Do you enjoy talking with people? Are you passionate about making a positive difference in your community? If so, we invite you to join the Environment Now team by applying for the Environmental Outreach positions. You’ll use your communications skills to engage the public in building a better future for San Franciscans. The San Francisco Department of Environment is recognized worldwide for its environmental policies, is a great place to work, and offers an attractive benefits package, including healthcare and paid time off.

This job announcement will be used to fill four vacancies for Environmental Outreach Aide positions, including positions that require bilingual skills in languages such as Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, or both), Spanish, Vietnamese, or Russian.

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.

As an Environmental Outreach Aide you’ll work in a role designed to help you develop your career pathway in the environmental field, while providing mentorship and professional development opportunities. You’ll learn and grow professionally on the job, building foundational experience in environmental communications and team leadership and develop subject matter expertise while meeting designated position objectives.

Environmental Outreach Aides support the City’s zero waste, toxics reduction, energy efficiency, clean transportation, environmental justice and climate action goals through in-person and virtual outreach to the public, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by environmental stressors. You’ll gain knowledge of environmental outreach tactics and behavior-change strategies, public speaking, and program administration, including Salesforce CRM. Knowledge and experience gained will position you for success as an environmental communications and outreach professional equipped to serve San Franciscans and beyond—plus career advancement opportunities in related fields.

Bilingual Positions: Vacancies may require bilingual skills: Proficiency in reading, writing, typing, speaking, and listening in English and Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, or Tagalog. Selected bilingual candidates must pass language proficiency and proofreading tests, and upon successful completion would be eligible for a bilingual pay stipend.

.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.

• Conduct outreach to engage residents, businesses and schools in the City’s environmental policies and programs through door-to-door canvassing, phone calling, event tabling, virtual and in-person presenting, email communication, and surveying
• Facilitate virtual and in-person meetings and workshops with businesses, neighborhood associations, parent-teacher organizations, and community groups
• Conduct on-site zero waste assessments and train employees and residents at businesses and apartments
• Respond to public inquiries
• Research, collect, and compile data, while learning to use Salesforce CRM
• Assist in the preparation of reports and documents
• Assist in coordinating and scheduling outreach activities
• Participate in eco-literacy and project-related trainings
• Perform administrative support and other duties/tasks as required

Mentors & Supervisors - During the period of employment, you’ll serve as an active member of the Environment Now team at SF Environment, attending regular team meetings and scheduled outreach and education activities. The successful candidate will be assigned a mentor and supervisor to guide and train them. In some cases, the mentor and supervisor may be the same person. Mentors and supervisors work closely together to provide employees with comprehensive, quality training and a rich experience in the fields of environmental outreach and behavior change.

Exempt Employment Status - These positions (four vacancies will be filled) are exempt appointments, with a duration of 1-2 years. A second year may be possible contingent upon City budget conditions, and demonstrated competence and professionalism in the first year of employment. Participation in this program does not guarantee a second year of employment or any future employment with the San Francisco Department of the Environment or the City and County of San Francisco. These positions are excluded by the Charter from the competitive civil service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the appointing officer.

Minimum Qualifications

Education - Two years of college education from an accredited college or university

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.

• Interest and ability to engage with the public throughout an 8-hour workday by going door-to-door in a residential neighborhood, apartment building or business district
• Interest in learning more about equity, inclusion and diversity concepts and applying them in the environmental field
• Customer service, sales, and/or outreach experience with ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written format
• Word processing, spreadsheet, database and internet proficiency
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and willingness to drive a City-issued vehicle as needed (vehicle is provided

• Salary - $47,346 per year
• Application Deadline: December 6, 2021

Supplemental Information - please provide the following information after submitting your application:

1. .Please complete the linked form (required), and provide additional supplemental information about your qualifications and experience. 3-5 days after submitting your application, you will also be emailed a reminder to complete the supplemental information form. Link to form - https://forms.office.com/g/Nf0YRNTN4m

Selection Process

Timeline
The application deadline is December 6, 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.