Current bilingual Opening at Sonoma Ecology Center

This is a great opportunity at the Sonoma Ecology Center. There are a few grants that will support outreach to disadvantaged communities in Sonoma Valley about challenges to the local watershed and community health. They are looking for a smart, well-organized outreach coordinator who is bilingual and bicultural to do this work.

SONOMA ECOLOGY CENTER

Beautiful. Sustainable. Sonoma.

WATERSHED OUTREACH COORDINATOR (BILINGUAL)

Classification: Reports to:

Non-exempt Director of Development

Full-time (32-40 hours per week)

Wage range: $22-$25 per hour

Who We Are:

Sonoma Ecology Center is a 27-year-old nonprofit with a mission to work with our community to identify and lead actions that achieve and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley. We are respected throughout the North Bay and beyond for our contributions to important initiatives in land, water, biodiversity, and climate.

Each year, we provide in-depth environmental science instruction to over 1200 students, manage over 4,000 acres of public and private land including Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, raise thousands of native plants and restore critical native habitat, and provide research and technical support on timely issues affecting the region. We have over 20 professional staff and manage numerous large grants and contracts, often in partnership with other nonprofits and agencies that, by working together, significantly leverage our work and impact.

Position Summary:

We are seeking bilingual candidates who are committed to inspiring a diverse community to appreciate and improve their local environment. This position is a key component of the SEC’s Community Engagement Team, which is supervised by the Director of Development. The Bilingual Coordinator will be primarily responsible for managing, planning, and leading community-based projects including workshops and public events; preparing and distributing outreach materials; and serving as a liaison between SEC and the community at large, including the underserved population. The Watershed Outreach Coordinator will also collaborate with project managers to satisfy the deliverables of specific grants and initiatives. One must be passionate and highly motivated, have strong attention to detail, and can execute defined projects efficiently and promptly.

Integrated Regional Water Management Plan – Disadvantaged Community (IRWMP DAC) Program Coordination (40%)

 Coordinate with partner organizations to develop joint marketing materials, plan events, gather data and submit reports

 Create surveys written in English and Spanish

 

 Conduct community needs assessments through well-organized listening sessions, meetings, public forums, and through surveys

 Create a means to track attendance

 Collate and assess identified issues that are important to the community

 Obtain landowner permission when required

 Lead bilingual site visits

 Orchestrate presentations, using maps, data, and other outreach materials to communicate with diverse audiences, including Spanish materials

 Reconvene partner organizations to discuss identified issues

 Provide actionable input on possible solutions

 Report on needs assessment results and next steps

 Work with GIS Manager to integrate maps and data results into reports and presentations

 Collect mandatory waiver and release forms

Other Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordination (40%)

 In conjunction with our Restoration and Research project managers, plan and execute community volunteer events. Such as, watershed cleanups, tree planting days, water quality testing, and vegetation management

 Train volunteers, provide tools, and safety equipment when needed

 Reach out to local businesses to procure donated refreshments

 Set up and break down refreshment table

 Ensure all volunteers sign a waiver and release before performing any work

 Collect, track, and manage volunteer event data, so that we can affirm the positive effects of our community engagement

 Conversely, evaluate events that do not live up to expectations and identify areas for improvement

 Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to pursue businesses with community service initiatives

 May directly supervise up to 15 volunteers. Larger groups will have additional SEC staff

 Always represent SEC in a professional and positive manner

Administration and Other Responsibilities (20%)

 Track budgets, write reports and satisfy grant/contract requirements

 Identify funding opportunities and work with Grants and Planning Manager to generate proposals

 Submit volunteer data to Volunteer Coordinator

 Summarize and report outcomes to program and project managers

 Accurate time management and time tracking

Please Note:

The responsibilities and the percentage of time will vary from week-to-week depending on programmatic needs and funding sources. One must be flexible and open to change as these responsibilities may change over time.

Qualifications and Abilities:

 Bilingual, culturally aware, and keenly sensitive to the needs of diverse communities

 College degree, preferably in communications or environmental science or 2 years of relevant work experience

 

 Experienced public speaker, undaunted by diverse and passionate audiences

 Grant management experience, including writing proposals and budgeting, is a plus

 Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, primarily PowerPoint, Word, and Excel

 Experience as a Community Organizer or Community Group Spokesperson is a plus

 Knowledge of and enthusiasm for the Sonoma Valley Watershed

 Maintain positive relationships with numerous stakeholders, including governmental agencies, other nonprofits, community groups, educators, landowners, and volunteers

 Ability to collaborate with SEC staff to successfully carry out cross-programmatic outreach and events

 Willing to ask for help

 Ability to remain calm under challenging circumstances

 Communicative, collaborative, collegial, polite, and outgoing

 Must be able to pass DOJ/FBI background check as well as a DMV check

 Valid driver’s license and must maintain at least the minimum of personal auto insurance and has a reliable vehicle

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Work will be performed both in the field and in the office. In the office, one will use a computer, phone, copier, and may sit for long periods of time. Fieldwork will include bending, stooping, kneeling, wading, and standing for long periods of time. One may be exposed to the inclement weather during workdays. Educational and outreach work will be performed in classrooms, community centers, offices, etc. require lifting folding tables (40 lbs.), and boxes containing outreach materials (10 lbs.), and setting up pop-up tents.

Evening and weekend work is required for public meetings, volunteer days, and other community outreach efforts.

All qualified applicants will be given equal consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, veteran, military status, genetic information, and marital status or familial status.

Benefits:

After successful completion of the 90-day introductory period, full-time employees are offered the following:

Eligibility to enroll in one of two Kaiser Permanente health insurance plans, of which, SEC pays half of the employee’s premium (not that of dependents), paid holidays, vacation accrual, sick accrual, and the ability to enroll in a self-funded TIAA 403(B) account.

How to Apply:

Please send your cover letter, resume, and three references, to Celina Briggs, Human Resources Specialist, humanresources@sonomaecologycenter.org, preferably in one PDF document. No phone calls, please.

If you need assistance in the application process or during the interview process, please contact the Human Resources Department. We will try to provide reasonable accommodations when considered appropriate.