Program Manager, Environmental Justice and Health Equity

Date Posted: 6/10/2024
Department: Programs
Type of Employment: Full-Time

Position Title: Program Manager, Environmental Justice and Health Equity

Reports to: Director of Climate Initiatives 

Status: Full-time, Exempt (This position is grant-funded for a 3-year project term, with the opportunity for extension if funds become available)

Location: Iowa

Travel: 25-35% travel required within Iowa

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Program Manager will be responsible for implementing part of an EPA Government-to-Government grant project to address environmental justice health equity (EJHE) in Iowa. The Program Manager will serve as our primary liaison with our state partner to assist in helping implement this EPA Government-to-Government grant project. This position is currently funded for a three-year term. The position requires an understanding of EJHE issues, community engagement strategies, and project management skills. The manager will work closely with diverse stakeholders, including underserved communities, environmental organizations, government agencies, and contractors to facilitate leadership development, community organizing, and progress reporting. The manager will work toward a future where Iowans who face the greatest environmental justice burdens, including localized pollution and associated health problems, have the training, education, and resources to work collaboratively to solve local community challenges.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management and Implementation:

• Provide coordination and oversight to EJHE Program and serve as the day-to-day manager.
• Assist in developing monthly, biannual, and final progress reports.
• Provide logistical aid and offer resources to support local partners in the capacity-building process, including reporting and compliance requirements.
• With Finance & Operations Administrator, track budget and reporting.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building:

• Coordinate with project partners and local leaders to understand each community's needs to provide resources and technical assistance to respond to community-specific EJ concerns.
• Plan, host, and oversee several public events in communities around the state of Iowa focused on EJHE issues and providing information and technical assistance to community stakeholders as they pursue solutions to environmental justice challenges.
• Identify additional partners to extend outreach and training in sites beyond the core cities of focus, including rural communities.
• Oversee community outreach and presentation efforts to ensure program goals are met and aligned with program messaging.
• Maintain regular communication and engagement with partner organizations to ensure a cohesive approach to capacity building and community engagement.

Leadership Development:

• Provide training and resources to state and local EJ Equity Teams.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to identify relevant resources and gather information related to community-specific EJHE challenges across Iowa in order to develop messaging and outreach materials for public events.
• In partnership with community organizations, leverage gathered information and resources to deliver in-depth training sessions covering topics such as the environmentally-driven health hazards, environmental justice issues, and engagement with local and state governments.
• Foster cohesive relationships and collaboration among cohort members to build and train a network of environmental justice leaders.
• Support cohort members in identifying and addressing specific community EJHE issues and assist with public engagement related to established program priorities.

Technical Assistance and Resource Mobilization:

• Collaborate with cohort participants, government agencies, and community-based organizations to identify and leverage resources and expertise to advance project activities.
• Provide ongoing support, technical assistance, and connections to resources for cohort members as they identify community issues and work to address them.
• Facilitate connections between underserved communities and local, state, and federal decision-makers and available funding and technical assistance resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Education, work experience, or lived experience in environmental health, health services, human resources, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and grant reporting
• Strong organizational, record-keeping, and time-management skills.
• Knowledge of environmental justice or environmental health issues, social equity principles, and community engagement strategies.
• Strong verbal and written communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and navigate complex organizational and political landscapes.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and empowering underserved communities to advocate for environmental justice.
• Willingness and ability to travel and meet independently with individuals and organizations and attend events statewide; must have valid driver’s license.
• Must be a U.S. citizen to comply with federal funding requirements.

Desirable:

• The ideal candidate would have a demonstrated record of strong relationships and work experience with diverse stakeholders and community-based organizations in Iowa.
• Experience in community organizing and leadership development.
• Experience with grant reporting, especially federal grant reports.

Benefits  

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Employer Matched Simple IRA
• Flex Savings Account
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Family Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parking
• Hybrid Work Environment (remote work will be considered for the right candidate)

Compensation:  $50,000 – $60,000

Iowa Environmental Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic community engaged with working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to smith@iaenvironment.org by June 28, 2024.