Below is a list of projects in the Northern California Region for the 2025-2026 service year. To see Southern California Projects CLICK HERE.
Each project section includes the project name, agency name, city, the number of Fellows that will be serving in the project (“Openings”), the focus areas, and desired skills for the project. To view a full description of the project, click on the “Project Description” under the ones you are interested in.
Organization: City of Union City
Location: Union City, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Project Management, Data Analysis and Collection, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Union City is the primary agency served by this project, which seeks to update its Climate Action Plan (CAP) to align with evolving state regulations and climate challenges. This update will support the City’s capacity to monitor progress on previous initiatives, meet new regulatory requirements, and establish a clear roadmap for climate action through 2040. Developing the CAP requires addressing key community priorities and challenges.
The project aims to address key community-identified priorities such as:
The project may also have its share of challenges, including, but not limited to:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Union City is a dynamic and diverse community located in the heart of the East San Francisco Bay Area. Union City is a vibrant community that blends a small-town feel with the opportunities of the greater Bay Area. Located just minutes from San Francisco and Silicon Valley, the city offers the best of both worlds—access to major economic and cultural hubs while maintaining a close-knit, welcoming atmosphere. With a mission to enhance quality of life and economic vitality, Union City is committed to sustainability, professionalism, integrity, belonging, and respect in all aspects of governance and community service.
Living and working in Union City provides a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking and inclusive community. The City values long-term sustainability, fosters professional growth, and emphasizes transparency and equity in public service. Fellows will have the chance to engage with a diverse population, contribute to meaningful initiatives, and develop skills in local government and community planning, all while being part of a city that truly prioritizes the well-being of its residents and workforce.
Organization: Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Technical Writing, Data Analysis, Research, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The fellowship will support city, county, and other local government staff in advancing resilient housing initiatives. The project will synthesize the latest legislation, scientific research, and case studies on wildfire, seismic, and sea level rise resilience. It will produce resource guides and workshops tailored for local government staff, equipping them with actionable insights. These materials aim to reduce future disaster-related home damage, fostering long-term affordability and community stability.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Resilient Housing. MTC and ABAG are working with state and local partners to support efforts to address wildfire and seismic deficiencies in existing residential buildings. Hundreds of thousands of homes in the nine-county region are vulnerable to damage in future wildfires and earthquakes. Past efforts by MTC, ABAG and partners have helped identify where risks are greatest in the region; this fellowship will support technical assistance efforts with local governments in the region to advance wildfire home hardening and seismic retrofits.
The fellow will support research tasks at the regional and local level, support with preparing memos and presentations, and attend workshops and collaborative meetings. Over the year, the fellow will help cities prepare to adopt policies and programs that improve wildfire and seismic resilience and identify approaches to integrate means-based and equity elements into the program design.
The fellow will also support regional planners at MTC and ABAG in partnership with the San Francisco Bay Conservation Development Commission (BCDC) to consider how future development and regional land use should incorporate sea level rise inundation as part of future regional plans.
The Regional Planning Program at MTC/ABAG is working to develop a metrics dashboard to track progress on Plan Bay Area 2050+ and key regional goals, building on the success of the current Vital Signs website. The fellow will support regional planners with finalizing tracking metrics and develop creative and effective ways to communicate key trends through both data and storytelling.
In addition to tracking progress on regional goals, the fellow will support resilience and environmental planners at MTC/ABAG provide analysis and guidance to Bay Area jurisdictions on a broad set of funding programs that can support sea level rise adaptation, including both state and federal resources.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) are the metropolitan planning organization and council of governments for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The agencies plan for and implement a diverse work portfolio. In 2021 the agencies adopted an equity platform that informs all internal and external work of the agency which led to many policy changes. MTC staff are passionate about advancing a more affordable, connected, healthy, diverse, and vibrant region. Fellows can expect to spend a good portion of their average week problem-solving with other planners. As a physical and virtual coordinating hub for the region, MTC/ABAG is often in the host role for regional conversations where staff and elected officials gather to discuss planning challenges. Fellows can expect to participate in workshops, committee meetings, and networking events relevant to the projects they work on as well as others that interest them.
Organization: Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Technical Writing, Data Analysis, Research, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The fellow will primarily assist San Francisco Bay Area regional planners at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission with Plan Bay Area 2060, MTC/ABAG’s next long-range regional plan. The plan seeks to shape future transportation, land use and environmental policies and investments to achieve a vibrant Bay Area that is connected, equitable and sustainable, as well as guide the future work of MTC/ABAG and partner agencies.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Every four years, MTC/ABAG updates its long-range regional plan connecting transportation, housing, and the environment. The current adopted plan is Plan Bay Area 2050 (adopted in 2021) and Plan Bay Area 2050+, a minor update, is slated for adoption in early 2026. Kicking off externally in mid-2026 will be a major update cycle that explores bold policy shifts and integrates new planning frameworks. The fellow would be part of a team of experienced planners leading efforts such as scenario planning, performance-based project prioritization and policy evaluations. Such efforts in past plan cycles have explored the resilience of transportation and land use policies against political, technological, economic and environmental forces such as automation and sea level rise, and the cost-effectiveness and equity impacts of major transit, roadway and active transportation projects. These efforts would inform strategies, investments and policies that create a blueprint for growth in the Bay Area through the year 2060.
