Community Advisory Board Coordinator 

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC. 

Position Overview:

The Southern Environmental Law Center has a new position for a Community Advisory Board Coordinator for the Region 4 EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grant Program. SELC was recently selected as a partner to participate in a cooperative agreement with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, to administer federal funds as an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker. This exciting opportunity allows SELC to be an active collaborator as nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, local governments, and other entities apply for environmental justice subgrants.   

 We are seeking an experienced outreach professional to join our team to coordinate four community advisory boards throughout EPA Region 4 and work with SELC staff to support grant implementation.  These decision-making boards will be primarily comprised of individuals from disadvantaged communities across states in Region 4, including tribal and rural communities.   

This position is open to individuals with experience working with disadvantaged communities, in facilitation and conflict resolution, and who are extremely organized. The individual will be comfortable navigating decision-making procedures, meeting protocols, event and meeting planning, distributing minutes, issuing meeting notices and locations, and relaying their knowledge to community-based organizations.  This individual will work closely with SELC’s Environmental Justice Initiative Leader, geospatial team, communications staff, and other attorneys across our region, as well as the other Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker Partner organizations.    

This is a term-limited, full-time, exempt position. The term is three years. The preferred location for this position is SELC’s Chapel Hill, NC office, although other SELC offices can be considered. Please state any office preferences in your cover letter. SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week.  All employees must reside in our region.  

Additional information regarding the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program can be found here:  https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-thriving-communities-grantmaking-program.

Primary Responsibilities: 

The individual can expect to: 

• Identify and recruit, in close collaboration with Grantmaker partners, including SELC and RTI, individuals to participate in community advisory boards in EPA’s Region 4, representing Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. 
• This includes coordination of involvement (i.e. logistics) and replacement of CAB members (in coordination with RTI team) should they become unavailable.  
• Manage the support and stewardship of about 32 community advisory board members across the region. 
• Execute, in concert with those members, grantmaking procedures and protocols for community-level subgrants.  
• In collaboration with RTI’s Participatory Governance team, plan, staff, and guide each board meeting for each of the Community Advisory Boards. 
• Communicate consistently and clearly with SELC’s Environmental Justice Initiative Leader, RTI, and relevant SELC staff to ensure all key stakeholders are abreast/informed of all board proceedings.  
• This position will require some travel in the region, including to community advisory board meetings and SELC offices.   
• Other duties may be required as needed.  

Required Qualifications:  

• Strong project management skills and experience. – You can keep projects on-time and on-budget while ensuring consistent communication to stakeholders and problem-solving over or around project hurdles.  
• Meeting facilitation skills & expertise. – You know how to facilitate well-structured, focused, efficient, and productive meetings.  
• Strong work ethic and sense of initiative. – time is of the essence to assist community-based organizations take full advantage of this federal funding opportunity.  
• Experience working with communities of color and an understanding of, and experience with meaningfully involving, impacted communities in decision-making.  
• Strong active listening and collaboration skills and experience working with community-based organizations. – You can build and strengthen relationships with community members, peers, and partners.  
• The ideal candidate will have a fundamental and deep understanding of the historic and current challenges of environmental injustice, managing grant awards, effective communication and interpersonal skills, a demonstrated ability to work well in a collegial setting, and a strong personal commitment to SELC’s mission.  
•  A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing personal learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area.  

More About SELC:  

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.  

Compensation & Benefits:  

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary range for this position is $70,000- $90,000, commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page. 

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.   

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address. 

To Apply:  

Please click on the "Apply on Company Website" below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is 6/28/2024. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.