Community Solutions Advocate

Title: Community Solutions Advocate Organization: Community Water Center Location: Based in Watsonville, CA. All candidates for this position must be able to report in-person at least two days per week for office or community engagement work. Staff are expected to report in-person more than two days a week based on job responsibilities. Organization Description The Community Water Center (CWC) acts as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy in California. CWC has offices in Visalia, Watsonville and Sacramento, CA. The Center employs four primary strategies in order to accomplish our goals: ● Educate, organize, and build the capacity of low-income communities and communities of color to address local drinking water challenges. ● Support low-income communities and communities of color in the development of drinking water solutions through technical assistance projects. ● Advocate for systemic change to address the root causes of unsafe drinking water in California. ● Serve as a resource for information and center of expertise on community water challenges. CWC’s team is passionate, dynamic, and believes in the cause of water justice and making real change that is driven directly by impacted communities themselves. Our organizing and advocacy work, community collaborations, and organizational culture all reflect a concern for equity, mutual respect, appreciation for diversity, and environmental and social justice. Position Description The Community Solutions Advocate is a full-time exempt position that will work in partnership with communities in the Central Coast to help secure access to safe and affordable drinking water in the short and long-term. This is primarily achieved by providing accurate and relevant information on local drinking water quality, conditions, and challenges; connecting residents to available resources; supporting communities to engage in local drinking water projects; and encouraging participation in local, regional and statewide policy campaigns. All employees at CWC are “at will.” This position will report directly to CWC’s Community Advocacy Manager based in Watsonville, and will work closely with other CWC staff, community partners, and allies. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of community organizing, community-driven policy campaigns, and a strong passion for environmental and social justice. Candidates will excel at this position if they are excited to work collaboratively alongside impacted community residents, other CWC staff, and government and NGO partners to remove barriers to safe and affordable drinking water. Major Responsibilities ● Facilitate access to well testing and bottled water services by: ○ Conducting outreach via door knocking, phone calls, texts and emails. ○ Helping residents navigate and access available government and NGO resources. ○ Helping residents interpret well testing results. ○ Staying current on resources available and eligibility requirements. ○ Informing the development of new programs and resources that reduce barriers and expand access to drinking water for low-income communities of color. ● Facilitate participation in the development of local drinking water infrastructure improvement projects by: ○ Sharing project information and updates with community members. ○ Coordinating community meetings and activities, including developing bilingual meeting agendas and informational materials, facilitating bilingual meetings, outreach and follow-up work with community partners. ● Facilitate engagement in policy advocacy efforts to improve groundwater management and protect drinking water quality by: ○ Informing community partners on current and relevant drinking water politics and processes at the local, regional, state and federal levels. ○ Supporting residents to attend, speak at, and/or participate in decision making processes that impact their drinking water supplies ● Support CWC’s efforts to lift up community voices through traditional and social media. ● Build community relationships, alliances, and coalitions to advance campaigns. ● Collaborate closely with CWC staff and other project partners on program work, including tracking progress on projects and campaigns, proactively strategizing to address barriers, and opportunities to lead key aspects of projects and campaigns. General Staff Duties: ● Foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation amongst staff, management, community members, and affiliate organizations. ● Attend and actively participate in staff, management, planning, and program meetings; reporting processes; and staff retreats. ● Actively participate in CWC activities such as donor drives and fundraising events. ● Provide general administrative and program support. ● Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and other Directors Note: Nothing in this position description restricts CWC’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time. Required Qualifications and Skills: ● Fluency in English and Spanish. ● Strong passion for and commitment to social and environmental justice. ● Experience working with low-income communities and/or communities of color. ● Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills, with sensitivity to appropriate delivery depending on the target audience. ● Strong interpersonal communication skills via various methods (ie in-person, telephone, email, video conferencing, and in writing) ● Outstanding organizational skills, including the ability to make progress on multiple projects concurrently. ● Ability to think strategically and understand how individual campaigns and projects fit into CWC’s overall model of change ● Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse organizations, groups, and individuals. ● Proficient with basic computer skills including, at minimum: Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and ability to troubleshoot basic software and computer equipment problems. ● Valid Driver’s License and the ability to drive on highways. ● Ability to travel within California and work some evenings and weekends. Preferred Qualifications ● Three or more years of community engagement or relevant professional experience ● Understanding of and fluency in digital organizing tools and software, including online, mobile, social media, and text platforms. ● Experience with, or knowledge of, water and environmental issues and/or community development. ● Knowledge of the political landscape in California. Starting Date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED Salary: Starting at $67,000 - $85,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications) Benefits: We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes: medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement contributions; generous vacation, family and sick leave and holiday policies; hybrid (remote and in-person) work location policy; work from home reimbursements; flex-time; professional development opportunities and more. Community Water Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. As such employees may be able to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Application To apply, email resume and cover letter to careers@communitywatercenter.org Vaccination Policy: To ensure the health and safety of staff, community partners, and other stakeholders we interact with, CWC requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, unless a medical or religious accommodation is approved before the first day of employment. As such, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. Community Water Center is committed to providing equal opportunity to qualified job applicants and employees and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability (including pregnancy), mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. To learn more about the Community Water Center, visit our website at www.communitywatercenter.org