Host: CA State Water Resources Control Board
Region: Northern California
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Public Health, Waste Management, Water Management, Water Policy
Skills Needed: Project Management, Research, Data Analysis, Environmental Justice, Communication, Critical Thinking

Service Needs & Plans

Tribes partnering with us on this effort will have access to open water data and information to help them better advocate for their interests and various forums.  Over time, the tribes and the California Water Boards will build trust and capacity to do deeper work around the specific outcomes related to water, water quality, and aquatic and land environments that demonstrate the value of tribal ecological knowledge (TEK) and importance of indigenous data sovereignty.

Project Description

The fellow will build on two prior years of work to develop Tribal data products that align with the interests expressed by local beneficiaries we have been working to build capacity around. There are several water data engagement projects that the fellow could choose from that align with their interests and career goals. All projects will have an overarching goal to advance and operationalize open data and racial equity principles and outcomes. Some of these projects include:

-Supporting statewide Tribal engagement and relationship building efforts

Desired Skills

-Project management
-Community engagement/outreach
-Research in environmental justice and related socio-economic demographics and ability to summarize research in writing
-Languages (besides English)
-GIS Mapping
-Data Collection/Visualizations
-Data/Quantitative Analysis
-Environmental/Climate Justice
-Flexible/patient/adaptable
-Works well in a team or individually
-Critical Thinker
-Detail-Oriented and organized
-Accountable
-Strong writing skills
-Strong communication skills

Organization & Community Highlights

The Water Boards mission is to “preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.” The Water Boards acknowledge and dedicate resources to the implementation of the human right to water (Resolution No. 2016-0010/SAFER drinking water program), racial equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion (through resolution 2021-0050 and the recently supported 23-25 Racial Equity Action Plan) as core values in all the work we do. Assembly Bill 2108 went into effect January 2023 and has spurred specific work in community engagement to assess environmental justice impacts associated with waste discharge requirements and other water quality permitting/policies. The Water Boards culture is to provide a work environment free of harassment or discrimination for staff, partners, and the public.

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid