Program Manager, EJCB

Date Posted: 8/8/2024
Department: Programs
Type of Employment: Full-Time

Position Title: Program Manager, Environmental Justice Capacity Building

Reports to: Director of Climate Initiatives 

Status: Full-time, Exempt (This position is grant-funded for a 3-year project term, with the opportunity for extension if funds become available)

Location: Iowa

Travel: 10-15% travel required within Iowa

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Program Manager will be responsible for implementing IEC’s EPA Collaborative Problem-Solving grant project to enhance leadership and capacity for environmental justice (EJ) in Iowa. This position is currently funded for a three-year term. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of EJ issues, community engagement strategies, and project management skills. The manager will work closely with diverse stakeholders, including underserved communities, environmental organizations, government agencies, and contractors to facilitate leadership development, community organizing, and collaborative problem-solving efforts. The manager will work toward a future where Iowans who face the greatest environmental justice burdens, including high energy costs, elevated pollution, and more, have the training, education, and resources to work collaboratively to solve local community challenges. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management and Implementation: 

• Oversee the day-to-day implementation of the project, ensuring alignment with the project goals, timeline, and reporting. 
• Coordinate with IEC staff, partner organizations, and community leaders to execute project activities effectively. 
• With Finance & Operations Administrator, manage project budget and reporting. 
• With Communications staff, develop, write, and review website updates, blog posts, educational materials, social media posts, etc. related to the project. 
• Monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and adapt strategies and timelines as needed to achieve project objectives. 
• Provide logistical aid and offer resources to support local partners in the capacity-building process, including reporting and compliance requirements. 
• Maintain communications with EPA grant officer to provide project updates and ensure compliance with grant agreements. 

Community Engagement and Capacity Building: 

• Working with local community organizations, recruit and convene diverse cohorts of local leaders and stakeholders in priority communities to participate in leadership development activities, including seeking to build connections and consensus through training sessions, discussions, and workshops. 
• Coordinate with project partners and local leaders to understand each community's needs to provide resources and technical assistance to respond to community-specific EJ concerns. 
• Maintain regular communication and engagement with partner organizations to ensure a cohesive approach to capacity building and community engagement. 

Leadership Development: 

• Manage work with a contractor to develop an EJ curriculum for leadership cohort participants.  
• Using EJ curriculum and in partnership with community organizations, deliver in-depth training sessions covering topics such as the collaborative problem-solving model, environmental justice issues, stakeholder analysis, engagement with local and state governments, and community organizing. 
• Foster cohesive relationships and collaboration among cohort members to build a network of environmental justice leaders. 
• Support cohort members in identifying and addressing specific community issues through the U.S. EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model. 

Technical Assistance and Resource Mobilization: 

• Collaborate with cohort participants, government agencies, and community-based organizations to identify and leverage resources and expertise to advance project activities.  
• Provide ongoing support, technical assistance, and connections to resources for cohort members as they identify community issues and work to address them. 
• Facilitate connections between underserved communities and local, state, and federal decision-makers and available funding and technical assistance resources. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, public policy, communications, or related field, or equivalent work experience. 
• Demonstrated experience in project management, community organizing, and leadership development. 
• Knowledge of environmental justice issues, social equity principles, and community engagement strategies. 
• Strong verbal and written communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and navigate complex organizational and political landscapes. 
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and empowering underserved communities to advocate for environmental justice. 
• Willingness and ability to travel and meet independently with individuals and organizations and attend events statewide; must have valid driver’s license. 
• Must be a U.S. citizen to comply with federal funding requirements. 

Desirable:

• The ideal candidate would have a demonstrated record of strong relationships and work experience with diverse stakeholders and community-based organizations in Iowa.
• Experience in community organizing and leadership development.
• Experience with grant reporting, especially federal grant reports.

Benefits  

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Employer Matched Simple IRA
• Flex Savings Account
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Family Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parking
• Hybrid Work Environment (remote work will be considered for the right candidate)

Compensation:  $50,000 – $55,000

Iowa Environmental Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic community engaged with working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to smith@iaenvironment.org by Aug. 30, 2024. Applications that have not been emailed by 5 p.m. on Aug. 30 will not be considered.