Community Solutions Manager

Location: Based in Watsonville, CA, serving communities in the Central Coast. CWC believes our mission can be effectively advanced while being flexible in our approach to work style and location. All candidates for this position must be able to work in-person out of our Watsonville office at least two days per week and are expected to report in the office, attend public meetings, and/or conduct community outreach and advocacy more than two days a week if needed 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. We seek to build and enhance leadership capacity and local community power around water issues, create a regional movement for water justice in the Central Coast and the San Joaquin Valley, and enable every community to access safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. 

Position Description: The Community Solutions Manager is a full-time exempt position that will be primarily responsible for providing technical support, analysis, and resources to assist communities in making informed decisions on the best drinking water solution(s) for their needs. In some cases, CWC provides this support independently based on in-house expertise and consultation with outside experts. In other cases, CWC collaborates with consultants contracted through state-funded technical assistance contracts. The Community Solutions Manager is expected to work directly with the community advocacy, organizing, and policy teams as well as other CWC staff and interns; and will coordinate with community partners, government agencies, contracted consultants, technical advisors, and affiliate organizations. The Community Solutions Manager will also support the development of draft plans for communities in the Central Coast to develop interim and long-term solutions to water access challenges and tools for communities to understand and engage in the process of decision-making. They will work closely with Community Solutions Advocates to ensure these plans are communicated effectively to community partners and provide opportunities for community engagement and action. This position will require travel to communities throughout the Central Coast, the Central Valley, and Sacramento as needed. (CWC staff are not currently travelling due to the COVID emergency.)

The Community Solutions Manager will report to the Director of Community Solutions in the Watsonville office. All employees at CWC are “at will.” 

Required Qualifications: ● Experience reviewing technical analyses and information in public, private or non-profit sectors, preferably related to drinking water, the environment, health, and/or social justice; and synthesizing technical information for non-technical audiences. ● Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills, with sensitivity to appropriate delivery depending on target audience. ● Fluency in English and Spanish. ● Project management experience, including oversight of project contractors (e.g. consultants working on specific technical aspects of a larger environmental project), and scope, budget and schedule development and tracking. ● Experience managing other staff as a direct supervisor and/or as the lead of a project team. ● Outstanding organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. ● Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse organizations, groups, and individuals. ● Ability to work independently and in a team setting. ● Experience working with low-income communities and/or communities of color. ● Ability to be detail-oriented and think analytically, creatively, and critically. ● Ability to analyze drinking water technology information, develop cost estimates, and develop tools to optimize choices in interim solution systems. ● Valid Driver’s License. ● Ability to travel within California and work some nights and weekends. ● Proficient with basic computer skills including, at minimum: Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and ability to troubleshoot basic software and computer equipment problems. ● Bachelor's Degree in engineering, environmental science, or related degree. An advanced degree (masters or PhD) is an asset, but is not required. 

Preferred Qualifications: ● Professional Engineering license in the state of California, or the interest and ability to attain one. ● Experience or familiarity with groundwater quality and management, drinking water wells, drinking water treatment, and piped drinking water systems. ● Experience working on drinking water projects and/or public policy. ● Experience planning and facilitating meetings with diverse stakeholders. ● Experience working with management and analysis of databases, including geospatial data (GIS). 

Starting Date: Open until filled

Salary: Starting at $75,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)

Application: To apply, email resume and cover letter to Heather Lukacs: heather.lukacs@communitywatercenter.org

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes: medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous vacation, family and sick leave, and holiday policies; flexible work schedule; professional development opportunities and more.

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, 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 and our programs, visit our website at: www.communitywatercenter.org