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I’ll never forget the words of Emelda West, a small but mighty grandmother and activist from St. James Parish, La. It was in the late 1990s, and we had just worked together to stop the construction of a plastics plant in her hometown. West put her hand on my arm and said, “Dr. Wright, I just love you. I appreciate the work you’ve done to keep the poisons out of our community. But what we really need now are jobs for our kids.” In the last year, many Americans have awakened to the layered injustices faced by communities of color. There’s the routine harassment and violence at the hands of the police. The polluting facilities — from plastics factories to bus depots and coal-fired power plants — that always seem to land in our neighborhoods. The underfunded schools, inadequate health care, and, as West observed, the persistent and devastating lack of opportunity. In St. James Parish and across the country, our communities are coping with deep-rooted, multifaceted harms. Yes, we need to stop those harms from happening — by stopping the construction of new poison-spewing facilities, for example. But we also need to repair and revitalize the places we call home. It’s a complex challenge that calls for a holistic response. It calls for environmental justice. For years, the mainstream environmental movement focused on a series of separate issues — from saving the whales to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The remedies were also narrowly targeted, through policy measures like cap-and-trade, for example, or techno-fixes like carbon capture and storage. Read more ...
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice is seeking an experienced Network Coordinator. About the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families harmed by pollution and vulnerable to climate change in the Gulf Coast Region through research, education, community and student engagement for policy change, as well as health and safety worker training for environmental careers. The DSCEJ provides opportunities for communities, scientific researchers, and decision makers to collaborate on projects that promote the rights of all people to be free from environmental harm as it impacts health, jobs, housing, education, and overall quality of life. The DSCEJ operates three programs: (1) Research and Policy Studies; (2) Community and Student Education, Training, and Engagement; and (3) Environmental, Health and Safety Worker Training. Navigate NOLA, a division of the DSCEJ, provides social emotional wellness programs for children and adults. The DSCEJ directs and manages the newly re-launched the National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN). DSCEJ is seeking a Network Coordinator for NBEJN who is self-driven and detail-oriented with a demonstrated passion for justice and equity. This individual will report to the Executive Director of DSCEJ. Position The Network Coordinator will play a critical role in helping NBEJN achieve its vision to provide high quality program coordination for members. The Network Coordinator will be responsible for a variety of professional activities to build relationships, trust, and alignment with NBEJN members; coordinate working groups; design, coordinate, and implement campaigns; and conduct qualitative and quantitative evaluations of programs and activities. The individual will be counted on for clear communications, effective organizing and coordination with diverse members, achieving project goals and objectives, and positioning NBEJN and its membership for continued success. Key Responsibilities Oversee program implementation in coordination with the Leadership Team Assist members to grow their organizations and capacities Build strategic partnerships Support consistent and progressive steps toward sustaining NBEJN and achieving programmatic priorities Monitor the status of work plans and priorities derived from the strategic plan; and regularly communicate with DSCEJ staff on the status in order to effectively coordinate accountabilities, objectives, and associated budgets Develop a knowledge management system that ensures maximum sharing of information and learning throughout the organization and the NBEJN membership Specifically, the Network Coordinator will: Support the Leadership Team Maintain regular and effective communications with the NBEJN membership Schedule and organize meetings and events, as well as prepare and maintain agendas and minutes Ensure the implementation of policies and practices Communicate information and updates in a timely manner to the NBEJN membership Keep up-to-date on the plans and activities of the Work Groups, as well as maintain regular attendance at Work Group meetings Assist in developing a centralized information system Assist in disseminating communications to the media and on social media Create and regularly publish an NBEJN e-newsletter Facilitate opportunities for the NBEJN membership to have input on relevant federal and state policymaking Collaborate with DSCEJ staff on joint projects such as webinars, press conferences, etc. Help build positive relations between the Network membership and external parties Assist Network members in accessing communications technology (video conferencing, presentations, etc.) Organize and maintain NBEJN documents, records, photos, images, and videos Occasionally assist with the preparation of reports and proposals Qualifications Bachelor's degree required, graduate degree preferred; at least 6 to 8 years of professional experience in a general management role, preferably in a rapidly evolving institution Highly organized and ability to wear multiple hats in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment; a driving force who manages toward clarity and solutions A successful track record in setting priorities, shaping processes, guiding people and systems, and developing the infrastructure that creates a stronger and more efficient organization Thorough understanding of project management; able to work effectively under pressure to meet tight deadlines and challenging goals A consummate team player with a flexible and creative approach Excellent communication and coalition building skills with an ability to balance, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; high level of knowledge and understanding, especially as it relates to program replication, connecting programs to funding, creatively generating other resources, and building strategic partnerships Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a demonstrated commitment to NBEJN mission It is the policy of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. HOW TO APPLY: Please email a detailed cover letter highlighting your interest, your resume and three professional references to beverlyw@dscej.org. Please include the Network Coordinator Position in the subject line. ...
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice is seeking an experienced Developer/Grants Manager. About the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families harmed by pollution and vulnerable to climate change in the Gulf Coast Region through research, education, community and student engagement for policy change, as well as health and safety worker training for environmental careers. The DSCEJ provides opportunities for communities, scientific researchers, and decision makers to collaborate on projects that promote the rights of all people to be free from environmental harm as it impacts health, jobs, housing, education, and overall quality of life. The DSCEJ operates three programs: (1) Research and Policy Studies; (2) Community and Student Education, Training, and Engagement; and (3) Environmental, Health and Safety Worker Training. Navigate NOLA, a division of the DSCEJ, provides social emotional wellness programs for children and adults. The DSCEJ directs and manages the newly re-launched National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN). DSCEJ is seeking a Developer/Grants Manager who is self-driven and detail-oriented with a demonstrated passion for justice and equity issues. This individual will report to the Executive Director of the DSCEJ. The Developer/Grants Manager is a new position. Key Responsibilities The Developer/Grants Manager will spearhead and build the development function as the DSCEJ continues to grow. This position is responsible for fundraising and development activities. The successful candidate will help forge new relationships to build the visibility, impact, and financial resources of DSCEJ. The Developer/Grants Manager will also design and implement a comprehensive plan for cultivating individual and philanthropic support. The Developer/Grants Manager will have primary responsibility for establishing and implementing the infrastructure for financial sustainability through the solicitation of major gifts, federal and state grants, special fundraising events, and corporate and foundation support. The Developer/Grants Manager will expand and diversify DSCEJ’s donor base/pipeline and work closely with team members to secure funding for new initiatives. In addition, the Developer/Grants Manager will work closely with the board of directors and support board members as they take on more active fundraising roles. Specifically, the Developer/Grants Manager will: • Develop and execute DSCEJ’s annual fundraising plan • Secure financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations • Manage the use of the Raiser's Edge System • Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors • Create and execute a strategy for a large sustained base of annual individual donors • Organize special events • Develop and track proposals as well as prepare reports for all foundation and corporate fundraising Qualifications • Bachelor's degree required, Master's preferred • At least five years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization; demonstrated success in a development function (managing and forging relationships with multiple donor sources) • Demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial and communication skills • Knowledge of the Raiser's Edge System • Demonstrated experience in expanding and cultivating donor relations • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships • Strong organizational skills • Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives • Ability to work both independently without close oversight, and as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside DSCEJ • High energy and passion for DSCEJ’s mission is essential • Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual strategic development plan • Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail It is the policy of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. HOW TO APPLY: Please email a detailed cover letter highlighting your interest, your resume and three professional references to beverlyw@dscej.org. Please include the Developer-Grants Manager Position in the subject line....