The nature of specific tasks for the fellow could include desktop research, collaborative problem-solving, data analysis and visualization, deriving insights from data, preparing presentations and other communication materials, participating in team meetings and workshops, and various other tasks to assist the team. Focusing across transportation, land use, housing, and the environment, the fellow will be exposed to a broad range of policy areas with an emphasis on equity and resilience as critical lenses. The role would also involve working cross-functionally with modeling and public engagement staff as well as interacting with external stakeholders during the planning process.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) are the metropolitan planning organization and council of governments for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The agencies plan for and implement a diverse work portfolio. In 2021 the agencies adopted an equity platform that informs all internal and external work of the agency which led to many policy changes. MTC staff are passionate about advancing a more affordable, connected, healthy, diverse, and vibrant region. Fellows can expect to spend a good portion of their average week problem-solving with other planners. As a physical and virtual coordinating hub for the region, MTC/ABAG is often in the host role for regional conversations where staff and elected officials gather to discuss planning challenges. Fellows can expect to participate in workshops, committee meetings, and networking events relevant to the projects they work on as well as others that interest them.
Organization: Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Location: San Francisco, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Project Planning, Marketing, Bilingual, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
CivicSpark fellow will serve as a member of the Access, Culture, and Racial Equity (ACRE) team at MTC and ABAG, serving the 9-county SF Bay Area.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1. Overarching Goals of the Project: The primary goal of the ACRE initiatives is to promote equitable access to transportation and regional planning resources across the Bay Area. This involves addressing systemic barriers that marginalized communities face and ensuring that all residents have fair opportunities to benefit from regional development projects.
2. Role of the Fellow in the Project: The Fellow will play a crucial role in supporting the ACRE team by assisting in the planning and execution of key initiatives such as MetroTalks and the Summer High School Academy. Additionally, the Fellow will contribute to parallel team projects, including the BayLink project, which aims to add bike lanes to the Bay Bridge, and a community engagement project with the Bay Conservation and Development Commission.
3. Desired Project Outcomes in Terms of Resources Developed:
Reports and Plans: The Fellow will help develop comprehensive reports and strategic plans that outline the progress and future steps of the ACRE initiatives.
Networks: The Fellow will facilitate the creation of networks among community stakeholders, regional agencies, and advocacy groups to foster collaboration and shared learning.
Educational Programs: The Fellow will assist in organizing educational programs like the Summer High School Academy, which aims to engage and inspire the next generation of leaders in regional planning and transportation.
4. How These Resources Will Help Increase the Agency’s Capacity: The resources developed through these projects will significantly enhance the agency’s ability to address equity challenges by providing clear, actionable plans and fostering strong community partnerships. The reports and plans will serve as guiding documents for future initiatives, ensuring that equity considerations remain central to the agency’s work. The networks established will create a robust support system for ongoing and future projects, while the educational programs will build a pipeline of informed and engaged community members who can advocate for and contribute to equitable regional development.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) are the metropolitan planning organization and council of governments for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The agencies plan for and implement a diverse work portfolio. In 2021 the agencies adopted an equity platform that informs all internal and external work of the agency which led to many policy changes. MTC staff are passionate about advancing a more affordable, connected, healthy, diverse, and vibrant region. Fellows can expect to spend a good portion of their average week problem-solving with other planners. As a physical and virtual coordinating hub for the region, MTC/ABAG is often in the host role for regional conversations where staff and elected officials gather to discuss planning challenges. Fellows can expect to participate in workshops, committee meetings, and networking events relevant to the projects they work on as well as others that interest them.
Organization: Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Location: San Francisco, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, Software Programming/Website Updates, Research, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The fellowship will support the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Public Engagement Team in implementing enhanced data visualization and storytelling functionality on the organization’s websites in order to more effectively communicate about a variety of projects and programs.
The primary focus of this fellowship will be Plan Bay Area—a long-range regional plan developed every four years that charts the course for the Bay Area’s future. It identifies a path to make the region more equitable for all residents and more resilient in the face of unexpected challenges. The latest version of the plan—Plan Bay Area 2050—is made up of 35 strategies across four key elements: transportation, housing, the economy and the environment.
It is anticipated that the next version of the plan, a limited and focused update known as Plan Bay Area 2050+, will be adopted in early 2026. Shortly thereafter, staff plan to launch the redesigned Plan Bay Area website. The website will serve as a key engagement platform for the plan development process, satisfying state and federal requirements for public participation.
Engaging communities on the development of Plan Bay Area requires explaining complex planning concepts such as important trends in transportation, housing, the economy and the environment, which are often presented in formats that are difficult for the general public to understand. This presents a barrier for many community members to effectively engage in the crafting of policy that will impact their lives for years to come.
To make information accessible and understandable for all, it is essential to format this data into easy-to-understand visualizations and interactive dashboards. The goal of this project is to support MTC in providing accurate, timely and relevant data visualizations and dashboards on its websites, such as mtc.ca.gov and planbayarea.org.
Democratizing access to data will empower all community members with the information they need to make informed decisions about key issues affecting the Bay Area’s future.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The overarching goal of the Fellow’s capacity-building project will be to support MTC in developing and deploying data visualizations and interactive dashboards across a broad range of agency websites.
The Fellow will support activities in the data visualization and dashboarding lifecycle, such as collecting stakeholder requirements; collecting, cleaning and preparing datasets; creating data visualizations and/or dashboards; deploying the dashboards; maintaining and updating the dashboards; and working with stakeholders to ensure that the dashboards meet their needs.
As a result of visualizing important datasets in this way, the key outcomes are expected to be:
-Enhanced accessibility of important data for all community members;
-Increased community engagement with MTC’s data resources; and
-Improved decision-making capabilities for residents on transportation, housing, economic and environmental issues.
