Water Outreach Internship (6 months)

Who We Are:

Active San Gabriel Valley (ActiveSGV) is a community-based environmental justice and public health non-profit headquartered in El Monte. Our mission is to create a more sustainable, equitable, and livable San Gabriel Valley. We envision a San Gabriel Valley where people of all ages, incomes, abilities, and backgrounds can thrive, and where decision-making prioritizes the needs of current and future generations. Where local and regional investments help address our most pressing challenges, including the climate crisis, housing affordability, and inequity. Where elected leadership reflects and accurately represents one of the United States’ most diverse regions. Where communities pilot best practices in public policy, health, sustainability, and governance.

The San Gabriel Valley is stronger by creating quality jobs, living wages, employment mobility, a strong economy, clean water and air, accessible parks, stable and affordable housing, safe and efficient transportation, and a healthy built environment that supports sustainability. As such, ActiveSGV is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work, aiming to eliminate barriers so our communities can lead happier, healthier lives.

ActiveSGV strives to make our commitment evident across all levels: in our organizational structure, policies, board, staff, volunteers, donors, goals, and vision. We welcome people of all backgrounds and aim to maintain a culture of respect, openness, learning, integrity, honesty, and a sense of fun.

Learn more at www.activesgv.org

Internship Description

ActiveSGV seeks highly motivated Interns to support the organization's projects and outreach to SGV communities. Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Intern(s) will support ActiveSGV’s outreach efforts for projects, programs, and services to advance the organization's mission. Individuals must be organized and prioritize workload; have experience in organizing and coordinating events; be self-motivated, with the ability to work effectively in both independent and team environments; possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interact positively and effectively with colleagues, city staff and elected officials, corporate and philanthropic representatives, and community members; be comfortable working in a fast-paced, project-driven work environment; be able to work respectfully with people of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; be willing to take public and active transit for work business, and be passionate about the organization's focus area.

Primary Project Description:

Funded by Los Angeles County’s Safe Clean Water Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program, the San Gabriel Valley Water Action program focuses on creating more informed and engaged San Gabriel Valley residents who are actively involved in the stewardship of their watersheds. The Intern(s) may work on other water-related projects as needed.

The Intern(s) will be expected to work collaboratively with a program team to conduct outreach activities, including but not limited to tabling at events or highly trafficked areas, hosting community events such as bike rides and public transit adventures, and hosting trainings, workshops, and meetings.

Internship Duties:

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Distribute collateral materials at community events/destinations
• Assist in facilitating participatory action research sessions for youth and adults
• Assist with community events such as bike rides and/or public transit adventures
• Assist in translating documents into other languages
• Assist with website, newsletter copy, and social media design and development
• Assist in designing and printing collateral materials for promotion
• Other duties as assigned

This position will offer a hybrid of remote and in-person work from our offices in El Monte, CA, work from home, and work in the field. ActiveSGV strives to meet the community where they feel comfortable and conducts outreach in places and spaces that are convenient for the public. As a result, evening and weekend events and outreach are involved with this position.

Interns will work an average of 19 hours per week over a six-month period. Two internship positions are available.

Qualifications

• Passion for grassroots advocacy campaigns and/or community outreach with youth and underserved populations is preferred.
• Working knowledge concerning issues, legislation, plans, and programs related to water, sustainable transportation alternatives, environmental justice, public health and safety, economic development, human rights, sustainable living, recreation, and/or green infrastructure.

It would be great if you also had…

• Strong ties and roots in the San Gabriel Valley region
• Experience with community engagement/outreach
• Lived experience that enables an understanding of poverty and systems of oppression
• Ability to ride a bicycle or a willingness to learn how to do so
• Commitment to ActiveSGV’s mission and values

Personal Characteristics & Skills

• Able to work independently, set, manage, and meet goals, outcomes, and deadlines, with impeccable organizational skills and consistent follow-through.
• Tactful and highly persuasive, with good judgment, enthusiasm, energy, and a positive outlook.
• Willingness to lead by example by utilizing sustainable transportation and zero waste practices (e.g., use of reusable water bottles), and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, especially public speaking.
• Required: Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) or Vietnamese language skills. Must speak, read, and write fluently in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) or Vietnamese.
• An effective team player who can draw out leadership capabilities in others.

Compensation

This will be an hourly position, paying $31.25 per hour bi-weekly.

As an equal opportunity employer, ActiveSGV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.