Community Advocacy Manager

The Community Water Center (CWC) is an environmental justice nonprofit that works directly alongside impacted communities towards the goal of securing 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 Advocacy Manager position is a full-time, exempt employee position that will be primarily responsible for leading CWC’s community outreach, community education, and community mobilization efforts to support CWC’s local community drinking water solutions and local and state policy advocacy campaigns. This position will manage 1-4 staff, who are primarily or all Community Solutions Advocates, who will work in and with communities in the Southern San Joaquin Valley to help secure access to safe and affordable drinking water through empowering communities to engage in local drinking water projects and local/regional/statewide policy and political campaigns. The Community Solutions Advocacy Manager will report directly to the Central Valley Program Director or another position as assigned in the Visalia Office and will work closely with other CWC staff and organizational partners. All employees at CWC are “at will.” 

● Manage and implement (via your work and overseeing a team of CWC staff) CWC’s community outreach, community education, and community mobilization efforts to support CWC’s local community drinking water solutions and local and state policy advocacy campaigns work across the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

● Provide strategic vision and direction (along with staff and community members and organizational partners) for building CWC’s community organizing and local/state community solutions advocacy team.

● Supervise and manage 1-4 CWC staff to ensure that CWC’s campaigns and community engagement and mobilization strategies are producing wins.

● Identify barriers to community drinking water solutions and pro-actively coordinate with impacted community residents and other members of CWC’s team to develop a community-driven advocacy action to address barriers.

● Identify, recruit, train, and support local community leaders and advocates from low-income communities and communities of color throughout the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

● Oversee the development, tracking, and reporting of organizing and community engagement goals, outcomes, and performance metrics for the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

● Monitor, evaluate, seek feedback on, and update community organizing and advocacy strategies to ensure quality and effectiveness.

● Help CWC build relationships, alliances, and coalitions that are strategic to support our work.

● Support community member communications activities, including engagement with media to support community drinking water campaigns and policy advocacy.

● Supervise and manage 1-4 CWC staff to ensure that CWC’s local/state policy advocacy campaigns, and the community engagement and mobilization strategies we utilize to support our policy advocacy campaigns are producing wins.

● Advocate (via your work and overseeing a team of CWC staff) for community water needs through participation in stakeholder meetings and represent community water needs through direct testimony before regional and state legislative and administrative bodies.

● Participate (via your work and overseeing a team of CWC staff) in local and statewide coalition efforts to develop and/or advocate for just and sustainable water policies.

● Support (via your work and overseeing a team of CWC staff) the development of community-focused materials such as handouts, presentations, etc.

● Foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation amongst CWC staff, community members, and affiliate organizations.

● Actively participate in program strategy, planning, tracking and reporting, and staff meetings.

● Actively participate in CWC fund development activities, such as donor drives, online appeals, and other events.

● Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Note: Management retains the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

● Strong passion for and commitment to social and environmental justice. ● Experience working with low-income communities and/or communities of color. ● At least 3 years of community organizing/engagement, union organizing, or political organizing experience, preferably in low-income communities and/or communities of color. ● Strong track record of winning concrete campaign victories, mobilizing people into action, and building community leadership. ● Experience with power analysis/power mapping, strategy and campaign development. ● Experience supervising and/or managing staff and working in and managing campaign teams. ● Ability to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities, while remaining focused on overarching goals. ● Strong creative and comprehensive problem solving skills. ● Strong interpersonal verbal communication and writing skills, with sensitivity to appropriate delivery depending on target and audience. ● Ability to work with and inspire diverse communities and age groups. ● Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines. ● Ability to accept praise and constructive feedback – the ideal candidate would value self-improvement and seek evaluation. ● Flexible schedule – willing and able to work weekends and attend night meetings. ● Proficient with basic computer skills including, at minimum: Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and ability to troubleshoot basic software and computer equipment problems. ● Ability to work both independently and collaboratively. ● Fluent in Spanish (oral and written). ● Valid CA driver’s license. 

● Bachelor’s or Master’s in public policy, environmental science, education, communications or any area that is relevant to social justice and movement-building work ● Understanding of and fluency in digital organizing tools and software, including online, mobile, social media, and text platforms. ● Experience using CRM, CMS, and online advocacy tools (NationBuilder strongly preferred). ● Knowledge of political landscape in California. ● Experience working in immigrant and/or rural communities. ● Experience with or knowledge of water and environmental issues and/or community development.  

Starting Date: Open until filled

Salary: Starting at $60K (based on experience and qualifications).

Application: To apply, email resume and cover letter to: christina.marquez@communitywatercenter.org 

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes: medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous vacation, family, and sick leave, and holiday policies; a flexible work schedule; professional development opportunities and more. (Benefits guidelines and eligibility vary based on tenure and employment status, among other factors.) We also provide contributions to employees’ SEP-IRA after a two-year tenure.

To learn more about the Community Water Center and our programs, visit our website at www.communitywatercenter.org