Empleos
Community Liaison
Opportunity for Professional Services Contract
The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (Estuario) seeks qualified applicants to work as a Community Liaison under the Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) Restoration Project. The Community Liaison will represent the Estuario and work with JMC adjacent communities located in the municipality of San Juan, the Estuario team, and key stakeholders and partners to kick-start a process to develop the plan to restore the JMC, a critical component of the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) and its urbanized watershed. This role will work closely with a Community Facilitator to support the development and implementation of an outreach and engagement strategy aligned with the project’s goals.
ABOUT ESTUARIO
In November 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to invest in the nation’s infrastructure and resilience, with major focus on environmental justice and climate change. Estuario will use BIL funding to kickstart a planning process for the Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) restoration project. The Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) is located within the San Juan municipality in a heavily urbanized watershed. The headwater portion drains from the east part of Nuevo Milenio State Forest, moving through communities like Capetillo, Villa Capri, Dos Pinos, Manuel A. Pérez, Truman, Israel, Cantera, and discharges into the San José Lagoon. This creek was channelized using traditional methods during the midcentury and suffers from extensive deterioration due to lack of maintenance. This project will center the use of high-impact blue/green infrastructure, nature-based solutions and environmental justice throughout its planning, design and implementation phases to support resilience and climate adaptability at diverse scales.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Community Liaison will be instrumental for fostering the relationship between the Estuario and the communities adjacent to the Creek that will help steward the restoration of the JMC. This role will engage in the development and implementation of outreach, engagement and education initiatives in close collaboration with the Estuario team, key stakeholders, and partners to kick-start a process to develop the plan to restore the JMC. This role will be tasked with developing and leading the implementation of an education strategy aligned with overall project goals and objectives.
The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary is a 501©3 non-profit organization that operates the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership, or Estuario. The Estuario became part of the National Estuary Program (NEP) in 1994 and is the only tropical and non-continental location within the NEP under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act. The Estuario’s mission is to restore and conserve the waters and associated ecosystems of the San Juan Bay Estuary and its watershed as a sustainable axis of social and economic development. The work is guided by the Estuario Plan, a master restoration plan for the San Juan Bay Estuary officially known as the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).
ABOUT THE PROJECT
In November 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to invest in the nation’s infrastructure and resilience, with major focus on environmental justice and climate change. Estuario will use BIL funding to kickstart a planning process for the Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) restoration project. The Juan Méndez Creek (JMC) is located within the San Juan municipality in a heavily urbanized watershed. The headwater portion drains from the east part of Nuevo Milenio State Forest, moving through communities like Capetillo, Villa Capri, Dos Pinos, Manuel A. Pérez, Truman, Israel, Cantera, and discharges into the San José Lagoon. This creek was channelized using traditional methods during the midcentury and suffers from extensive deterioration due to lack of maintenance. This project will center the use of high-impact blue/green infrastructure, nature-based solutions and environmental justice throughout its planning, design and implementation phases to support resilience and climate adaptability at diverse scales.
Responsibilities:
The service provider will:
- Conduct research, mapping, and analysis related to the communities, stakeholders and ongoing projects relevant to JMC.
- Work closely with the Community Facilitator and Estuario to support the development of participatory strategies and tools for meaningful community engagement.
- Implement a community engagement and education strategy focused on JMC water quality, waste management, and nature-based solutions, including evaluation metrics.
- Coordinate and develop educational activities and materials in line with the stakeholder outreach & engagement strategy.
- Build relationships with JMC communities and stakeholders to support project goals.
- Document and follow up on stakeholder communication, engagement, and education efforts (develop/ manage the stakeholder database as related to the JMC project)
- Document and address community inquiries and concerns and ensure timely responses to feedback.
- Organize and coordinate events, including scheduling, logistics, setup and documentation.
- Maintain organized records of materials, documentation, minutes, and follow up related to stakeholder activities, events, and meetings.
All Service Providers are expected to:
- Coordinate any and all meetings with stakeholders, partners, and the general public as necessary.
- Submit written reports to Estuario as requested.
- Provide own assistants, as needed.
- Cover own business and travel expenses and tools, including transportation, computer, computer software and licenses, materials, etc.
- Be able to provide evidence of liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
- Be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service, both at the federal and state level.
Required Qualifications (Education and Experience):
- Bachelor’s Degree (preferred field: Community Social Work, Education, Environmental Sciences, Social Ecology, Urban Planning, or related areas).
- Experience organizing or working with environmental justice communities.
- At least 5 years working experience is preferred (all levels considered).
- Experience in building just working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including high-level executives, public servants, and community members.
- Comfortable working outdoors, including in challenging weather and terrain.
- Detail-oriented with strong oral, written, and graphic communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently, efficiently managing time.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, cloud-based software (e.g., Google Drive), and Adobe.
- Must provide their own computer and transportation.
Start Date:
Candidates will ideally be available to immediately.
Compensation:
$25/ hour
Language Required:
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their resume/CV by email no later than January 8, 2025: [email protected]. The email must be directed to Brenda Torres, Executive Director, and must specify in the subject the title of the position, <Community Liaison>.
Sources of funding:
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership. The Corporation for the Conservation of the SJBE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics. MBE/WBE and other certified minorities and small businesses are encouraged to apply.
