Energy Justice Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

CEJA is seeking a creative and proactive Energy Justice Manager to join our program team. The Energy Justice Managers report to CEJA’s Energy Director and work closely with CEJA program staff, Alliance members, and allies. As a key member of one of CEJA’s core programs, they work to: put environmental justice at the center of the energy debate; retire gas-fired power plants in California; advocate for policies and investments for community-scale renewables to maximize distributed energy resources in the grid; advance fossil fuel phaseout by protecting EJ communities from harmful hydrogen projects and other false solutions. The Energy Justice Managers exercise good judgment, maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities, and enjoy working within a diverse organization that is mission-driven and community-oriented. Our ideal candidate has a strong organizing background and energy justice advocacy campaign-related experience.

This is a regular, full-time, exempt, at-will position.

LOCATION/EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

The Energy Justice Manager position is mostly remote but will require occasional travel to CEJA’s hubs in Sacramento, Oakland, and Los Angeles, and to other locations throughout California. The Energy Justice Manager must be a resident of California. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Committee Management: In close collaboration with the Energy Director, manage the ongoing work of relevant CEJA energy committees, workgroups, coalitions, and/or campaigns – comprised of CEJA member and partner organization staff – including preparing, facilitating, and following up on committee meetings and retreats.
• Committee Workplan: Co-lead the development and implementation of the relevant CEJA energy committees, workgroups, coalitions, and/or campaigns’ annual workplans.
• Organizing and Outreach: Organize CEJA members to engage in energy justice advocacy and campaigns, committee work, and collaborative decision-making; provide capacity-building through one-on-one meetings and training; foster strong working relationships within CEJA.
• Energy Justice Policy: Co-lead the development of energy-related policy proposals, in coordination with committee members, relevant CEJA Directors, and other CEJA staff and play a leading role in implementing CEJA’s energy justice work; ensure progress toward deadlines and goals while adapting as necessary.
• Coalition Building: Build and foster strong working relationships within the Alliance, with CEJA members and partners; build relationships with external environmental justice coalitions to advance CEJA’s energy justice goals; promote issue-area alignment with allies and coalitions and provide leadership on EJ-related issues in those spaces.
• External Representative: Serve as one of CEJA’s external representatives, cultivating and furthering relationships with a variety of decision-makers and stakeholders, including elected officials, labor unions, and social justice organizations and coalitions. 
• Communications: Work closely with the communications team and the Energy Director to develop timely and relevant communications materials; as requested by the Communications Director and Energy Director, serve as a media spokesperson on CEJA’s Energy Justice work. 
• Advocacy: Participate in events to advance CEJA’s program goals, as requested by the Energy Director, including advocating before the state legislature, executive branch, and regulatory agencies; support policy analysis of climate-related regulatory and legislative proposals.
• Event Planning and Coordination: Plan and lead events in collaboration with CEJA staff and member organizations to promote community building, advance energy justice campaign strategies, and provide spaces for community-led education on energy-related issues.
•  Fundraising: Support CEJA’s development staff in preparing grant proposals and reports, as needed. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Deep commitment to environmental, racial, social, and economic justice and CEJA’s mission.
• Expertise in environmental justice issues and familiarity with California’s EJ policy landscape, community, and advocacy groups. 
• Successful track record of at least four (4) years of experience working in the environmental justice field.
• Outstanding organizing and communications skills (written and verbal), with the ability to facilitate understanding across multiple audiences. 
• Ability to develop and facilitate Alliance-wide meetings and retreats that engage all members in campaign planning and decision-making. 
• Ability to navigate and advocate before various policy-making bodies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Environmental Science, Political Science, City and Regional Planning, or related field.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and online systems like Google Docs and Box; internet fluency; strong web research skills.
• Highly detail-oriented, accountable, self-starter, and able to work independently.

APPLICATION/DEADLINE: To apply for the Energy Justice Manager position, please submit your application along with your resume and cover letter to the CEJA career webpage at https://caleja.bamboohr.com/careers. 

Applications submitted by May 2, 2024, will receive priority review.

The California Environmental Justice Alliance is an equal-opportunity employer. CEJA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

BENEFITS: CEJA offers a generous benefits package, including an excellent orientation program; generous vacation (10 to 25 days per year); 11 paid holidays; 2-week paid winter break (December 19 through January 1), select health, dental, and vision insurance, medical reimbursement plan, wellness leave (12 to 18 days per year), 401(k) retirement plan, professional development funding, and a two-month sabbatical after seven years of continuous employment. CEJA is currently piloting a 32-hour, four-day work week, during which staff work Monday through Thursday.