Community Programs Coordinator

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

First Round Of Interviews Expected To Start The Week Of December 9, 2024

Expected Start Date: February 1, 2025

Who We Are

California Walks is the statewide voice for pedestrian safety & healthy, walkable communities for people of all ages & abilities. We work to create safe, just, and inclusive streets and public spaces. We believe that those who have been harmed by oppressive systems and those most impacted by planning and political decisions should direct the development and implementation of solutions, and we actively connect to and engage communities as leaders of change who drive decision-making processes based on their expertise. We co-empower, co-create, and co-operate with communities.

Our Mission

California Walks is the statewide voice for pedestrian safety & healthy, walkable communities for people of all ages & abilities. We partner with state agencies, organizations, and communities to establish and strengthen policies and practices that support pedestrian safety and healthy, walkable communities. We work to expand and strengthen a network of community organizations working for pedestrian safety and community walkability through equity, engagement, education, advocacy, and collaboration.

Our Vision

We imagine a California where all people can move in public spaces under their power, with confidence, dignity, and security. People of any race, identity, age, or ability can walk, run, or roll on people-friendly pathways that are safe, healthy, and welcoming in all neighborhoods and communities.

Our Values

Justice: We work to identify and dismantle structural barriers that prevent all people from living free of oppression.

Community Leadership: We work to actively connect to and engage communities as leaders of change who drive decision-making processes in genuine ways based on their expertise.

Partnership and Collaboration: We work to cultivate a broad spectrum of authentic and deep relationships. We see ourselves as connectors and collaborators—recognizing that collective impact will achieve far more than we could do alone.

What We Offer

Compensation

• Annual salary: $66,000 - $67,000

Employment Type

• Regular, full-time, exempt position
• Requires work in the field and travel on some evenings and weekends
• At-will grant-funded position until 09/30/2025, with the opportunity for extension contingent upon funding.

Benefits

• Employer fully sponsored health insurance and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for health and transit
• Home office connectivity stipend
• SIMPLE IRA retirement employer contribution of 3%
• Three (3) weeks of vacation leave annually with an increase based on qualified years of employment
• Twelve (12) days of sick leave annually
• Fourteen (14) holidays annually
• Professional development funds and opportunities to advance and grow

Equipment

Staff will receive a company laptop, everyday office supplies, software licenses, and access to a printer. Staff are expected to have a smartphone and be given a Google Voice number.

Location

Home-based office with access to Cal Walks’ headquarters in Sacramento and a satellite office in Lakewood. Staff are expected to travel to the office for meetings, trainings and program needs.

Candidates can be located anywhere in California with a strong preference for the Central Valley and Southern California.

Physical Activity

Must be able to walk and bike an average of 2-5 miles in communities across the state in various weather conditions and roadway conditions. Physical activities take place throughout the year, including during peak summer months. This position will organize and lead walking and on-bike assessments in communities across the state. Training opportunities to become a League Certified Instructor through the League of American Bicyclists is available.

Language Requirements

Bilingual in Spanish and able to read, write, and present training content in Spanish and English.

Travel

Must be available to travel approximately 25% of the time across the state, including by airplane, train, or car. Per diem, travel expenses are covered by the organization.

Who You Are

California Walks seeks professional and detail-oriented individuals to support community capacity building and engagement work to create safer, healthier, and more equitable communities across California. Candidates must firmly commit to anti-racist work and root their work in the Mission, Vision, and Values of California Walks.

Education

Preferred – BA in geography, urban planning, urban studies, transportation studies, public health, public policy, social welfare, political science, nonprofit management, or other related fields. A BA may be substituted with at least two years’ experience coordinating advocacy campaigns, community capacity-building trainings, or equivalent.

Experience

• Minimum two years of experience delivering community programs and training, or equivalent.
• Minimum two year of experience working remotely and being able to plan and deliver programs in-person and virtually.
• Minimum one year experience delivering presentations, group facilitation, and working with community residents.
• Must have experience in or willingness to learn about transportation planning, policy, and programming; health equity; and pedestrian and bicycle safety.
• Must have experience in community outreach and engagement.
• Must be bilingual/bi-literate in Spanish-English.
• A valid California driver’s license and proof of auto insurance are required.
• A fingerprint and background check are required.

Communication

Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively convey information orally and in writing; demonstrated empathy and acceptance of other people’s ideas and experiences; bilingual in Spanish and English.

Technology

Must be tech-savvy and comfortable learning new skills and software. Skilled in using a PC and virtual platforms and software, including Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite, Google Suite, Canva, project management software, and social media platforms.