The Fellow will be instrumental in helping MTC staff understand and develop the “muscle memory” of building, deploying and maintaining web-based data visualizations and dashboards. The Fellow will help build a strong data culture that will support the deployment of future data visualizations and dashboards and further enhance the community’s accessibility and engagement with MTC’s data resources.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) are the metropolitan planning organization and council of governments for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The agencies plan for and implement a diverse work portfolio. In 2021 the agencies adopted an equity platform that informs all internal and external work of the agency which led to many policy changes. MTC staff are passionate about advancing a more affordable, connected, healthy, diverse, and vibrant region. Fellows can expect to spend a good portion of their average week problem-solving with other planners. As a physical and virtual coordinating hub for the region, MTC/ABAG is often in the host role for regional conversations where staff and elected officials gather to discuss planning challenges. Fellows can expect to participate in workshops, committee meetings, and networking events relevant to the projects they work on as well as others that interest them.
Organization: City of Santa Rosa
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Relationship Management, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This project will assist Santa Rosa Water with administering the Water Use Efficiency Direct Install Project, which aims to install water efficient fixtures including toilets, shower-heads, and faucet aerators at residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers across Santa Rosa. The CivicSpark fellow will assist in a water use efficiency project which will lower total water use in the City of Santa Rosa.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Water Use Efficiency Direct Install Project will contract with plumbers to install approximately 2,500 high efficiency fixtures such as toilets, showerheads and faucet aerators at locations throughout Santa Rosa. The CivicSpark Fellow will develop skills in program management, customer service, grant reporting, budget tracking, marketing materials development and program evaluation. The CivicSpark Fellow will:
In addition to this project, there may be an opportunity for you to create an additional project that would both benefit our Water Use Efficiency goals and aids you learning something that you are interested in. This project would be determined once you have a better idea of what subjects may be of interest to you and how much additional time you will have to pursue it while working on the Direct Install Program as your main focus.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of Santa Rosa, Water Department’s (also called Santa Rosa Water) main goal is to provide a safe, economical, dependable, and environmentally friendly water supply for our community. Our workplace culture is governed by The Basic Principles, which include: 1) Focus on the situation, issue or behavior, not the person, 2) Maintain the self-confidence and self-esteem of your coworkers, 3) Maintain a good relationship with your co-workers and your supervisor, 4) Take initiative to make things a little better, 5) Lead by example. These Principles are not just guidelines but requirements of our workplace, and are demonstrated through our actions in our office. The overall culture of the Water Use Efficiency team is close knit, collaborative, kind, supportive and fun. We like sharing baked goods, and taking walks together on the creek paths that run behind our office building.
Equity is identified as one of the City Council’s priorities, and the City of Santa Rosa seeks to establish a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. To help achieve this goal, the City has just finished work with an equity and organizational development consulting team that collaborated directly with staff to develop the roadmap for how to get there. More info is at www.srcity.org/3610/Equity-SR.
Working for the City of Santa Rosa will help a CivicSpark Fellow gain valuable work skills in program management, customer service, grant reporting, budget tracking, marketing materials development and program evaluation.
Living in Santa Rosa, California, offers a range of benefits and community highlights which include some of the following:
Overall, Santa Rosa offers a dynamic and thriving community with diverse opportunities for young adults to live, work, and play. From outdoor adventures and cultural experiences to career opportunities and community engagement, Santa Rosa provides a rich and vibrant environment for young adults to explore and grow.
Organization: Santa Clara Valley Water
Location: San Jose, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Technical Writing, Community Engagement, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This fellow will assist with developing Valley Water’s Watershed Master Plans, which provide comprehensive management strategies for water resource in Santa Clara County, California. Valley Water is an agency with the mission of water supply, flood protection, and environmental stewardship for Santa Clara County (Silicon Valley). The plan addresses community resilience by diversifying water sources, promoting conservation and efficiency, investing in resilient infrastructure, prioritizing environmental stewardship, addressing climate change, and engaging the community. This holistic approach addresses the interconnected nature of water resources and seeks to ensure long-term resilience and reliability. Overall, these are strategic plans that represent a forward-thinking approach to water management and seek to better integrate watershed stewardship into Valley Water operations.
Specifically, the fellow will assist with developing long-range master plans for water resources management in Santa Clara County’s Lower Peninsula and West Valley watersheds, complete with identified priority actions. These watersheds are highly urbanized, offering a unique set of planning challenges and opportunities. For each watershed, the fellow will help develop and implement a prioritized list of actions for Valley Water to meet its objectives to protect natural ecosystems, reduce flood risk, adapt to climate change, and more.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The goal of the fellow’s work will be to help develop Watershed Master Plans focused on how to strategically manage water resources in Santa Clara County comprehensively and sustainably. The plans set out to integrate various aspects of water management, including supply, demand, infrastructure, conservation, and environmental stewardship. The fellow will play a key role in developing these plans through data collection, data analysis, and report writing. The fellow will also collaborate with an extensive network of stakeholders, both internal and external to Valley Water, utilizing a best practices guide and stakeholder engagement plan developed by a previous fellow. The primary project this fellow will complete is the research, synthesis, analysis, and preparation of priority actions that Valley Water can take in the Lower Peninsula and West Valley Watersheds. Ultimately, the fellow’s work on this plan will help ensure long-term resilience and reliability of water resources in Santa Clara County while balancing the needs of current and future generations in the face of challenges like droughts, floods, and climate change.
As a returning partner, a new CivicSpark fellow would provide new capacity to a key project at Valley Water, the development of Watershed Master Plans for two watersheds. Previous fellows have assisted with the completion of the Guadalupe and Upper Pajaro River Watershed Plans, and with kicking off the development of plans for the West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watersheds. A new fellow would support the cornerstone of the West Valley and Lower Peninsula Watershed Plans, the development of Priority Actions. By the time the previous fellow concludes their fellowship, work will be wrapping up on reporting existing conditions, setting metrics and targets, and developing a stakeholder engagement plan. However, much work will remain for the new CivicSpark fellow in terms of implementing the stakeholder engagement plan to develop and prioritize an extensive list of actions for Valley Water to complete to achieve plan targets.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, known as Valley Water, is a governmental agency responsible for managing water resources in Santa Clara County, California. It serves nearly 2 million residents across 1,300 square miles. Valley Water’s key responsibilities include managing water supply systems, including flood protection infrastructure, environmental stewardship, water conservation, and groundwater management. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability, resilience, and environmental health of the region’s water resources.
