Ecology Center Background
The Ecology Center’s mission is to inspire and build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay, California, and beyond. The Ecology Center transforms the ideas of sustainability into everyday practice. We offer information you can act on, infrastructure you can count on, and leadership for lasting change. We are working toward a world of resilient communities, zero waste and toxics, equal access to healthy food, sustainable resource use, and a safe and stable climate.
Founded in the run-up to the first Earth Day in 1970, the Ecology Center has been a regional and national leader on a wide range of issues, turning vision into action and cementing it with advocacy. We operate the nation’s first and longest running curbside recycling service, a nationally recognized food and farming programs, model education and engagement activities, and the EcoStore which provides products that encourage environmentally and socially responsible lifestyle practices.
We are a committed, congenial, and diverse staff dedicated to making the world a better place through action. Every employee is integral to the success of our organization. We value vision, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. If you are passionate and qualified, we encourage you to apply to be part of our team.
Position Summary
The Education and Engagement Program Coordinator fosters an informed, empowered, and resilient public by conducting community outreach, providing information and referrals about a wide array of environmental issues, and supporting the coordination of public-facing Education and Engagement programming and the EcoStore. This role provides general support for the Education and Engagement program’s services and projects, including: Resource Center and Library, Berkeley Climate Action Coalition, Climate Equity Collaborative, Climate Equity Collaborative, and BASIL (Bay Area Seed Interchange Library). This full-time position involves both direct field work and in-office hours and may require occasional evening and weekend activities. This position is an on-site position with some limited opportunity for remote work after at least 6 months of employment. This role will eventually become a union position and will be subject to union membership agreement terms.
Duties
● Respond to and track Ecology Center Help Desk inquiries, via various modes of communication with researched information and/or referrals. Maintain Help Desk information database and reporting. Help Desk inquiries cover a range of topics including but not limited to waste sorting and zero waste, integrated pest management, greywater, and gardening.
● Develop written and/or visual content, including social media posts, blogs, newsletter features, relating to Education and Engagement programming.
● Attend community events and City of Berkeley meetings in order to build relationships, stay informed on local happenings, and represent the Education & Engagement program.
● Support relationship building and maintenance with community-based organizations to support the Climate Equity Collaborative.
● Assist in coordinating and/or providing oversight and guidance to volunteers and youth interns working with the Education & Engagement program.
● Assist with grant-related work, including drafting or reviewing proposals and reports.
● Provide input/feedback on Education & Engagement program goals and work.
● Support maintenance of Resource Center, such as restocking factsheets, updating table displays, and library and BASIL seed library maintenance.
● Support Recycling Education program with the review, updates, and maintenance of Resourceful, Ecology Center’s digital waste sorting guide. Play primary role in deactivating EcoDirectory, Ecology Center’s green business directory.
● Present/table at community events, farmers' markets, workshops, and other local gatherings to share information and resources.
● Provide EcoStore back-up: cover Store staff breaks a few days each week, helping customers and completing transactions. Occasionally perform cash-drawer open and close-out procedures for EcoStore.
● Other duties as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field OR High School Diploma/GED and two years of work experience in a relevant field.
- Interest in the Education & Engagement program’s relevant topic areas, including climate equity, zero waste, seed sovereignty. Willingness to continue to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion and environmental issues, especially focused on issues impacting the East Bay area.
- Experience and interest in working with the public, willingness to engage community members in situations ranging from group presentations and community meetings, to one-on-one while tabling.
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to distill complex information into approachable written and verbal content for community dissemination. Ability to connect with community members of a diversity of backgrounds and overcome cultural barriers.
- An understanding of how environmental and climate issues intersect with systems of oppression including racism, colonialism, ableism, cisheteropatriarchy, etc.
- Organized with the ability to continually refocus and multitask while working in a public space and balancing multiple priorities.
- Proficiency with computers, Google suite.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with content design and development, social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, etc.)
- Experience in working, interning, and/or volunteering at a non-profit or community-based organization
- Bilingual in English and Spanish, Arabic, and/or Chinese.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Regularly talk or listen up to 8 hours a day
- Regularly sit, type, and use the mouse up to 8 hours a day
- Regularly stand, kneel, squat, climb, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms;
- Ability to travel to and from tabling/community outreach locations (via personal vehicle or public transportation)
- Occasionally drive a vehicle of approximately 17.5 ft, usually during daylight hours in dry conditions, but occasionally in the evening hours and in wet conditions
- Occasionally lift, carry and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds
- Occasionally load tables, tents, and or other equipment into a vehicle for events
- Periodically, work outside in different conditions including heat, noisy, windy, and/or cold
Hours
Full time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt position. This position is scheduled to work Tuesday-Saturday, with occasional evenings or Sunday events. This position is an on-site position with some limited opportunity for remote work after at least 6 months of employment.
Wage and Benefits:
Starting hourly rate is $24.36 to $26.79 depending on qualifications. This position is eligible for benefits which include fully paid employee medical, dental, optional vision plan, fully vested 401K plan, vacation/sick/holiday pay, Employee Assistance Program. This position is covered under the Ecology Center/ IWW Collective Bargaining Agreement and requires union membership.
How to Apply
Send completed application, resume, and cover letter in pdf format to hiring@ecologycenter.org. Please add “Education & Engagement Program Coordinator” to the email subject line.
Open until filled. Please apply early as this position posting may close at any time.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
People of color, people LGBTQIA-identified, women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. EOE/AA.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $24.36 - $26.79 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Evenings as needed
- Every weekend
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
Ability to Relocate:
- Berkeley, CA: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person