The San Francisco Department of the Environment is hiring for two positions: 1) Environmental Justice Associate and 2) Climate Research Associate. Are you passionate about ensuring that all communities have a clean, safe, and healthy environment? Is equitable access to environmental services important to you? If so, we invite you to take advantage of an opportunity to use your skills to build a better future for San Francisco.

Who We Are - The San Francisco Department of the Environment (SF Environment) advances climate protection and enhances quality of life for all San Franciscans. SF Environment is a department within the City and County of San Francisco, a local government committed to innovation, leadership and collaboration in creating environmental change.  SF Environment is recognized worldwide for its environmental policies and programs, which center on achieving zero waste, reducing toxic chemical hazards, advancing environmental justice, promoting low-carbon transportation modes, expanding clean energy infrastructure, greening our built environment and protecting our urban forest. We’re a passionate, mission-driven team that values credibility , collaboration, impact, innovation and equity. SF Environment is also a great place to work, offering an attractive benefits package that includes healthcare and retirement.

SF Environment Racial Equity Statement  - For over 20 years, SF Environment has worked with San Francisco’s Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities to mitigate environmental burdens, increase accessibility of environmental programs and benefits, engage community members, and improve health outcomes. BIPOC communities are disproportionately exposed to environmental stressors that include air and soil pollution, illegal dumping of toxics and other materials, industrial land uses and transportation impacts. They are more likely to live in housing conditions with limited access to green space and where poor indoor air quality from pests, mold, and the use of toxic products contributes to the prevalence of asthma and other health disparities. They are more likely to be employed in areas with high levels of exposure to toxics. Now, they are the first communities feeling the impacts of climate change, with the fewest resources to respond. SF Environment has a longstanding commitment to the principles of environmental justice, whereby communities most impacted by environmental stressors and climate change are prioritized and the long-time work of community leaders is recognized and supported. We are committed to uplifting the contributions of local environmental leaders of diverse racial backgrounds and ensuring that racial equity is the cornerstone of all of our programs, policies, and services.

Environmental Justice Associate - As a member of SF Environment’s Environmental Justice Team, you will help  advance environmental sustainability at public and affordable housing sites. You will have the opportunity to meet affordable housing developers, property managers and low-income families to provide education, outreach and assistance regarding toxics reduction, zero waste, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). You will work with a diverse set of partners, including the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) staff, non-profit service providers and affordable housing developers to reduce pest infestations and pesticide use at public and affordable housing sites. You will also help develop and deliver programs to increase recycling, composting, and proper disposal of household hazardous products and bulky items at these sites. The Associate will also be a member of SF Environment’s Racial Equity Steering Committee.

Climate Research Associate – As part of the SF Environment's Climate Action Study, you have the opportunity to help turn ideas into climate change policy. You will help provide research and analysis on long-term financing and funding, and the associated policy impacts, for full implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan and other environmental policies. You will help develop and coordinate the project, organize meetings, and develop information and guidance documents for a wide range of stakeholders (partners, decision-makers, and the public).

What You’ll Do - The duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this position and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

Environmental Justice Associate

• Work with public and affordable housing property managers and services staff on setting up zero waste programs at their sites
• Work with public and affordable housing property managers and services staff and affordable housing developers on pest prevention strategies and controlling pests in the safest and most effective manner
• Coordinate pest inspections and work with developers to implement site-specific treatment plans; must be able to travel to public and affordable housing sites or community events as needed
• Conduct workshops to educate tenants on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), zero waste, maintaining a healthy home, and reducing exposure to toxic chemicals through use of safer products and practices
• Provide as needed support to SF Environment’s Racial Equity Leaders in implementing the Department’s Racial Equity Action Plan
• Assist SFE with public outreach/education, including staffing special events and making public presentations; must be available to occasionally work weekend and evening events as needed

Climate Research Associate

• Research strategies to support long-term climate action funding and financing and other ad hoc environmental issues, including literature reviews and online research
• Prepare and edit written materials such as memos, fact sheets, framing papers, talking points, and briefing materials that will inform the implementation of climate action.
• Provide a supporting role in planning, development, communication, implementation, and improvement of public policy and programs to advance the City’s ambitious climate goals.
• Support the coordination of technical reports and guidance, as well as other documents or specialized content for internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate outreach, public meetings, trainings, and events.
• Assist with website updates,  budgets, and administrative work as needed.
• Provide additional as-needed support on special projects for the Climate Program Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience -

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or

Two years of college education from an accredited college or university, and six (6) months of professional work experience, including internships, research positions, or other experience, relevant to the duties described in the job description.

Desirable Qualifications - The desirable qualifications may be used to select among finalists at the end of the selection process. We do not expect any one candidate to have all the qualifications listed.  We highly encourage you to apply if you are interested in joining us.

Environmental Justice Associate

1. Experience working directly with and communicating effectively with racially, ethnically, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse audiences and/or ability to speak a second language commonly spoken in San Francisco
2. Interest in learning more about equity, inclusion, and diversity concepts and applying them in the environmental field
3. Experience or interest in IPM, zero waste, toxics reduction, environmental justice, public health, social services, social work, psychology, or multi-cultural studies
4. Customer service, sales, and/or outreach experience, with the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written format
5. Familiarity with San Francisco
6. Proven ability to work independently and in a collaborative team

Climate Research Associate

1. Interest in learning more about equity, inclusion, and diversity concepts and applying them in the environmental field
2. Proven ability to work independently and in a collaborative team   
3. Experience conducting literature reviews, compiling data and analysis for ongoing and new research projects, with a focus on financing and climate change
4. Experience with research, writing and report preparation
5. Experience with organizing, coordinating internal and external meetings, events, and conferences

Salary - $51,532 per year

Application Deadline: November 29, 2021

Work Location - SF Environment staff have the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule. Depending on the duties of their position, staff can work remotely for up to three days a week, and onsite or in-office for the remaining days per week. The Environmental Justice Associate will spend a portion of their time in the field, visiting sites located throughout the City. Field work may include attendance at community meetings or events, which could occasionally involve night and weekend work. Field work will be adjusted on an ongoing basis based on current San Francisco Department of Public Health’s health and safety standards during the pandemic.

Additional Requested Information - please provide the following information:.

1. Please complete the linked form (required), and provide additional supplemental information about your qualifications and experience. Link to form - https://forms.office.com/g/CMPBYPTZ45
2. Please submit a cover letter (optional) at the time of filing by using the "additional attachments" link contained within the application.
3. Writing sample – 3-7 days after submitting your application, you will receive a follow-up email with instructions on how to submit a writing sample (optional and only requested from applicants interested in the Climate Research Associate position).

Selection Process

Timeline
The application deadline is November 29, 2021. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive, we are unable to give application status updates. While we are not able to reach out to every applicant, the hiring manager will contact you directly after the filing deadline if your skills and experiences are a strong match for the position.

Stage 1 of the selection process will consist of an evaluation of applications. Stage 2 - Based on the evaluation of applications, candidates whose skills and experiences are a strong match for the position will be invited to a phone interview. Stage 3 - Candidates who most closely meet the needs of the position will be invited to participate in the panel interview selection process, including an assessment of relative job-related skills and abilities. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to Stage 2 or Stage 3 of the hiring process.

For any questions regarding the position or hiring process- please contact the recruitment analyst, Adam Romoslawski at [email protected].

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.