Los Angeles Waterkeeper (LAW), a dynamic environmental nonprofit organization that fights for the health of the region’s waters and communities, is seeking a highly motivated, outgoing and well-organized individual to join our team as Community Engagement Coordinator. This position will manage LAW’s community outreach and engagement activities such as cleanups, tabling at events throughout the LA region, k-12 and community educational efforts, supporting LAW’s signature events, volunteer activities, and maintaining strong relationships with LAW’s partners. Candidates should have experience in community and/or volunteer engagement, environmental education or similar fields. This position will work under the Development & Communications Director and support various staff.
Start Date – As soon as possible, with a target start by February 1, 2023
Responsibilities:
- Community Outreach – Lead LAW’s community outreach efforts aimed at recruiting new volunteers and members and informing the public about LAW and the water issues facing the LA region, including tabling at events throughout LA County (e.g., Earth Day, street & environmental fairs, etc.); attending and participating in other community events (with particular emphasis on increasing LAW’s participation in events in frontline communities); and upgrading and managing LAW’s tabling and outreach materials.
- Education – Serve as LAW’s liaison and lead efforts to partner on outdoor and environmental education programs, such as CalSOL, and lead education efforts around water conservation (e.g., Dashboard.Earth app platform) and general water literacy efforts.
- Volunteer Engagement Activities – Lead LAW’s beach and river cleanup program, including coordinating regular corporate and partner cleanups, decentralized virtual cleanups and larger events like Coastal Cleanup Day and Plastic Free July; support LAW’s Science & Policy Manager in implementing various volunteer water monitoring activities (RAFT, Community Water Watch).
- Volunteer Management – Work with LAW’s program staff to support volunteer and intern recruitment to support programs (cleanup, monitoring, marine) and events, and establish and sustain a volunteer core that is trained and knowledgeable in LAW’s programs; lead efforts to professionalize LAW’s volunteer program, including developing an overall volunteer plan, creating a database of volunteer opportunities, updating and maintaining the volunteer manual, and identifying successes and shortcomings in regard to volunteer recruitment and retention.
- Communications – Support LAW’s communications consultants in creating and maintaining outreach and education materials, including supporting the website, e-newsletter and social media.
- Event Support – Work with LAW’s Development & Communications Director to develop and implement the annual LAW events plan that includes clear goals, objectives and action plans to achieve desired outcomes; support LAW’s signature Making Waves fundraising event; help develop and support other educational, engagement and programmatic events (e.g., LA River forum).
- Community Partnerships – Develop and sustain strategic partnerships around engagement efforts (e.g., Cool Blocks LA, CalSOL, Living Schoolyards, etc.), expanding collaborations with environmental & social justice advocates, community-based organizations (CBOs), and Indigenous communities throughout the region.
- Development Support – Participate in grant-writing and reporting where relevant to program activities.
Qualifications & Requirements:
The Community Engagement Coordinator will be a personable, creative, dynamic, well-organized, and highly motivated person with experience in community and/or volunteer engagement and a strong interest in environmental protection. Preferred qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree, ideally with a focus on the environment, environmental justice or water systems.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in community engagement, environmental education or related field.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex environmental policy issues into understandable and compelling language to inform and engage the public.
- Proven capability of successfully working in diverse communities.
- Spanish language proficiency a strong plus.
- Skilled at project management including ability to develop and oversee timelines, task lists and budgets.
- Ability to prioritize goals in line with our strategic direction.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, nonprofit setting. Must be comfortable juggling multiple projects under tight deadlines and adopting new skills as necessary.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in online organizational and communications tools, particularly the Microsoft suite, Asana, Canva, MailChimp, the Adobe Creative Suite, and Salesforce.
- Ability to thrive in a small team environment where teamwork, creativity, and flexibility are valued.
- Experience with grant writing and reporting is a plus.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
- Evening and weekend work is required for cleanups and events throughout the year.
- Travel within LA County and access to reliable automobile
- Able to work on a computer for up to 8 hours a day and sit at a desk for extended periods; able to read a computer screen and manual dexterity to operate a keyboard.
- Able to speak clearly on the phone and in person and be understood by others.
- Able to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
- For events, meetings, and a safe return to the office, COVID-19 vaccine will be required from all staff (medical exemption must be authorized by a medical professional).
Salary, Benefits & Terms
Salary – $55,000 – $58,000 based on experience. This is a full-time, non-exempt position that reports to the Development & Communications Director.
Benefits:
· paid health, vision, and dental insurance
· 403(b)-retirement plan with match
· hybrid work option (remote and in-office)
· generous paid time off policy
· 13 holidays observed annually
· Winter break Dec 25 – Jan 1
To Apply
We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please apply online, or submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to careers@lawaterkeeper.org by January 6, 2023.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. LA Waterkeeper encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Persons with Disabilities, Women and Gender-nonconforming people especially in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented. We do not discriminate based on any class protected by law.
About Los Angeles Waterkeeper
LA Waterkeeper was founded in 1993 to fight for the health of the region’s waterways, and for sustainable, equitable and climate-smart water supplies. We envision the region as an international leader on integrated, sustainable, and equitable water management; a region that is water self-sufficient, and where all waterways throughout the county are safe, healthy, and accessible to the public. Learn more at lawaterkeeper.org.
