Salary Range: $65,000.00 To 85,000.00 Annually  

POSITION SUMMARY:

While every person is affected by the climate crisis, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and multiracial people and other diverse communities have borne and continue to bear a far higher burden from climate inaction.  These individuals and communities have to a large degree been excluded from decision making where conservation policies are designed and advanced, which has had and continues to have a detrimental effect on many aspects of their lives. We can’t adequately or appropriately address climate change without addressing environmental justice and working closely with those most impacted by the complex problems facing disproportionately impacted communities in the Interior West. 

The Equity and Community Engagement Manager will support WRA’s conservation policymaking and advocacy work through just policies that drive equitable outcomes.  The Equity and Community Engagement Manager will foster equity efforts by coaching and supporting WRA team members concerning shared principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as exploring opportunities to strengthen partnerships with diverse communities, individuals, and coalitions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work collaboratively with WRA’s staff to help identify strategic and mutually beneficial opportunities for working in partnership with disproportionately impacted communities and individuals.
• Coach, model, and serve as an equity and engagement expert and advisor for WRA staff seeking to promote equitable community engagement and improve outcomes for historically marginalized communities and individuals.
• Research, develop, and recommend strategies to WRA leadership to foster and advance WRA’s internal and external diversity and equity goals, including close partnership with Human Resources and Marketing and Communications teams.
• In partnership with Government Affairs and other WRA team members, establish new and support ongoing collaborative relationships with community partners, environmental justice coalitions, and government officials through outreach and engagement.
• Manage and maintain strong relationships with a broad set of stakeholders concerning issues that impact their communities.
• Monitor and analyze benchmarks and progress to show the impact and outcome of outreach and engagement efforts, as well as ongoing assessment of workplace practices.

Qualifications & Competencies

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered.  For example, the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

• Three to five years of experience with community engagement or organizing, including direct work experience with equity-centered policy, advocacy or community-based organizations. 
• Experience building relationships with a diverse group of individuals and communities to advance public policy objectives.
• Experience creating and revising guides, tools, and templates to advance equitable and inclusive practices.
• Experience embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles across an organization.
• Understanding of and appreciation for cultural differences.  
• Understanding of and proficiency in addressing systemic barriers disproportionately impacting diverse communities and individuals. 
• Ability to share complex principles in an accessible manner with diverse audiences.
• Ability to monitor and analyze data, identify barriers, and inform stakeholders of progress on initiatives. 
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework and/or a degree in public policy, social justice, psychology, sociology, or humanities.

LOCATION:

This position has the option to work remotely in the Denver- Boulder, CO, metro areas, from one of WRA’s offices in those metro areas, or a hybrid of remote and on-site. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

• The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.
• Prolonged periods of time at a desk and working on a computer.
• Position requires substantial travel by automobile, airplane, etc.  

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Some travel is required for in-person retreats, trainings, and other job specific meetings, within the individual’s state of residence and WRA’s region (approximately 10% to 25% depending on location of work).

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some travel is required.

Salary And Benefits:

The salary range is $65,000 – $85,000. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff accrue seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, accrue twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid parental/family/medical leave; and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Staff based in the Boulder-Denver area receive an RTD Ecopass. Position is full-time exempt.