Community Solutions Advocate, Watsonville, CA

Location: Based in our Watsonville office, 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. 

Community Water Center is an environmental justice nonprofit that works alongside under-resourced communities of color to secure universal access to safe and affordable drinking water in California. We believe access to safe and affordable drinking water is a basic human right, not a privilege. CWC seeks to build an enduring movement for water justice that is powered by community activists by serving as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy. 

The Community Solutions Advocate position is a regular, exempt, full-time, salary position that will work in partnership with communities in the Central Coast to help secure access to safe and affordable drinking water. This is primarily achieved by providing accurate and relevant information on local drinking water quality, conditions, and challenges, connecting residents to available resources, and supporting and empowering communities to engage in local drinking water projects and local, regional and statewide policy campaigns.

All employees at CWC are “at will.” This position will report directly to CWC’s Community Advocacy Manager based in Watsonville, and will work closely with other CWC staff, community partners, and allies. 

Major Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of community-driven advocacy and organizing, and a strong passion for environmental and social justice. Candidates who will excel at this position are those that have core competencies and will thrive in several areas outlined in the Major Responsibilities section below. CWC recognizes that candidates may have areas of growth and the ideal candidate will be motivated to grow their skills in those areas with support from CWC. 

● Fluency in both English and Spanish (oral and written) is required to be considered for a this position ● Strong passion for and commitment to social and environmental justice. ● Strong interpersonal verbal communication and writing skills, with sensitivity to appropriate delivery depending on target and audience. ● Strong interpersonal communication skills via various methods (ie in-person, telephone, email, video conferencing, and in writing). ● Outstanding organizational skills. ● Ability to prioritize work and rearrange priorities to meet goals, as needed. ● Ability to manage your own time effectively and track progress on projects. ● Ability to work in a collaborative environment and effectively cooperate with other team members. ● Ability to work with and inspire diverse communities and age groups. ● Creative and comprehensive problem solving skills. ● Ability to think strategically and understand how individual campaigns and projects fit into CWC’s overall model of change. ● Ability to accept praise and critical feedback – the ideal candidate would value self-improvement and seek evaluation. ● Flexible schedule – willing and able to work weekends and attend night meetings and attend out-of-town events, activities and meetings as needed. ● Proficient with basic computer skills including, at minimum: Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and ability to troubleshoot basic software and computer equipment problems. ● Valid CA driver’s license. ● Have or be willing to receive COVID-19 vaccination. 

● Experience working with low-income communities and/or communities of color. ● 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. 

Starting Date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Salary: Starting at $65,000 (based on experience and qualifications). 

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes: medical, dental, vision and life insurance; retirement program contributions, generous vacation, family and sick leave and holiday policies; flexible work schedule; professional development opportunities and more. (Benefits guidelines and eligibility vary based on tenure and employment status, among other factors.) 

To apply: Email your resume and cover letter to Brandon Bollinger, Community Advocacy Manager, at brandon.bollinger@communitywatercenter.org and note Community Solutions Advocate position - [your name] in the subject line.

Please describe in your cover letter any relevant experience related to any of the following: fluency in English and Spanish (verbal and written), working directly with community members (particularly Spanish-speaking populations), and mobilizing members of the public to take action on an issue. If you do not have any relevant experience, discuss how you would approach this work. Please also share why you are interested/excited in this position.

To ensure the health and safety of staff, community partners, and other stakeholders we interact with, CWC requires employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, unless a medical or religious accommodation is approved. As such, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. 

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, gender, 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, visit our website at www.communitywatercenter.org