Host: South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Adaptation (e.g., sea level rise planning, environmental justice, climate migration planning), Climate Mitigation, Renewable Energy, Transportation / Mobility, Waste Management, Water Management
Skills Needed: Community Engagement, Project Management, Community Outreach, Graphic Design,

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid – Fellow must have suitable personal workspace for remote work and personal vehicle for traveling to the office or other locations when necessary.  Fellow is required to work in the office at least twice a week and will assist with weekend and evening events.

Service Needs & Plans

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is a joint powers authority in the southwest region of Los Angeles County with members of 16 cities and the South Bay portions of Los Angeles County. Members share the goal of maximizing the quality of life and productivity of the South Bay sub-region. The sub-region is diverse in geography, population, ethnicity, industry, and climate zones. Residential areas include both disadvantaged (based on CalEnviroscreen3.0) and affluent communities – each with their own challenges. With much ethnic diversity, several languages are spoken.

To guide cities, businesses, and residents to adopt sustainable actions, in 2003 the SBCCOG created the South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC). The SBESC’s mission is to serve the subregion’s constituents as the central hub for energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, renewable energy, and transportation by providing information, programs, projects, and strategies as well as resources to cities, businesses, property owners, and residents. These objectives are met through collaboration with partner agencies who come together to develop, implement, and promote programs. The SBCCOG’s partnerships include Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, SoCal Gas, Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), Water Replenishment District, and West Basin Municipal Water District. Through these partnerships, the SBCCOG and the SBESC provide information, programs, projects, strategies, and resources to cities, businesses, property owners, and residents. The Fellow will help support and manage various community engagement and communication initiatives. As a result, these groups will be better informed of opportunities to contribute to climate action and adaptation efforts in their communities.

Project Description

Under the direction of the SBCCOG, the Fellow will work with at least 15 South Bay public agencies, including utility and water agencies, sanitation districts, County of Los Angeles, and the cities of Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, and Torrance. The Fellow will engage with key stakeholders and conduct outreach to help cities, property owners, businesses, and residents access sustainability resources provided through the SBCCOG SBESC program and many partnerships. As a result, the Fellow will determine the key needs and gaps in the SBCCOG’s outreach and engagement efforts. The Fellow’s primary responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate the SBESC/SBCCOG presence at a minimum of 12 community outreach events to promote programs for water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, organic waste handling, extreme heat, etc. This activity includes helping to find event locations, communicating with partners and event staff, establishing/tracking outreach goals, and implementing marketing strategies.
• Collaborate with SBCCOG staff to develop educational outreach language, graphics, flyers, social media posts, etc.
• Guide volunteers in conducting outreach and facilitating partner program delivery.
• Assist in maintaining lists of events and stakeholder contacts and engagement activities.
• Organize SBESC/SBCCOG event supplies and work with SBCCOG staff to order replacements as needed.
• Regularly share updates with SBCCOG marketing and outreach staff and record notes at meetings
• Serve as a positive representative for SBESC/SBCCOG at community events and in communications with public agencies.
• At the end of the service term, the desired project outcomes are:
• At least 12 new community outreach events coordinated by the Fellow.
• New outreach materials and social media reports to analyze interaction and engagement data.
• Updated event participant and stakeholder contact lists and strategies for retaining participant contacts.

Under the SBESC, program staff work with partner agencies to implement environmental programs with cities both large and small. In doing so, smaller communities such as the cities of Rolling Hills or Lomita that are unable to prioritize sustainability communications due to cost and staff capacity can also achieve energy and water savings. Additionally, the CivicSpark Fellow will help agencies with disadvantaged communities to access sustainability resources to help ensure that these communities are not left behind. Disadvantaged communities are identified through CalEnviroscreen 3.0. Through these efforts, the CivicSpark Fellow will help create equal access to sustainability resources to increase the South Bay’s health and well-being, as well as to reduce its environmental footprint.

Desired Skills

The ideal Fellow will be curious, can work independently but also within a team, and have strong analytical skills. The Fellow should have strong written, and verbal communication skills; be an efficient multitasker; and have basic knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, graphic design, and social media platforms. They should have an interest in learning about local and regional government, energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, recycling, and transportation. Familiarity with local government structure, governance, and website design would be a plus but not required.  Bilingual in Spanish is also desired, but not required.

Organization & Workplace Highlights

The SBCCOG work culture can be described as inclusive, diverse, talented, collaborative and outcome oriented. Staff members reflect a range of characteristics including race, sex, gender, age, work experience and educational background. The SBCCOG prioritizes diversity to gain varying perspectives that enhance the workplace environment and project outcomes.

Community Highlights

Serving with the SBCCOG will provide opportunities to work with stakeholders across various public agencies, utilities, and non-profits in Southern California. Networking activities are abundant, along with the opportunity to develop new skills. The fellow will leave the service year with personal references and projects under their belt to add to a professional portfolio.

The South Bay region is an interesting place to live and work due to its economic and cultural diversity and varying geography – inland, coastal, and hillside communities. Local neighborhoods and towns have unique styles and a variety of food, museums/historical sites, cultural activities, and recreation areas.