Director of Rural Justice

CCEJN’s Vision & Mission

The Central California Environmental Justice Network’s (CCEJN) mission is to uplift low-

income communities of color in the San Joaquin Valley by ensuring access to clean air, water,

land, and food sovereignty. CCEJN’s vision is an end to environmental racism and the

achievement of economic justice and health equity through sustainable regional solutions.

Position Overview

The Director of Rural Justice is a position created to support CCEJN’s strategic priorities around

water, pesticides, and farmworker rights. The position will oversee a team of seven staff,

report to the Executive Director, and work collaboratively with the various team leaders and staff

within CCEJN.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership:

• Create a supportive and accountable work environment for Rural Justice team members; set clear goals and expectations for team members, thoughtfully give and receive feedback to staff, encourage a healthy work-life balance, promote staff’s personal and professional growth, and strive for inclusive and transparent decision-making; and
• Manage the completion and recording of grant deliverables associated with the Rural Justice Team and delegate appropriately.
• Actively participate on CCEJN’s Leadership Team which includes the Executive Director, the Director of Sustainable Food Systems, the Director of Air & Climate and the Director of Operations.

Research, Policy and Organizing:

• Strategically develop and advance research and policy priorities in accordance with community needs and input;
• Support the Executive Director in developing and implementing long-range research and policy strategy to achieve CCEJN’s mission;
• Build relationships with key coalition partners, community leaders, and government stakeholders;
• Support CCEJN staff’s legislative and regulatory engagement; and
• Support CCEJN staff in efforts to organize community, receive community feedback, conduct community education, and build community capacity.

Organizational Development

• Lead - and support the Executive Director in - grant writing and reporting activities to financially support the Rural Justice Team;
• Act as a thought leader on rural justice issues and support strategic planning;
• Support in the development and monitoring of the Rural Justice Team’s budget; and
• Work collaboratively on CCEJN’s Leadership Team to support overall organizational development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (major in sociology, environmental sciences, political science, or related field preferred); and
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• At least 2 years of experience supervising staff
• At least 3 years of professional experience with advocacy campaigns, community organizing, capacity building, coalition building and/or movement strategy in communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and/or other marginalized communities;

Desired Qualifications

• Subject-matter expertise in at least one of the following policy areas:
• Pesticide issues as it relates to environmental health and justice;
• Clean and affordable drinking water for disadvantaged communities; and/or
• Farmworker issues and workplace rights and safety.
• Professional and/or personal experience in and a passion for environmental justice;
• Experience with strategic planning, budgeting, and nonprofit fundraising;
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills;
• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends; and
• Master’s degree in public health, public administration, public policy, or related field.

CCEJN’s full-time benefits include dental insurance, health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, professional development assistance, and vision insurance.

Spanish and English