Senior Specialist, Climate Resilient Water Systems

Duration

This is a two-year fixed-term position with full benefits and the possibility of extension.

Location

This position is based remotely in California in or near the San Joaquin Valley or Salinas Valley

Climate Resilient Water Systems Overview

The Climate Resilient Water Systems (CRWS) workstream is dedicated to developing water management and policy solutions that balance water supply and demand and increase the resilience of water systems. EDF focuses on strong science, uncommon partnerships, and economically sensible approaches to develop and implement practical solutions that serve the water resource needs of people and the environment. EDF has established a reputation as both a trusted and credible partner with diverse stakeholders, governments, and water agencies; and as an advocate for transformational change in water policy and practices that incorporate ecosystem goals. The work currently is focused within with United States in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Kansas, as well as globally in India and China, with exploration of new work in other locations around the world.

O

verall Function

EDF seeks a self-motivated Senior Specialist, Climate Resilient Water Systems to play a significant role in the execution of EDF’s water team strategies, including California’s implementation of the Water Leadership Institute and advancing holistic approaches to create more resilient and equitable water and land systems across the state. The Senior Specialist will support outreach and engagement with vulnerable communities, foster strategic relationships and collaborations within rural communities and the environmental justice community, conduct analyses, and foster collaboration among NGO’s, academics, agencies, water districts, and agricultural partners. They will also support the implementation of justice and equity initiatives and application of programs such as the Water Leadership Institute in other Western states. The position offers the opportunity to support a multidisciplinary team working to accelerate our strategic vision for improving environmental resilience, community health and wellbeing, and agricultural sustainability.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Climate Resilient Water Systems and working closely with other members of the Water and broader EDF Agriculture, Water and Food team as well as the Justice & Equity team, along with select advisors and consultants, the Senior Specialist will make significant contributions to help advance the Agriculture, Water and Food Impact program priorities for lasting environmental change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support community engagement efforts with vulnerable communities, grassroots organizations, and environmental justice groups in California, including regular in-person presence in the San Joaquin and Salinas Valleys to attend partner events, host workshops, and build trusted relationships.
• Lead the planning and implementation of the Water Leadership Institute cohorts in California.
• Coordinate and conduct outreach for the Water Leadership Institute in California through in-person and virtual meetings with potential participants and alumni.
• Support the facilitation of Water Leadership Institute workshops in California, including presentations on water education, leadership development, and storytelling.
• Maintain ongoing engagement and support for WLI California 2024 alumni, with the support of broader EDF Water Leadership Institute team.
• Participate in advancing EDF organizational effectiveness and culture goals so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
• Support partnership management of key WLI California collaborators, including Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, Multi-benefit Land Repurposing grantees and collaborators, and other local partners.
• Support the implementation of the CRWS Team’s Justice and Equity Strategic Plan.
• Support research to betterunderstandhistoric and engrainedinequities in watermanagement practices to informequitable water management strategies.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data from community engagement activities, leadership program evaluations, and groundwater initiatives to identify trends, assess impact, and inform program improvements with a justice-centered lens.
• Provide recommendations on how to strengthen EDF’s efforts to advance water equity, community engagement, and environmental justice.
• Co-develop and apply metrics to evaluate the success of community-based water initiatives and leadership programs.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings with partners and consultants, including agenda development and follow-up tracking.
• Attend relevant internal and external meetings.
• May coach, guide, mentor, and manage interns, as needed.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• 4+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, management, public policy, social science or related field required. A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for up to 2 years of relevant experience. Additional relevant years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the degree requirement.
• Demonstrated interest in water management, food/agriculture systems, environmental justice/advocacy, or community outreach and engagement.
• Experience working with vulnerable communities and/or Tribes on conservation issues preferred.
• Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with experience performing rigorous analysis in support of highly visible work.
• Proactive, organized, and detail oriented.
• Ability to prioritize workload, adapt quickly to new situations and changing demands, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently recommend and determine approaches to completing projects and managing processes where precedents are not always available.
• Strong research, verbal and written, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex and technical subject matter to general audiences.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively as a member of small teams with cross-functional colleagues spread across time zones.
• Independent judgment required to plan, prioritize, and organize a diverse workload.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Proficiency in the Spanish language is preferred and highly encouraged.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 30% of the time, primarily within the San Joaquin and Salinas Valleys.