, at-will employer. Non-traditional applicants are highly encouraged to apply. EJCW does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

BENEFITS

Compensation: This position pays a salary of between $65,000 to $70,000, commensurate with experience, plus a $400 per month benefits stipend, (pro-rated for start date and percentage of time employed) until such time that EJCW adopts an employee benefits program. EJCW provides generous paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave (also prorated for percentage of time above 50%). It is anticipated that this position will be classified as an exempt position.