Knowledge and Skills

• Are detail‐oriented, organized, and able to manage your work and competing responsibilities;
• Have a solid understanding of program and project management and coalition building;
• Are self-starter, intrinsically motivated, and a resourceful problem solver who plans, asks questions, and assumes responsibility.
• Are flexible and adaptable and can work well independently and lead a small team;
• Are a critical thinker and able to make sound decisions independently and know when to ask for help;
• Have strong time management skills;
• You can independently plan and travel across the state and adhere to organization and funder travel policies.
• Are a connector, relationship builder, and collaborator; and
• Are comfortable and able to work effectively individually and as a team in a remote environment.

What You Will Do

The Community Programs Coordinator has a key role in facilitating, organizing, and improving the day-to-day operation and objectives of California Walks. The coordinator will coordinate, support, and manage tasks for California Walks’ goals, priorities, and advocacy in collaboration with the program managers. This role will coordinate and integrate complex activities for California Walks’ team and key partnerships. The Community Programs Coordinator will also work alongside the Program Managers and Director in coordinating key resources for California Walks’ educational offerings, community partnerships and initiatives, and legislative efforts.

Primary responsibilities include program management and event planning, community engagement, and education; developing, facilitating, and presenting walking and biking safety workshops and events across the state; cultivating relationships with agency staff and community partners; developing detailed reports; tracking program expenses; and securing vendors. The Community Programs Coordinator will work closely with the Community Programs Manager and Community Programs Director and be supervised by either a Manager or a Director.

This complex position requires a high level of judgment, organization, initiative, strategic thinking, attention to detail, project management, prioritization, follow-through, diplomacy, and confidentiality, performed autonomously and while exercising significant discretion and independent judgment. This position has no direct reports.

Essential Job Functions

NOTE: Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time

Lead and conduct community capacity-building workshops and trainings across California, including exercising discretion and independent judgment in the manner in which the workshops are conducted, the content of the training presented, the audience and forum for such workshops/training, to build community resident advocacy capacity and influence civic engagement and change; 40%

Travel across the state and lead in-person walking and biking assessments for community residents, agencies, and community partners; 25%

Prepare, revise, and update training curriculum, including researching emerging and effective teaching methods that are culturally competent and age-appropriate, including analyzing and strategizing regarding the content that will most effectively California Walks’ objectives and mission; 10%

Research, write, edit, and coordinate the development of advocacy materials, educational materials, training manuals, factsheets, and/or summary and recommendation reports to foster awareness of California Walks and encourage engagement with key leaders and partners in the community to achieve California Walks’ goals; 10%

Build partnerships and cultivate relationships with non-profit and/or community-based organizations throughout the state; 5%

Provide technical assistance to community members and local/regional agencies; 5%

Support fundraising efforts and communications with the development of original content for the organization’s social media accounts; 5%

Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Lifting and /or Carrying = Occasionally (Up to 33%) ,31-49 lbs

Push and/or Pull = Occasionally (Up to 33%), 31-49 lbs

Use Hands and/or Arms for Repetitive Motion = Frequently (33%-66%)

Use Feet and/or Legs for Repetitive Motion = Occasionally (Up to 33%)

Sit = Continuously (66%-100%)

Stand and/or Walk and Bike = Occasionally (Up to 33%)

Bend and/or Stoop = Occasionally (Up to 33%)

Crawl and/or Climb = Never (0%)

Operate Mechanical Machinery = Never (0%)

Be exposed to Harmful Fumes and/or other Pollutants = Never (0%)

Work on Unprotected Heights = Never (0%)

HOW TO APPLY AND OUR REVIEW PROCESS

Please submit the following through Idealist.org:

• A résumé
• Cover letter describing how your experience has prepared you for this role
• Two (2) work samples (preferably related to policy, community engagement, or advocacy) with at least one demonstrating a command of Spanish
• Three (3) references (references will not be contacted until you are notified)
• Please name the documents as your last name and the document name (example: “Last Name_Cover Letter”).
• Please provide documents in PDF file format.

For questions, please email info@calwalks.org.

Interviews may be virtual, in-person, or combined. The second and final interview will involve oral and/or facilitation components in English and Spanish.

California Walks is an “at-will” and equal employment opportunity employer. Applicants and employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender (including pregnancy and gender expression) identity, color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of access needs at the time of application.

Persons of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, persons with disabilities, persons who have lived in poverty, formerly incarcerated, and people fluent in more than one language are strongly encouraged to apply.