Asian Pacific Environmental Network - Oakland, CA - Outreach Fellow and Development Director (two positions)

[Jake Soiffer]

Hi all!

We at the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) are hiring immediately for two positions in Oakland, CA. Descriptions included below. APEN is a grassroots community organization that fights for environmental justice, affordable housing, and a regenerative economy in Asian immigrant and refugee communities in California.

Please let me know of any questions. Thank you!

Best,

Clio Soiffer

Digital Organizing Coordinator, APEN

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SOLAR ON MULTIFAMILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING (SOMAH) Outreach Fellow

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) is seeking a highly motivated outreach fellow to help lead implementation of the landmark Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program, which allocates $1 billion for installation of rooftop solar on multifamily affordable housing in disadvantaged or low-income communities. APEN staff worked with our community leaders helped pass the SOMAH policy in 2015, and now have the opportunity to ensure tenant education, advocacy, and responsible feedback continues to be integral in the roll-out. 

The SOMAH Fellow will build upon the organization’s success in strengthening the power and voice of Asian American immigrant and refugee communities who lay at the intersection of renewable energy access, climate resiliency, and affordable housing. This position is a full-time, 1-year internship based in our downtown Oakland office and will require regular travel between Oakland and Richmond. The SOMAH Outreach Fellow will report to the Local Policy Associate and will work closely with policy staff and other key leaders. 

THE ORGANIZATION

APEN was founded in 1993 with the belief that all of us have the right to a clean and healthy environment, in which we can live, work, learn, play, and thrive. APEN amplifies the voice of low-income community members, setting the agenda for environmental, social and economic justice. By building an organized movement, we are bringing fundamental changes to economic and social institutions to make them prioritize public good over profits and honor the right of every person to a decent, safe, affordable quality of life, and the right to participate in decisions affecting our lives. APEN holds this vision of environmental justice for all people. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The SOMAH Outreach Fellow will play a crucial role in ensuring working class, including monolingual tenants in affordable rental housing in Oakland and Richmond are given access to the benefits of shared solar. This fellowship will support APEN’s local organizing team, our state team, and the communications team to successfully implement the SOMAH program locally. The fellow will conduct tenant workshops, outreach, and coordinate with our local and statewide partners.

Applicants must be committed to APEN’s mission and be organized, detail-oriented and have a demonstrated ability to organize people to action. A track record of environmental justice work, familiarity with the Asian American community and CA state policy is preferred. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development of popular education materials around SOMAH and solar for affordable housing tenants 
• Outreach to tenants in affordable housing properties and table 
• Lead community workshops and table and regular community events
• Work with the Communications team to roll out targeted communications to tenants in eligible buildings.
• Highlight the importance of solar in disadvantaged communities, through developing dynamic communications materials that showcase tenant stories and elevate our environmental justice framework.
• Ensure meaningful tenant participation in how solar systems are installed on site to ensure the greatest benefit for residents.
• Build and coordinate strong relationships with local and statewide alliances and partners
• Maintain role as an active resource to statewide Asian American organizations interested in implementing SOMAH in their areas.
• Develop and implement train-the-trainer workshops for partner organizations.
• Outreach to local eligible multifamily affordable housing property owners and developers 
• Track and assess methods of outreach regularly. 

Qualifications:

• Two or more years experience in community organizing or coalition-building
• Commitment to advancing environmental justice and climate solutions
• Familiarity with state policy and the legislative process
• Ability to work well both independently and within teams
• Excellent, detail-oriented project management skills
• Strong training or facilitation skills
• Ability to multi-task and take on additional work as required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
• Preference given to candidates with language capacities in Cantonese or Spanish

Salary and Benefits 

The SOMAH fellow will be compensated $49,920 for the one year term of the internship. APEN also offers a generous benefits package that includes: health, dental and vision; vacation and sick time. APEN is a family-friendly employer. 

Application Process

Applications are due electronically (please use subject line “SOMAH Fellow”) to Shina Robinson at apen(AT)apen4ej(DOT)org. 

The email must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing interest in the position and qualifications
• Three references, including at least one previous supervisor

APEN is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, queer, and gender non-conforming people strongly encourage to apply. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Preference given to applications received by July 26, 2019.

