Host: The City of Arvin
Region: Central California
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Affordable Housing, Energy Efficiency, Public Health, Renewable Energy, Urban Planning
Skills Needed: Facilitation, Project Management, Community Outreach, Data Analysis, Flexibility / Adaptability, Self-Motivated

Service Needs & Plans

Situated in southern Kern County, the City of Arvin is in a disadvantaged rural community determined to improve the quality of life for its residents. Linguistically isolated and impoverished, the community faces disproportionate burdens relating to water, air pollution, pesticides, arsenic, and TCPs due to its proximity to stationary and mobile polluting sources and its unique geographic location. Due to the nature of the smaller city and despite limited staff capacity and funding options, Arvin must continue to work towards environmental justice, specifically in the housing sector.
Arvin has the potential to grow as a vibrant city with abundant housing and economic opportunities for residents. The typical household (people or families occupying a residence) in Arvin is greater than the regional average, meaning households may experience overcrowding and need more affordable options. The city wants to expand housing options, align with new legislation affecting housing and zoning, and provide opportunities for residents to live vibrant lives in Arvin.
COVID-19 struck hard in Arvin, as seen throughout the nation in vulnerable communities. The devastation impacted our local economy and the city’s physical condition, including our parks, homes, and businesses. Arvin seeks a fellow to launch new housing programs and initiatives based on community engagement and support staff in research and education around new housing legislation. The City’s Community Development Department seeks support in community engagement, research, and facilitation relating to various housing programs, emphasizing building capacity in the planning department. In this way, the fellow will better meet resident needs at the nexus of environmental justice and housing, addressing historical inequities at all angles.

Project Description

The fellow will work with the Planning Department and Administration teams to prioritize various tasks related to research, community engagement, and implementation of programs. The project’s goals include building equitable community engagement frameworks, creating communication channels with residents, and educating the public on housing programs available to increase housing options in Arvin. The fellow will liaise between consultants, staff, stakeholders, and residents on various housing projects in Arvin.
In this way, the Fellow will support Arvin’s Community Development Department through the planning and coordination of programs in critical areas such as the city’s ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) program, PHLA (Permanent Local Housing Allocation) home rehabilitation program, the development of a new Town Center, and general tasks relating to increasing the housing stock in Arvin through research, planning, community engagement, and program implementation to catalyze action at a community scale:

Planning and Community Development – Housing and building capacity
•Economic development research related to the development of sustainable housing markets. Research about identifying community needs, zoning recommendations, strategies for commercial growth, and economic resilience.
•Lead and facilitate the implementation of the city’s Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) program. Develop general knowledge to assist residents and staff about permitting, floor plans, subsidies, and additional finance options for developing ADUs. Coordinating educational events to the community, including staff, around housing programs to further promote program awareness.
•Lead and facilitate the implementation of the city’s PHLA program. Coordinate with consultants to develop the program and inform residents and staff about opportunities for home rehabilitation. Coordinating outreach events to the community, including staff, around housing programs to further promote program awareness.
•Work with all departments to help facilitate the city’s Town Center project. Coordination with numerous consultants and groups is needed, as the project entails a new supermarket, several retail developments, affordable infill housing, and a new community college.
•Assist the planning department in tasks and research around, but not limited to, affordable housing and infill development to support activities related to the Housing Element, AFFH, housing equity and access, housing affordability, and housing development

Desired Skills

The City of Arvin seeks a hardworking, motivated, and team-oriented fellow to implement community programs related to community development, housing, and more. The role requires someone who can work semi-independently, conduct research, proactively coordinate with other staff members, and project partners, develop well-written educational materials, and think creatively when solving problems and developing products that support the community’s needs. An ideal fellow will have a passion for housing, environmental justice, and community engagement. Knowledge in both these areas is critical to transition to working in a climate action space on a local level.

Knowledge of state housing law and policy, basic planning principles and concepts, and a basic understanding of city government functions would be preferred. Proficiency in various tools like Microsoft products and Calenviroscreen and research and data analysis skills would be ideal. Additionally, experience working and living in disadvantaged communities and Spanish language fluency would be highly desirable.

Organization & Community Highlights

The City of Arvin can provide incredible local government experience to catapult the careers for young professionals desiring to pursue public service, local government capacity building, or jobs in the climate space. Due to the nature of our smaller city, Arvin is connected to dozens of local and state agencies and community-based organizations to facilitate networking opportunities and tasks related to these different arenas. As a small city, a fellow can understand firsthand the public engagement processes, community development, and elected officials’ roles. As a mentor and site supervisor, I strive to collaborate with my fellow to encourage creative solutions to arising problems and needs in the community. Generating leadership opportunities is essential to professional development. I will continue to provide my expertise in fostering community partnerships, program implementation, technical writing, and many opportunities for a CivicSpark Fellow.

The City of Arvin is a collaborative, diverse, and service-driven workplace. The city staff council is committed to providing high levels of service to the community and is willing to do whatever it takes to make a difference in Arvin. The City receives multiple Institute for Local Government Beacon Awards, which recognize commitments to climate action through sustainability best practices and energy savings. The Kern Council of Governments also honored Arvin with a Regional Award of Merit for innovative transportation. A small but mighty staff collaboratively addresses environmental, economic, and social challenges to foster a more vibrant community. Arvin residents are active environmental justice advocates and participate in community-based research, community gardens, and local and County level government. Arvin City also regularly engages with environmental justice groups to support the residents’ concerns. Arvin is also an Ab617 community and has monthly meetings with steering committee members from the Arvin and Lamont areas. reg regularly engages with environmental justice groups to support the residents’

Incorporated in 1960, the City of Arvin’s growth, like much of the surrounding cities in Kern County, is driven by its agricultural community. Situated in the foothills of the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains and a short drive from the Sequoia National Forest and the Kern River, which hosts some of the best river rafting in the county, there is no shortage of adventure surrounding Arvin. With Bakersfield 20 miles to the north and Los Angeles 100 miles to the south, Arvin sits at the crossroads of rural and urban experiences enriched by a diverse and connected community.

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid