Project Director (August 2020)

The Opportunity

Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ) and OCEJ Education Fund are an affiliated pair of multicultural, multi-ethnic 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) environmental justice organizations

that are developing grassroots leadership and advancing an environmental justice

agenda in Orange County, California. Since their formation in 2016, OCEJ and OCEJ

Education have:

• Canvassed and surveyed 4,163 people living in the Orange County communities that are most vulnerable to pollution and negative environmental impacts;

• Produced an analysis of the most pressing environmental justice issues in our region as identified by these residents;

• Organized a committee of resident leaders who want to get involved in environmental justice issues; and

• Conducted a Soil Lead (Pb) research project across multiple land uses in Santa Ana

• Documented community concerns about water quality through PhotoVoice

• Conducted community outreach to support Census participation

• Launched an integrated voter engagement program

• Launched an environmental justice organizing academy

• Built a membership of 50+ people across Orange County

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At present, OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund are fiscally sponsored projects governed by an

Advisory Board comprised of leaders with a strong commitment to environmental

justice, knowledge of Orange County, and deep connections to local Latino/a/x and Asian

American/Pacific Islander communities.

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OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund seek an experienced, highly motivated leader, organizer, and

strategic thinker to serve as Project Director. The Project Director will work in close

collaboration with the Advisory Board and other stakeholders to lead the continuing development of the organization.

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Responsibilities

• Expand and implement a large-scale grassroots outreach and civic participationprogram (field program) to engage low-income people of color in organizing, advocacy, and voting related to environmental issues that impact their lives.

• Build on existing coalitional relationships with organizational stakeholders and grassroots leaders, including representatives from local Latino/a/x Asian and Pacific Islander, and Indigenous communities.

• Develop and implement strategic campaigns to advance the project’s policy and organizing goals.

• Maintain and expand a diverse and sustainable funding base for the project, including grant writing and reporting, grassroots fundraising, major donors, and special events.

• Manage day-to-day operations of the project, including budget, record keeping, compliance, other administrative matters, and coordination with the fiscal sponsors.

• Recruit, train, and supervise project staff.

• Support and coordinate with the OCEJ Advisory Board.

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Qualifications

The ideal candidate has a combination of experience, training, and/or education that

demonstrates:

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• Self-motivation with the ability to take initiative and to be a strong team player.

• Excellent personal organization and time management skills.

• Strong commitment to environmental justice and understanding of environmental issues that impact low-income communities of color.

• Minimum five years of organizing experience in an environmental, labor, community, political, or faith-based context with demonstrated ability to organize using house meetings or a similarly strong relational power building method.

• Experience designing and utilizing popular education techniques and leadership development training.

• Proven ability to run a successful field program, such as a large-scale canvass or get-out-the-vote campaign, including familiarity with a voter database such as VAN or PDI.

• Bilingual in English and either Spanish or Vietnamese (or better yet, trilingual).

• Cultural competence and emotional intelligence to support and promote a collaborative, multi-racial, multi-ethnic environment.

• Outstanding interpersonal communications skills and love of people with a demonstrated ability to lead, inspire others to take leadership, build strong working relationships, and hold self and others accountable.

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Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time, exempt position.

• Salary commensurate with nonprofit sector for job title and experience ($60,000 to $70,000).

• Full health benefits (medical, dental, and vision).

• The position will require long and/or irregular hours of work, including evenings and weekends as needed.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable, insured means of transportation.

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To apply

Submit a one page cover letter, a one page resume, and three professional references (all in .pdf format) to ocejmedia@gmail.com by September 30, 2020, 5:00pm (PST). The anticipated interview and hiring timeline is as follows:

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August 25, 2020 - Job Announcement

September 30, 2020 - Application window closes

October 1-9, 2020 - Schedule candidate interviews

October 11-23, 2020 - Conduct candidate interviews

October 24-November 5, 2020 - Internal review of candidates

November 6, 2020 - Hire Project Director