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DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

THE OPPORTUNITY

APEN seeks an experienced and highly motivated Development Director. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional who has run a successful fund development program, with an emphasis on major donor and individual giving. The Development Director will lead and build the capacity of our growing development team, manage the all aspects of APEN’s fund development strategy to raise our $3.5M and growing budget, and build our individual donor fundraising capacity. The right candidate will have a community organizing background, great management skills, a creative spark, attention to detail, and excellent writing skills. They will also use their exemplary communication skill to convey compelling stories of building power in Asian American immigrant and refugee communities, the value of environmental and climate justice, integrated voter engagement and APEN’s impact in these areas.

THE ORGANIZATION

APEN was founded in 1993 with the belief that all of us have the right to a clean and healthy environment, in which we can live, work, learn, play and thrive. APEN amplifies the voice of low-income community members, setting the agenda for environmental, social and economic justice. By building an organized movement, we are bringing fundamental changes to economic and social institutions to make them prioritize public good over profits and honor the right of every person to a decent, safe, affordable quality of life, and the right to participate in decisions affecting our lives. APEN holds this vision of environmental justice for all people.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Team Management (Approx. 40% FTE)

• Co-design and manage APEN’s fund development strategy to raise funds across multiple revenue sources in collaboration with APEN’s Executive Director.
• Implementation of long and short-term fund development strategies in collaboration with APEN’s ED, Board, development staff and Leads Team.
• Supervise the Grants Manager and oversee the development and production of grant proposals to meet annual fundraising goal, representing approximately 35 foundations per year.
• Support the Development Team to ensure the timely submission of grant proposals, letters of inquiry and reports, which includes maintaining a grants calendar and complying with all reporting requirements.
• Support the Grants Manager to develop compelling case statements, program proposals, and grant budgets.
• Organize & support APEN staff and consultants to create and implement foundation fundraising goals, strategies and evaluating mechanisms.
• Help identify foundation prospects and develop appropriate strategies for approaching prioritized foundations in coordination with the Executive Director and Grants Manager.
• Oversee the maintenance of data entry systems for foundation, donor, and supporter tracking and ensure the development of effective reporting formats.

Individual Donor Program Management (50% FTE)

• Develop and manage a portfolio of individual donors, with a goal of raising $30k in 2019, and increasing donor performance by 30% in 2020.
• Collaborate with program staff to maximize potential of all fundraising opportunities.
• Oversee donor communications, in partnership with the Digital Engagement Manager, to ensure that donors and prospects are engaged, informed, and thanked for their participation in a timely manner.
• Co-design and oversee all fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events including direct mail campaigns, special events, monthly donor program, phone banking, and other strategies.
• Create and coordinate strategies to cultivate and partner with higher-level donors working closely with the Executive Director, APEN staff and Board.
• Create plans to train and involve APEN staff, board, members and volunteer components to engage in individual fundraising work.
• Coordinate the design, production and mailing of direct mail appeals, and other donor mailings
• Ensure the regular updating and maintenance of APEN database, donor tracking, and donor acknowledgement process.

Organizational leadership (10% FTE)

• Participate in board development by attending board meetings as needed and preparing fundraising updates.
• Provide leadership in long-term fund development planning to diversify APEN’s funding sources

Required Experience and Qualifications

• A track record of strong fund development work for non-profit organizations
• Excellent writing skills and ability to develop compelling stories
• Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant and refugee communities of color and for racial and economic justice
• Ability to lead organization-wide processes to advance fund development
• Familiarity with grassroots organizing, advocacy and electoral engagement techniques
• Strong time management and work planning skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Flexible and team-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Familiarity with 501 c3 and 501 c4 structures a plus
• Willingness to travel, within California and nationally

SALARY and BENEFITS

Salary DOE, competitive salary range.  APEN also offers its staff a generous benefits package that includes, health, dental and vision; vacation and sick time; 401k contributions and an opportunity to qualify for a sabbatical. APEN is a family-friendly employer.

APPLICATIONS

Applications are due electronically to: Joty Sohi at Joty(AT)apen4ej(DOT)org. Please use “Development Director hire” in subject line. The email must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing interest in the position and qualifications
• Three references, including at least one previous supervisor

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

APEN is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, queer and gender non-conforming people are encouraged to apply.