Resilient Central Coast & Electric Vehicle Equity Fellow

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Title of Position: Resilient Central Coast & Electric Vehicle Equity Fellow

Location: Ecology Action (Santa Cruz, CA)

Work Environment: Hybrid (Remote & On-Site)

Term: March-August 2025; 900 hours, 6 months; 40 hours/week

Living Allowance Stipend: $2,838.91/month

Education Award: $3,447.50  upon program completion

Benefits: Free healthcare coverage (w/dental & mental health), Education Award, student loan forbearance, child care allowance, CalFresh, professional development budget, industry networking.

Personal Vehicle required? Yes

Working with minors? No

ABOUT THE HOST PARTNER

Ecology Action is a 50-year-old, award-winning, nonprofit environmental consultancy that provides a complete range of solutions to meet the energy, water, and transportation challenges of municipalities, government agencies, utilities, non-profits, communities, and businesses. From establishing one of the first recycling programs in the nation to influencing statewide energy policy, Ecology Action is keen to take emerging solutions from ideation to mainstream in partnership with bold public agencies, nonprofits, and business partners.

Position Overview & Description

Carbon emissions need to be halved by 2030 to avoid the worst effects of climate change. These potential effects will be devastating and would disproportionately affect underinvested community members as we saw in winter 2022-2023 in our Monterey Bay region. With the climate crisis on the rise in public policy and the public consciousness, and the growing urgency for climate action, our communities need information, solutions, resiliency measures, and a practical climate movement to join for support—we remain committed to this community and helping them adapt. We are thus focused on continuing to build momentum behind our Resilient Central Coast Campaign, a 6-county collaborative with the goal of activating 500,000 community members to take climate action and better prepare for climate change impact by 2030. The fellow would be directly supporting community engagement through outreach events, presentations, and more. Additionally, the fellow will be engaging with under-invested communities to connect them with 1:1 electric vehicle assistance, including rebates and incentives to help increase EV adoption, access, and affordability. 

The Resilient Central Coast Campaign provides resources and opportunities for communities in Central Coast California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase resiliency, and build climate justice locally. To achieve these goals, we use community engagement strategies and the BrightAction web platform. With best practices in education and grassroots organizing, we leverage the power of existing social networks to inspire community groups into action. The BrightAction platform serves as a resource library and an action tracker for community groups participating in the campaign.

The EVs for Everyone/EVs Para Todos program is a community-based and equity-focused effort to achieve transportation justice and climate goals by increasing awareness, accessibility and adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in priority (low-income and disadvantaged) communities. We do this through collaborations with diverse partner organizations, bilingual and culturally relevant outreach events, canvassing, and personalized 1:1 purchase assistance in communities along California's Central Coast. The project goal for 2025 is to host 2 large Ride and Drives as well as monthly outreach events in low income and underserved communities and assist 500 households toward the purchase of an electric vehicle, resulting in 80 new EV drivers.

Responsibilities

Half of the Fellow’s role will be dedicated to the Resilient Central Coast Campaign. In this role the Fellow will lead community engagement through direct interactions with groups in the Central Coast region. The Fellow will: 

• Create a database of contacts for community groups and community action leaders with a focus on identifying groups that are engaged or interested in climate action and resilience in spite of systemic racism, marginalization, and economic disadvantages
• Collaborate with staff team to provide interactive Climate 101 presentations to target groups (businesses, civic groups and youth groups)
• Conduct community outreach to engage folks in the Campaign including, but not limited to, tabling events and targeted neighborhood door-to-door recruitment
• Attend regular meetings with Campaign working group and community action leaders
• Coordinate with local high school and college teachers to introduce them to the platform tools and our NGSS aligned curriculum 
• Communicate consistently and professionally with program participants, EA staff and other team members through email, phone calls, Microsoft Teams and other virtual conference platforms.

Half of the fellow’s role will be dedicated to the EVs for Everyone/EVs Para Todos program. The Fellow will:

• Provide one-on-one electric vehicle purchase guidance assistance to low-income individuals via phone calls, online video conferencing, e-mail, and in-person. Training will be provided so the fellow is prepared to guide a customer through understanding the benefits of EV ownership, model options, budgeting, charging, available financial incentives and relevant application processes.
• Coordinate and conduct in-person outreach at static car shows, Ride and Drive events and canvassing at apartments where EV chargers are being installed.
• Collaborate with staff team to conduct EV 101 presentations for businesses and organizations in target communities.
• Communicate consistently and professionally with program participants, EA staff, and other team members through email, phone calls, Microsoft Teams, and other virtual conference platforms.
• Assist Ecology Action’s community program’s staff with other program areas as needed including Youth and Adult Bike programs, marketing, and other areas that align with skills and interests.

