Community Solutions Advocate

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About Community Water Center

Community Water Center (CWC) is building a movement for community-driven water solutions. 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. 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.

Duties

Ideal Candidate The Community Solutions Advocate will be primarily responsible for organizing communities to advance solutions to address drinking water concerns in their project area, and advocate to address any barriers to advancing the Human Right to Water. They 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, bottled water services, and hauled water by: o Conducting outreach via door knocking, phone calls, texts, and emails. o Helping residents navigate and access available government and NGO resources. o Helping residents interpret well testing results. o Staying current on resources available and eligibility requirements. o 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 long term drinking water projects such as consolidation with a nearby water system, treatment, water recharge and other infrastructure improvement projects by: o Sharing project information and updates with community members. o 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: o Informing community partners on current and relevant drinking water politics and processes at the local, regional, state and federal levels. o 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. • Actively manage and advance drinking water projects by collaborating closely with other CWC staff and project partners on tracking progress on projects and campaigns, proactively strategizing to address barriers, and opportunities to lead key aspects of projects and campaigns. General Duties • Facilitate team meetings, strategy development sessions and other events • Support and contribute to internal reporting processes; fundraising efforts and staff retreats. • Actively participate in program strategy, planning, tracking and reporting, and staff meetings. • Actively participate in CWC fund development activities, such as donor drives, online appeals, and other events • Other duties as assigned Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications • Three or more years of community engagement or relevant professional experience • 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 manage and advance 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: Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and ability to troubleshoot basic software and computer equipment problems. • Valid Driver’s License and the ability to drive long distances and on highways. • Ability to travel within California and work some evenings and weekends. Preferred Qualifications • 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.

Application instructions

Application: To apply, email resume and cover letter to [email protected]

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