Valley Water has a demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The workplace culture and environment for Valley Water as a whole and specifically for the Watershed Planning process is one of teamwork, multi-disciplinary collaborative brainstorming, inclusivity, and diversity. In addition, Valley Water has an Office of Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI), which is dedicated to promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization and the communities it serves. It develops policies, provides training, engages with the community, collects data, and collaborates with partners to foster an inclusive organizational culture and ensure equitable access to Valley Water’s services.
A fellowship at Valley Water provides hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and professional development that help fellows develop technical and soft skills relevant to natural resource management. Due to the myriad of tasks we undertake at Valley Water, we are suited to various careers such as engineering, planning, biology, accounting, resource management, and project management. A fellowship would be the perfect opportunity to explore these options. It offers exposure to industry practices, project management experience, and enhances resumes, preparing fellows for future career opportunities in water resources management or related fields.
Organization: City of Concord
Location: Concord CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Stakeholder Engagement, Bilingual, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This project would serve the City of Concord’s Community Development Department (CDD), specifically the Planning and Housing Divisions.
Housing Division:
The City is diligently working to strengthen tenant protections within Concord. As part of the 6th cycle Housing Element Update, Concord City Council adopted an amended Residential Tenant Protection Program which increased just cause for eviction protections, expanded the Rent Registry, and established a rent stabilization program. Housing staff has been working to build an expanded rent registry by adding approximately 8,600 units which have not historically been engaged by City Housing programs. The large number of units and various stakeholders involved is one challenge of this effort. The Fellow would be able to assist staff with outreach and education efforts, program compliance and registration of units, researching changes in ownership of properties, and processing rent adjustment petitions filed by property owners and tenants. Further, the Fellow would be able to assist with researching the expiration of affordability and funding sources on pre-existing and upcoming affordable housing projects throughout the City in order to track affordable housing availability and pursue strategies for ongoing preservation of at-risk units. Lastly, the fellow would assist with the City’s electronic file retention efforts by converting physical affordable housing files into an electronic version.
Planning Division:
The City’s main challenge is a lack of City staff capacity. Sustainability initiatives are split across multiple City departments and divisions without consistent collaboration and several strategies in the City’s adopted Climate Action Plan (CAP) are incomplete or partially complete due to lack of staff capacity and funding. The Planning Division led development of the CAP and annually collects progress reports from other divisions, but it has been a challenge to facilitate ongoing progress and collaboration due to competing priorities, funding needs, and the lack of a clear climate action leader. The City’s current Fellow has helped immensely in these areas, but their departure could create a vacuum right as the City is building new partnerships and starting to infuse sustainability into City processes. A second challenge is increasing public awareness of and participation in sustainability programs and practices. Despite being the most populous city in the County, the City has historically relied on other agencies to lead outreach efforts and sustainability has not been prioritized by the City Council.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Affordable Housing
The Fellow would support the City’s implementation of its Tenant Protection Program, the preservation of at-risk affordable housing, and increase staff efficiencies through its electronic file retention goals. Specifically, the Fellow would serve as support to Housing staff by assisting with:
Completion of the above tasks would result in a variety of resources, including affordable housing program and policy community awareness and compliance, greater relationships with stakeholders such as landlords and tenants, monitoring systems and data reporting, and potential grant funding awards.
Planning/Sustainability
The Fellow would support the City’s implementation of its Climate Action Plan (CAP) with the goal of continuing the momentum built by our first CivicSpark Fellow and increasing awareness of and participation in sustainability programs. The Fellow would serve as a coordinator across stakeholders, author of outreach content, and champion of sustainability across City departments. Specifically, the Fellow would:
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County. Known for its charming downtown, access to nature, and local restaurants (particularly taquerias) and business Concord offers a blend of both urban convenience and outdoor recreation. The city features a vibrant downtown community with Todos Santos Plaza, which hosts farmers’ markets, live music events, and various other community events. Concord is also host to excellent parks, such as the Lime Ridge Open Space or Concord Community Park, as well as access to other nearby outdoor recreational areas such as Mount Diablo State Park.
Concord is an attractive place to live and work due to its affordability relative to other Bay Area cities and strong transportation links, with two separate Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations for access to San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland, as well as several highway connections for access to other parts of the region. Concord offers a balanced lifestyle of affordability, excellent transportation, and abundant recreational activities that makes the community a great place to both live and work.
Organization: Community Action Marin
Location: Novato, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Project Planning, Gardening/Horticulture, Bilingual, Community Engagement
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Community Action Marin is excited to grow our Food and Climate Justice department. Our efforts to create health equity in Marin County involve the expansion of several school-based gardens, improvement of our garden education curriculum, development of garden-focused climate education programming and outreach to families that otherwise have limited access to local, organic food and exposure to nutrition literacy. A CivicSpark fellow will help advance these goals as well as shape the future of this bourgeoning department.
The communities we work with in Marin struggle to meet basic needs, including financial and logistical access to affordable healthy food. Our holistic approach to providing early childhood nutrition education allows the children we serve to encounter vegetables early on, experience nature, develop an interest in gardening and bring home fresh food to share with their families.
In our 2023 Community Needs Assessment, food access was a topic of great interest among our focus groups. Participants expressed frustration at the high cost of food due to inflation, poor quality of food available at food banks, challenges getting food for those on restricted diets, and loss/reduction of CalFresh benefits.
