Environmental Justice Fellow-NOAA

Job Description

Job Title: Environmental Justice Fellow

Company: NOAA

Location: Cleveland, OH

Pay: $44180 per year

AI Pay Analysis: The annual salary of $44,180 for an “Environmental Justice Fellow” in Cleveland, OH translates to approximately $21.21 per hour based on a standard 40-hour workweek. This rate appears to be on the lower end of the spectrum compared to typical salaries for similar roles in the environmental sector, which often require advanced degrees or specialized knowledge. According to various salary surveys and job postings, environmental justice positions in urban areas can range significantly, often falling between $45,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and specific job responsibilities. Given this context, the offered salary may not be highly competitive and could potentially deter qualified candidates, especially considering the rising costs of living in many urban environments.

Job description:
These positions are part of a vital initiative supporting the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge (CRRC) projects. The fellows will play an instrumental role in advancing the project objectives.

The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition is seeking Environmental Justice Fellows from historically underrepresented groups in Northeast Ohio, with a focus on engaging underserved, predominantly African American residents within the cities of Lorain, Elyria, Akron, Youngstown-Warren, and the Cleveland metropolitan area. The fellowship will cover specific counties aligning with the project area, including Summit, Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Mahoning, and Trumbull. The first fellow will concentrate on Ashtabula, Lorain, Medina, Cuyahoga, and Summit counties, while the second fellow will focus on Trumbull, Geauga, Lake, and Mahoning counties.

The Coalition recognizes the pressing need to identify and nurture individuals from communities of concern for impactful careers within the environmental justice sector, particularly emphasizing coastal resilience.

We seek passionate Environmental Justice Fellows who are committed to addressing the cumulative impacts of racism on economic, environmental, structural, and social justice inequities affecting education, employment, housing, and health. These fellows will emerge as future leaders and decision-makers within the evolving realms of conservation, justice, equity, and resilience. Ideal candidates will:

– Aim to expand their environmental knowledge and perspectives.
– Strive to enhance their leadership and communication skills.
– Seek valuable work experience.
– Be dedicated to diversifying the environmental field.
– Advocate for the principles of equity and inclusion.
– Be eager to learn about coastal resilience and its implications on local, national, and international environmental efforts.
– Desire to engage with an emerging professional network.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Ensuring that research, training, education, technical assistance, and decision support contribute to the “Building Resilience to Extreme Weather in Northeast Ohio” project, particularly aiding under-resourced and disproportionately affected communities in adapting to climate change impacts.
2. Acting as subject matter experts in coastal resilience and environmental justice and collaborating with the community outreach team to enhance existing programs and develop new initiatives.
3. Demonstrating leadership within the Northeast Ohio community by promoting data-driven research to guide behavior, policy, and management decisions concerning coastal resilience.
4. Creating programs and materials that resonate with a broad audience, including engaging with underserved communities, governmental agencies, elected officials, businesses, educators, students, and non-profits, while collaborating with agencies such as NOAA to amplify efforts.
5. Strengthening existing partnerships and establishing new ones across the region.
6. Identifying leadership opportunities within the program and pursuing external roles while contributing positively as a team member.
7. Assisting in the development of proposals for additional funding and serving as key personnel on grants that address local community needs.
8. Conducting research to fill knowledge gaps and meet community needs.
9. Effectively communicating complex issues to non-experts.
10. Collaborating to improve outreach and educational components of their projects.
11. Leading educational and outreach initiatives, including presentations at conferences, community engagement events, and workshops.
12. Exploring new outreach programming opportunities at the state, regional, and national levels.
13. Evaluating the Coalition’s products and programs to assess impact and improve processes while fulfilling reporting requirements.
14. Enhancing public recognition of the “Building Resilience to Extreme Weather in Northeast Ohio” initiative, serving as a dependable source of information on Great Lakes policies and issues.
15. Promoting awareness and understanding of Lake Erie and Great Lakes-related topics.
16. Engaging in professional development activities to stay informed on coastal resilience and environmental justice topics, as well as general Lake Erie science.
17. Actively participating in relevant professional societies.
18. Representing the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition on local advisory boards and committees.
19. Working independently within the designated northeast Ohio area.

Potential deliverables may include:

– A summary report detailing research findings on community needs and knowledge gaps.
– Completed community assessments for various organizations and municipalities.
– Presentations to the Advisory Board on pertinent topics.

Anticipated Travel:

Fellows will be expected to travel within the project service areas. One fellow will focus on Ashtabula, Lorain, Medina, Cuyahoga, and Summit counties, while the other will target Trumbull, Geauga, Lake, and Mahoning counties. Participation in a peer-to-peer sharing event in 2027 is required, and the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition will support fellows’ involvement in professional development opportunities.

Desired Qualifications:

– Minimum education: high school diploma with experience in community engagement related to coastal resilience or environmental justice.
– Knowledge of Lake Erie and Great Lakes coastal resilience and environmental justice issues is preferred.
– Experience in community organizing and program material development is desired.
– Presentation skills are advantageous.
– Proficiency in applying industry knowledge and technical abilities to diverse projects.
– Ability to manage complex projects independently.
– Competence in building consensus and facilitating effective dialogue.
– Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
– Flexibility in working hours with minimal supervision.
– Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
– Experience collaborating effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
– Proven ability to manage multiple projects while meeting objectives and deliverable timelines.
– Successful completion of a required background check.

Fellow Mentoring:

Dr. Lashale Pugh will serve as the fellows’ mentor, providing insights into the Coalition’s work and project goals. Sharon Spruill, the environmental justice coordinator, will act as the fellows’ supervisor.

To apply, candidates should submit the following materials in a single PDF file:

– A resume (limited to two pages).
– A statement of interest outlining personal goals for the fellowship and potential contributions, with emphasis on regional connections, Indigenous or local knowledge, and relevant life experiences (maximum of 500 words).
– Unofficial academic transcripts showcasing relevant coursework (or joint services transcript for veterans).
– Contact details for two professional or academic references.

Job Posting Date: Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:17:19 GMT

Apply now!