Desired Qualifications

• Climate Communications, Climate Science, Community Outreach, Environmental Education, Environmental Justice, Event Coordination, Field Experience, Public Speaking/Facilitation
• Bilingual in English and Spanish but English proficiency preferred

Fellowship Experience 

Fellows will be part of a dynamic team of non-profit and public agency partners, who are working towards a common goal of reducing carbon emissions and creating a more just and resilient Central Coast. This is an exciting and creative opportunity for a fellow to shape and grow this new regional program. Fellows will gain hands-on community outreach and education skills. They will learn about local policies and programs, relating to climate action, resilience, and environmental justice. Fellows will also receive professional development mentorship, coaching, and unique networking opportunities with local climate leaders. Additional development and training opportunities of this fellowship include: 

• Gain experience with hard-to-reach community engagement and case management 
• Receive training on the electric vehicle marketplace, EV charging infrastructure, and state and local rebates available for EV ownership, and auto loan financing.
• Event planning and community outreach
• Gain a deeper understanding of barriers and solutions to California’s transition to 100% EV sales by 2030
• Learn how to incorporate approaches based in Community-Based Social Marketing to plan, implement, and evaluate programs
• Network and collaborate with professionals in the region working on climate change and transportation justice.
• Receive support and guidance on career exploration and professional development

Ecology Action is a well-established non-profit which has been an industry leader since our inception in 1970. With over 120 employees and a B-corp subsidiary (Taper Solutions), we offer a unique workplace environment. We host regular all-staff meetings (in person and remote options), quarterly team gatherings and team building opportunities, and have committees and teams that can be joined to help foster community and awareness around specific topics (e.g. DEI and Fun Committee). Our Community Programs team is all about networking so there are always opportunities to attend partner events and trainings for professional development purposes.

The fellow will participate in a one-day training on their first day with our Ecology Action admin and HR team where they will get an overview of Ecology Action, including the systems we use to stay organized and connected, and they will also receive their IT introduction training with their own laptop and workstation set-up. This position will have one main site supervisor who will set up a training schedule with team leads who the fellow will be working with for introductory trainings during the first 3 weeks of the fellowship. Trainings will include shadow opportunities in the field as well as process trainings in the office. Weekly check-in meetings with both site supervisors on our EV and Resilient Central Coast teams will be established to provide a regular cadence for the fellow to check-in on workload, deliverables, and objectives as well as skill development. Shadow training opportunities throughout the fellowship will be provided to hone specific skills that directly serve the deliverables of the fellowship as well as opportunities to learn from partners and stakeholders in the community as they relate to areas of interest for the fellow. Opportunities could include conferences, trainings, events and more.

ABOUT US

Sustainability Service Corps (SSC) is a bridge-to-career AmeriCorps Fellowship program that delivers professional development to emerging climate protection leaders who implement projects related to sustainability, education, and community engagement for municipalities, nonprofits, schools, and disadvantaged communities across California. 

Upon completion of the term, SSC Fellows receive a Segal Education Award of up to $3,447.50. in return for your service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. 

Eligibility

• AmeriCorps Requirements
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States*
• Ability to pass FBI, CA Department of Justice, out-of-state (if applicable), and National Sex Offender Public Registry background checks prior to service

• Sustainability Service Corps Requirements
• At least 18 years of age
• Test negatively for tuberculosis if working with minors
• Adhere to COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements determined by host organization
• Live in the state of California
• Commitment to the full term of service
• Capability to work in a professional office or field setting 
• Strong verbal and written communication and teamwork skills

• Preferred Qualifications
• Passion for community-oriented climate change solutions and interest in launching a career in sustainability
• Experience with, or training in, climate science, sustainability, environmental justice, education, community outreach, and project management
• Past service experience (e.g., volunteering, community service, etc.)
• Associates degree or above AND/OR relevant experience
• Being local to the community where you will serve

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Bay Area Community Resources, the administrator of Sustainability Service Corps, is an equal opportunity employer. We cultivate an environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all employees and National Service members. We are firmly committed to maintaining an atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. Therefore, we enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this equal opportunity policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.

Salary : $2,839 - $3,448