Drilling down into the subpopulation of CAM’s early childhood education program parents, nearly 70% worried about not having enough food for their families in the past year. When disaggregating the data by race and income, we see that 75% of our Hispanic families with incomes under $50,000 experience food insecurity.
We are committed to addressing these disparities by building our food justice and climate literacy programming at our school sites. The Fellow will have the opportunity to participate in shaping strategies to address our community’s food needs. Because we currently do not have the staff needed to carry out the vision we have for this next year, the addition of a CivicSpark fellow will allow us to carry out our organizational goals while putting in place infrastructure and systems that will lead to sustainable programming and community impact.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The overarching goal of this project is to ensure that all eight of our school sites develop and sustain thriving school gardens—vibrant, living spaces that serve not only as a source of fresh, healthy produce, but also as dynamic outdoor classrooms. We envision these gardens as places where nutrition and environmental education and a robust gardening curriculum come alive, empowering students, their families, and the community to develop a deeper connection to the food they eat, the natural world around them, and their own well-being. Each garden will be stewarded using an organic, climate centric approach to agriculture that reflects the unique cultural food preferences of our students.
Through this project, gardens will become a centerpiece of environmental and health-based learning, a place where students can dig their hands into the soil, observe pollinators, harvest vegetables, and taste fresh produce they grow themselves—experiences that foster lifelong skills and healthier food choices. The gardens will also serve as a powerful response to urban disconnection from nature, helping students, staff, and families to reconnect with seasonal rhythms, ecological systems, and the joy of growing food.
The fellow will serve as a coordinator, collaborator, and connector, helping to guide the groundwork necessary to bring each garden to life and ensure its sustainability. This includes supporting infrastructure improvements (like building raised beds or installing irrigation), coordinating planting schedules, helping maintain garden spaces, and organizing volunteer workdays. Equally important, the fellow will work with site managers, garden educators, and classroom teachers to align gardening activities with nutrition curricula, creating engaging, standards-aligned lessons that are accessible to students of all ages and abilities.
Additionally, this fellow will work to advance our agency’s Climate Action Resilience Plan. By participating in regional collaborations, the fellow will identify opportunities and make suggestions about how CAM can build our climate justice initiatives, and initiatives and establish planting schedules that can will improve emergency food preparedness.
As part of the fellowship, the fellow will develop:
1.A comprehensive report documenting the status and needs of each school garden site, including recommendations for future infrastructure, staffing, and program improvements;
2. Curricula and activity guides that integrate gardening and nutrition into classroom learning; and
3.Student surveys or activities that assess/encourage students’ willingness to identify and try new fruits and vegetables, their familiarity with different plant types, and their understanding of learn about how food is grown.
The fellow will help foster the growth of our main garden as a resource hub (physical and digital) where teachers, staff, and garden volunteers can share ideas, resources, and support. These resources will be living tools that can help expand our county’s capacity to address critical challenges such as food insecurity, nutrition illiteracy, and lack of access to fresh, healthy food. By embedding food systems education into the daily experience of school life, the project lays the foundation for healthier students and stronger communities. In doing so, this work strengthens the agency’s ability to activate our Climate Resilience Action Plan and create long-term, system-level changes in support of health equity, food justice, environmental and climate awareness, and community resilience.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Marin County is often portrayed as a uniformly rich and white area, but in reality, 32% of families do not make enough to afford basic needs, including 55% of Hispanics/Latinx, who make up 16% of the county’s population. We are the county in California with the third highest inequities by race. Most of the families and individuals we serve are working, yet their annual incomes hover at, or just above, the poverty line. As a geographic region, Marin County is just across the Golden Gate bridge from the social and cultural opportunities available in neighboring San Francisco. Over 84% of the land in Marin County is undeveloped, whether it be open space, watershed, agricultural, or County, State or Federally protected parkland. Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods National Monument and the Golden Gate National Recreation area are all within Marin County. For the outdoors enthusiast Marin County, known as the “birthplace of mountain biking” has myriad recreational opportunities including hiking, cycling and accessible beaches and waterways. Neighboring Sonoma and Napa counties are well known tourist destinations and a person with an interest in food and gardening will find that the area is also well known for organic and sustainable farming, ranching and aquaculture. Marin County is home to the third largest weekly farmers market in California and the Bay Area as a whole is well known for its multicultural restaurant scene.
Organization: Canal Alliance
Location: San Rafael, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Graphic Design, Volunteer Management, Bilingual, Community Engagement
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The CivicSpark Fellow will serve Canal Alliance, the leading advocate for low-income immigrants in Marin County since 1982. Serving almost 5,000 clients a year, Canal Alliance provides Immigration Legal Services, Youth and Adult Education, Workforce Development, and wraparound Social Services. Our mission is to break the generational cycle of poverty for low-income Latino immigrants and their families by improving economic outcomes and lifting barriers to their success. To extend our impact and address systemic barriers, our advocacy and community engagement efforts support Latino community members to lift their voices and advance safety, opportunity and wellness in their community.
This project will address the community planning needs of the Canal neighborhood through Canal Alliance’s Policy, Advocacy, and Civic Engagement (PACE) program which created the Nuestro Canal Nuestro Futuro (NCNF) Initiative. The NCNF Initiative focuses on leadership development, power sharing, outreach, and community-driven planning for neighborhood wellbeing and vitality, climate resilience and cultural preservation. The Fellow will fill a critical workforce need for the PACE team, as funding is limited for this project, by serving as a Community Development Associate. In this role, the Fellow will provide critical support to the Community Development team and the NCNF Initiative. The goal of the NCNF Initiative is to document community priorities to reimagine the Canal as a climate-resilient, safe, healthy, and vibrant community for all and assist in the development of a Neighborhood Vision Plan.
