Program Associate II - Rain Gardens (full-time, non-exempt)

Who We Are:

Active San Gabriel Valley (ActiveSGV) is a community-based environmental justice and public health non-profit headquartered in El Monte, CA. Our mission is to create a more sustainable, equitable, and livable San Gabriel Valley. We envision a San Gabriel Valley where people of all ages, incomes, abilities, and backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive and where decision-making accounts for the needs of current and future generations. Where local and regional investments help address our most pressing challenges, including the climate crisis, housing affordability, and inequity. Where elected leadership reflects and accurately represents one of the United States’ most diverse regions. Where communities pilot best practices in public policy, health, sustainability, and governance.

The San Gabriel Valley is more vital by creating quality jobs, living wages, employment mobility, a strong economy, clean water and air, accessible parks, stable and affordable housing, safe and efficient transportation, and a healthy built environment that supports sustainability. As such, ActiveSGV is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work, aiming to eliminate barriers so our communities can lead happier, healthier lives.

ActiveSGV strives to make our commitment evident across all levels: in our organizational structure, policies, advisory board, staff, volunteers, donors, goals, and vision. We welcome people of all backgrounds and aim to maintain a culture of respect, openness, learning, integrity, honesty, and a sense of fun.

Learn more at www.activesgv.org

Job Description

ActiveSGV seeks (3) highly motivated Program Associate II’s to support implementation of the GREEN SGV project in the San Gabriel Valley’s highest-need communities. Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Program Associates will support community engagement and outreach for this transformative project and the implementation of rain gardens with CA native plants and trees.

Applicants must be organized and prioritize workload; be self-motivated, with the ability to work effectively in both independent and team environments; possess excellent communication skills, including the ability to interact positively and effectively with colleagues, city staff, elected officials, and community members; be comfortable working in a fast-paced, project-driven work environment; be able to work respectfully with people of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; be willing to take public and active transit for work business, and be passionate about the organization's focus area.

This position will assist the Project Manager with planning, organizing, implementing, and accomplishing day-to-day operations of their assigned projects, including residential rain garden installations (and maintenance), community outreach and engagement, volunteer recruitment and coordination, and data collection. A primary role of this position will involve transforming turf-heavy, non-native residential landscapes with rain gardens to capture and clean stormwater, sequester carbon, reduce urban heat island impacts, support biodiversity, and save households in Justice 40 communities money on water utility bills. Applicants should have experience planting and caring for native plants and trees.

Required Qualifications:

Project Planning

• Assist in planning, organizing, and conducting outreach programs and events to educate and inform the community about the GREEN SGV project, opportunities to participate and volunteer.
• Coordinate/host outreach booths at community spaces and events such as parks, farmer’s markets, street fairs, etc.
• Support Communications staff with developing outreach materials, such as flyers, newsletters, and social media content, to effectively communicate with the community.

Rain Garden Installation

• Assess and evaluate residential property suitability for program participation.
• Support the design of residential rain gardens.
• Assist with the removal of existing turf and non-native plants.
• Plant and care for native plants and trees through establishment.
• Coordinate with local tree trimmers to secure in-kind donations of logs and mulch.
• Support and supervise project volunteers.
• Plan and host rain garden workshops and community tours.
• Other duties as assigned.

Community Outreach

• Coordinate and participate in community events, meetings, and workshops.
• Undertake speaking engagements and presentations at community meetings, events, etc.
• Conduct community canvassing, including door-to-door outreach.
• Distribute collateral materials in places and spaces where the public congregates.
• Educate and inform SGV residents about opportunities to participate in the GREEN SGV project.

This position will be a combination of fieldwork, in-person (Jeff Seymour Family Center in El Monte), and work-from-home; we anticipate the majority of project staff time to be spent in the field connecting with the public, installing/caring for rain gardens, and hosting community events. ActiveSGV strives to meet the community where they feel comfortable and conducts outreach in places and spaces convenient for the public. As a result, this position will involve evening and weekend events and outreach.

Qualifications

• At least three or more years of experience working with plants and trees.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and motivate volunteers.
• Familiarity and comfort with conducting community outreach and engagement activities.

Physical Job Requirements

• Work demands physical energy, twisting, safe heavy lifting ability, and hand-to-eye coordination.
• Uses machines, equipment, and work tools, including but not limited to shovels, breaker bars, rakes, brooms, general hand tools, lift gates, water tanks, blowers, and augers.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
• Must be able to load and unload 15-gallon trees from a pickup truck.
• Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day.
• Must withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, i.e., rain, heat, sun, and cold.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods.

It would be great if you also had…

• Strong ties and roots in the San Gabriel Valley region.
• Experience with California native trees and plants.
• A current Driver’s License, a record of safe driving, and willingness to drive an electric van and/or electric pickup truck.
• Ability to ride a bicycle and utilize public transit, or a willingness to learn how to do so.
• Commitment to ActiveSGV’s mission and values.

Personal Characteristics & Skills

• Able to work independently, set, manage, and meet goals, outcomes, and deadlines, with impeccable organizational skills and consistent follow-through.
• Tactful and highly persuasive, with good judgment, enthusiasm, energy, and a positive outlook.
• Willingness to lead by example by utilizing sustainable forms of transportation, zero-waste practices (e.g., using reusable water bottles), and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, especially public speaking.
• An effective team player who can draw out leadership capabilities in others.

This is a 34-month, grant-funded position with an anticipated start date of January 2025 and an end date of November 2027.

This is a non-exempt, hourly position with an estimated salary range $59,870- $65,860. Annual cost-of-living adjustments have been built into this project. Compensation includes a generous benefits package, including:

• healthcare and dental insurance
• 16 holidays
• paid sick time
• professional development and wellness stipends
• 32-hour work week
• 403b retirement plan, and
• the opportunity to utilize electric-assist bicycles.

As an equal opportunity employer, ActiveSGV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.