RIVER REGION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FELLOW
The Alabama Rivers Alliance is hiring a River Region Community Engagement Fellow. This is a one-year grant funded fellowship with potential for future employment with the organization if funding opportunities are available. We strongly encourage applicants from the Montgomery / River Region area.
Alabama Rivers Alliance, founded in 1997, is a statewide network of groups working to protect and restore all of Alabama’s water resources through building partnerships, empowering citizens, and advocating for sound water policy and its enforcement. Today, the Alabama Rivers Alliance is nationally recognized for our work protecting and defending Alabama’s rivers, and water resources for people and nature. Our movement consists of more than 100 community-based and watershed-based partners. Click here to read our strategic plan.
The River Region Community Engagement Fellowship will work under two specific grant funded areas:
Alabama River Community Engagement
The Alabama Rivers Alliance received funding from the Montgomery City Council to gather useful information from community members, partner organizations and local businesses about their use of, interest in and concerns about the Alabama River through community meetings, one on one meetings and online surveying. The data will be compiled into a report to help the City personnel better engage the community in the work they are doing to promote the river as a community resource, and to provide recreational opportunities along the riverfront. This portion of the work will also include working closely with the start-up all volunteer organization, Friends of the Alabama River, to build up their organization and plan for the future of this important work beyond this fellowship.
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Community Engagement
This portion of the fellowship will be funded under other grant sources and will consist of meeting with community leaders, water utilities and local government officials in communities across central Alabama to provide information about access to funding and assistance for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. This will also be an opportunity to learn about their wastewater and drinking water infrastructure challenges as well as any challenges they may have faced in seeking government funding for their projects or solutions for water issues. This portion of the fellowship will include training from ARA’s Director of Advocacy Research and the selected candidate will assist them in coordinating the already formed Alabama Water Infrastructure Advocates Coalition.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A degree, demonstrated skills, OR experience in environmental related field, preferably in the nonprofit sector and/or community advocacy work
- Excellent oral and written communications skills and comfort communicating with diverse groups including community members, business leaders and local government officials
- Connections to and/or knowledge of the Montgomery area and communities surrounding
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and with flexibility
- Ability to follow directions, exercise sound independent judgment, work independently and on a team, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality
- Familiarity with these or similar computer programs: GSuite programs (Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.), Canva, Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other Office programs and the ability to quickly learn other programs as needed
- Experience working with video based meeting systems (e.g. Zoom), or the ability to learn
- A commitment to environmental justice and desire to protect Alabama’s rivers and streams
- Candidates must be willing to work some evenings and weekends, as needed
- Some travel may be required (in state)
SALARY AND BENEFITS
This is a one-year contract position of $40,000 for 30 hours/week plus expenses covered for travel and other work related expenses (health insurance stipend is negotiable). Flexible work schedule. Alabama Rivers Alliance is an equal opportunity employer. The organization maintains an office in Birmingham, but this position will work remotely from Montgomery, Alabama. The River Region Community Engagement Fellow will report to the Executive Director.
Qualified candidates are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.
TO APPLY
Send resume and cover letter to [email protected] with subject line: RR Community Engagement Fellow or mail to Alabama Rivers Alliance, Community Engagement Search c/o Cindy Lowry, 4439 5th Avenue South, Suite 1000; Birmingham, AL 35222. Questions can be e-mailed to the same email address. Phone calls are highly discouraged. Application deadline is February 7, 2025.