Community identified priorities that this project will address include the challenges of climate adaptation, housing, transportation, and green economic inclusion. As a part of the Community Development team, the Fellow will support the development of a Neighborhood Vision Plan by playing a direct role in planning and developing materials for community engagement activities including coordination of our quarterly Community Fairs where information will be collected to help shape the Neighborhood Vision Plan. The Fellow will also provide support for the standing resident advisory committee, our 20 member Consejo de Residentes, that weighs in on projects before they go to the planning commission. This way NCNF can ensure that plans remain consistent with resident needs and that development brings tangible benefits, such as economic vitality, environmental protection, and improved health outcomes for their community.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
NCNF is the place-based initiative that grew out of broader collaboration in the Canal. This capacity-building project provides an opportunity for residents of the Canal neighborhood to lead community planning efforts and create a shared vision for the neighborhood. The overarching goals of this project include:
1. Leadership Development
Goal: Cultivate and support a strong pipeline of leaders to promote meaningful participation in decision-making by providing ongoing professional development, mentorship opportunities, and pathways for growth. Our 20 member Consejo (Resident Advisory Committee) is at the center of this goal, designing and leading the Neighborhood Vision Initiative.
2. Authentic Engagement
Goal: Help community members build genuine, trust-based relationships with each other and stakeholders, by creating open communication channels, listening to community needs, and acting with transparency and accountability. Residents will meaningfully influence decisions and outcomes affecting their lives through a community-driven planning process and placemaking pilots at community fairs and placemaking hub.
3. Meaningful Collaboration
Goal: Foster a culture of teamwork by promoting shared decision-making, aligning efforts across teams and partners, and prioritizing respect and shared outcomes in collaborations. Residents, organizations, and agencies work together to implement community identified priorities and solutions. We have eight formal partners in NCNF: City of San Rafael, County of Marin, Multicultural Center of Marin, San Rafael City School District, Greenbelt Alliance, Community Action Marin and Marin Audubon Society. The Southeast Specific Plan being developed by the City of San Rafael, is integral to integrating and codifying community vision and priorities. This includes having the Consejo serve as the Resident Advisory Committee for the Southeast Specific Plan, co-developing engagement materials, conducting engagement at community fairs, and working to integrate the Neighborhood Vision Plan into the specific plan.
Role of Fellow
The Community Development Associate will support NCNF including engaging residents of the Canal to develop a Neighborhood Vision Plan that will document community priorities to reimagine the Canal as a climate-resilient, safe, healthy, and vibrant community for all. This position will play a key role in coordinating community engagement activities, developing the materials used for engagement, and planning community events such as the quarterly Community Fairs. The Community Development Associate will provide support to the central points of contact for residents engaging in NCNF, including the Consejo, and will support the engagement of nonprofit and government partners through the Marin Climate Justice Collaborative.
Desired project outcomes in terms of resources developed (e.g., reports, plans, networks, etc.)
Development of learning and engagement resources for neighborhood planning for use by the Consejo and the broader community
Two to three successful Community Fairs held in the Canal neighborhood
Community members engaged in the Neighborhood Vision Planning process
Neighborhood Vision Plan drafted
Resources to Increase Canal Alliance’s Capacity to Address Challenges from Previous Section
By developing neighborhood planning and engagement resources, directly engaging residents, and drafting a Neighborhood Vision Plan, NCNF will directly address priorities around climate adaptation, housing, transportation, and green economic inclusion. These efforts will build resident knowledge, deepen community engagement, and produce a formal, community-driven plan to guide future development. The pilots will show what’s possible when residents lead, helping secure city support for a standing resident advisory committee. Overall, this project will strengthen NCNF’s capacity to ensure new development aligns with community needs and delivers real benefits in economic vitality, environmental resilience, and health
These efforts will strengthen NCNF’s organizational capacity to influence city policies, institutionalize community power through a standing resident advisory committee, and ensure that new development delivers tangible benefits — including economic vitality, environmental protection, and improved health outcomes — for the community it serves.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Canal Alliance is located in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael, CA in Marin County, 20 miles north of San Francisco. The Canal neighborhood is a predominantly Latino community known for its vibrant cultural diversity. This relatively affordable neighborhood is home to 12,000 residents who comprise a significant part of Marin County’s workforce and include a substantial percentage of the county’s school-aged residents. The neighborhood is home to first-generation households, Spanish speakers, and some of Marin County’s lowest income families. Average household incomes fall below 50% of county-wide averages in what is otherwise one of the wealthiest counties in California. Most clients come from Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico, have less than an elementary school education, and speak Spanish as their primary language.
Marin County is a popular place to live and visit, with weather that allows for mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, surfing and sailing all year long. There is a diverse topography here, with rolling hills, redwood forests, the Marin Headlands, Mount Tamalpais, and the coastline along the Pacific which includes places like Point Reyes National Seashore. There are great schools, safe neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community, and it is consistently ranked among the healthiest counties in the U.S. There is a vibrant art scene, lots of music, farmers’ markets, and incredible food, with many organic and farm-to-table restaurants. Marin is also big on sustainability, green living, and preserving open space. San Rafael is easily accessible to San Francisco by bus and ferry and many of our employees live in the city and commute to our offices.
Organization: San Jose Conservation Corps
Location: San Jose, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Project Planning, Research, Community Engagement
ABOUT THE PROJECT
At the San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School, our goal is to provide our program participants (corpsmembers) with a holistic experience that prepares them for a future career in conservation. We provide technical skill development through on-the-job training, wrap-around supportive services, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops and industry-recognized certifications. We aim to further strengthen our program as a stepping stone for young adults by building specific career pathways to climate- and conservation-related jobs. This project will address the community planning need of identifying opportunities for collaboration with employers in the climate and conservation sector and with post-secondary educational institutions. Given the urgent need for living wage careers for young people in the South Bay community, this project will help our corpsmembers transition into meaningful and financially sustaining employment. Moreover, this project contributes to broader community goals of sustainability and resilience by increasing the number of environmentally focused professionals entering the workforce.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The From Corps to Career: Building Sustainable Career Pathways project will intentionally connect our program participants (corpsmembers) with career-track jobs upon graduation from our program. The primary task will be to conduct a research project to identify in-demand climate and conservation careers that pay a living wage in the South Bay community. The fellow will use public employment data and job boards to research these career paths including the necessary skills, credentials and education to obtain these careers. Moreover, the fellow will identify potential opportunities for partnerships with local employers and educational institutions. The fellow will also be responsible for compiling their research into resources to be disseminated to various audiences including: young adults in our workforce development program, potential grantors and funders, and the San Jose Conservation Corps leadership team. Notably, one resource will include a job board that connects corpsmembers directly with post-program opportunities, which will be shared weekly through our internal newsletter and other communication channels. This research will be utilized to inform future educational programming at the San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School, ultimately leading to an increased number of job placements and opportunities for our corpsmembers.
To connect corpsmembers with the jobs identified in the first part of the project, the fellow will help coordinate and plan events with external employers and post-secondary education partners. These events will include internally or externally led career or resource fairs, tours of postsecondary education institutions or apprenticeship programs, or job shadowing opportunities. The fellow will work together with Corps staff to coordinate and plan these events, as well as communicate with external partners to implement these events. The desired outcome is that 100% of active corpsmembers participate in at least one event to explore their post-corps options and have increased awareness of potential future career and school opportunities. These events are essential for the Corps to meet our goals of providing career exploration and job readiness support, ultimately leading to corpsmembers earning employment in career track jobs. Many corpsmembers are either undecided in what future careers they want to explore or unsure of how to go about achieving their desired career, and these events provide opportunities for corpsmembers to learn from and network directly from industry professionals.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School is located in San Jose, California, the home of many technological advancements and famous for the entrepreneurial spirit behind many of the technology companies which have now become household names. As a thriving business hub with a rich history for many immigrant communities, San Jose is a dynamic and multicultural place to live. California has been a leading state in conservation and environmentalism efforts, and the Bay Area is home to many stunning county and state parks. An easy drive from beaches, redwood forests or mountains, living in San Jose offers opportunities for every kind of outdoor recreation.
Organization: City of San Jose
Location: San Jose, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Community Engagement
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of San José leads and implements many environmental initiatives. The City’s Climate Smart San José team facilitates the City’s climate action efforts under the Climate Smart San José plan and Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2030. The team strives to create equitable, climate-resilient, and carbon-neutral communities.
On December 11, 2018, the City of San José voted to adopt the Energy and Water Building Performance Ordinance (BPO). This ordinance builds on existing state law (CA Assembly Bill 802) and supports the City’s greenhouse gas emission reduction and water conservation goals under Climate Smart San José. Building compliance with this ordinance meets City and State requirements, and helps to achieve climate action goals, reduce air pollution, save water and improve quality of life in San José.
The City promotes awareness of the BPO and supports buildings in complying with energy and water efficiency standards. The Fellow will expand workforce capacity for the Climate Smart San José team by communicating with building owners and operations staff and managing reporting data to ensure compliance. The Fellow will also support additional community engagement and education efforts as needed. This work to improve energy and water efficiency as well as support broader community engagement efforts is critical to community planning and achieving the City’s Climate Smart San José plan and Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 goals.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of San José’s Building Performance Ordinance requires owners of large commercial and multifamily buildings (20,000 square feet or larger) to track and report their energy and water and share it with the City of San José. These requirements support the City’s climate goals by encouraging energy and water efficiency across the building sector.
The overarching goal of this project is to support compliance with the ordinance and to increase awareness and participation in climate action efforts across San José’s diverse communities.
The Fellow will manage communications with property owners and operators, helping them understand and comply with the energy and water performance standards. The Fellow will also help develop outreach materials and provide one-on-one or group assistance as needed.
In addition, the Fellow will support broader Climate Smart San José engagement efforts by helping plan and deliver public presentations, supporting outreach to neighborhood and community-based organizations, and staffing informational tables at local events. This work will strengthen community awareness of San José’s climate action goals and increase participation in programs related to energy efficiency, water conservation, clean transportation, and home electrification.
Project outcomes may include: improved compliance tracking tools, new or enhanced communication templates, updated outreach and education materials for property owners, analysis and summaries of energy and water benchmarking data, and presentations or reports to support staff, community partners, and City Council briefings.
For the broader Climate Smart San José work, the Fellow may also contribute to the development of public engagement strategies, visual content, and community-facing materials to increase awareness of local climate programs and priorities.
These resources will expand the City’s capacity to meet climate action and energy efficiency goals by strengthening internal systems, improving outreach and messaging, encouraging voluntary upgrades, and building stronger relationships with residents, building operators, and other stakeholders.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of San José is the 13th largest city in the U.S., the largest city in Northern California and is the Capitol of Silicon Valley—the world’s leading center of technology innovation. Our City is among the most ethnically diverse places in the world and we take pride in our diversity, known for significant Asian and Hispanic populations which influence the diversity of food and multicultural initiatives in the community. As a Bay Area community, San José neighbors many other great Northern California cities, which are easy to visit using public transportation. Surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, San José also has ample hiking areas. With many opportunities to learn and explore, San José is a wonderful place to live and work.
Organization: City of San Jose
Location: San Jose, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Project Planning & Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of San José strives to serve residents through a wide range of programs and planning initiatives. The City’s Climate Smart San José team facilitates the City’s climate action efforts under the Climate Smart San José plan and Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2030. The team strives to create equitable, climate-resilient, and carbon-neutral communities. To increase San José’s disaster preparedness, the City is also developing a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan under Climate Smart.
San José has about one million residents, and the Fellow will play a critical role in engaging community members. While developing, implementing, and evaluating community plans and programs, the City seeks feedback and engagement from residents. Residents and community-based organizations in San José have also consistently identified community engagement as a priority, with requests for regular updates on City projects, and ample opportunities to provide feedback and ideas. Community engagement will be particularly important as the City develops the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan and works to meet the goals of the City’s Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2030. The Fellow will significantly increase workforce capacity of the Climate Smart San José team by supporting community engagement and education efforts, through tasks such as organizing and presenting at community meetings, attending outreach events, and advancing community-centered Climate Smart projects.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of San José’s Climate Smart team develops projects and programs that center our most marginalized communities’ needs. Two significant community engagement efforts include: The Zero Emissions Neighborhood (ZEN) pilot and the Climate Smart Challenge platform. Through both programs, Climate Smart is committed to expanding and maintaining partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs), neighborhood groups, and individual residents.
ZEN focuses on implementing a suite of Climate Smart sustainability measures in an underserved neighborhood in District 7 of San José, a neighborhood that was identified as the pilot location based on multiple equity indicators. Measures include extreme heat resiliency, energy efficiency and electrification, and green mobility. ZEN works directly with residents and community partners to implement measures that reduce pollution burden, improve health, and address community needs.
The Climate Smart Challenge platform is a digital, gamified tool that allows residents to engage in climate action and track their impact. The platform is a primary tool for residential engagement around climate solutions and is promoted through programs like GoGreen Teams (GGT). GGT is San José’s team-based engagement strategy that focuses on climate action education and community resiliency building with San José residents, using the platform to track team progress and impact. The program involves working with CBOs serving historically marginalized communities to facilitate energy cost savings and positive health impacts. GGT also works with residents on emergency preparedness and community resiliency, so that they are better equipped to deal with emergencies.
The Fellow will work to move ZEN and Climate Smart Challenge engagement forward in all aspects, including hosting meetings with interested individuals, neighborhoods, and community groups; promoting, setting up, and facilitating community ZEN and GGT workshops; supporting the development of promotional outreach materials; gathering information and resources related to community climate action; updating and creating educational information, presentations, and workshops; and working with the community to identify order of priority for ZEN projects and implementation of priority projects. This work bolsters the Climate Smart team’s workforce capacity and ability to engage San José communities effectively.
The work the Fellow will complete will expand City resources that include information on electrification and weatherization; urban greening; alternative transportation; and waste diversion education. The collective set of resources will enable Climate Smart to solidify and expand programing. The Fellow’s work will result in the engagement of hundreds of community members through projects, outreach and workshops. This work will strengthen stakeholder and community involvement in environmental strategy development and implementation, bolster community resiliency, and improve Climate Smart projects by collecting and incorporating community feedback.
The Fellow will also support the development of the City’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CARP). This plan is currently being drafted, and the Fellow may support a wide range of tasks related to CARP development, such as planning community meetings, drafting City webpage language related to the CARP, and reviewing the CARP. This work will increase capacity and help ensure the CARP integrates community feedback and addresses community needs. The CARP will be integral to future City planning efforts, and Fellow support during its development to create a comprehensive, actionable plan will have long-lasting impacts.
In addition to specific projects, the Fellow will assist with expanding broader community outreach to raise awareness of Climate Smart initiatives, including informational presentations at neighborhood associations and tabling at local events.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of San José is the 13th largest city in the U.S., the largest city in Northern California and is the Capitol of Silicon Valley—the world’s leading center of technology innovation. Our City is among the most ethnically diverse places in the world and we take pride in our diversity, known for significant Asian and Hispanic populations which influence the diversity of food and multicultural initiatives in the community. As a Bay Area community, San José neighbors many other great Northern California cities, which are easy to visit using public transportation. Surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, San José also has ample hiking areas. With many opportunities to learn and explore, San José is a wonderful place to live and work.
Organization: City of Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, Graphic Design, Project Management, Public Speaking,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Fellow will work in the City of Berkeley’s Office of Energy & Sustainable Development (OESD). OESD leads Berkeley’s sustainability efforts in order to achieve the City’s ambitious Climate Action Plan goals and advance community resilience.
The Fellow will support several efforts that are critical to implementation of Berkeley’s Climate Action Plan, with a focus on reducing emissions from existing buildings through Berkeley’s Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO) and other efficiency, electrification, and resilience projects and programs. BESO is an innovative policy designed to increase health, safety, energy efficiency and promote building electrification in all building types in Berkeley. The BESO program touches almost every existing building in Berkeley. BESO was first passed in 2015 and required building and homeowners to complete energy assessments and report on building efficiency with the timing, frequency, and specific type of assessment required dependent on the size of the building. In April of 2025, BESO was amended to require homeowners of 1-4 unit buildings to not only complete energy assessments, but also make energy and resilience upgrades based on the assessments within 3 years of purchasing a home.
The Fellow will increase the ability of OESD staff to successfully implement the newest amendments to the Building Emissions Saving Ordinance to make homes future-proofed by requiring resilience and energy upgrades when homes in Berkeley are bought and sold. Specifically, the fellow will directly support Berkeley building owners and new homeowners to better understand their buildings’ energy systems and make upgrades that save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make their buildings more resilient. The CivicSpark Fellow will be fully embedded in the BESO program, working on community outreach and customer service, increasing staff’s capacity to ensure the community’s understanding, compliance, and satisfaction with the new requirements.
The Fellow will add crucial capacity and play an important role in implementing Berkeley’s first-in-the-nation requirement for new homeowners to complete resilience upgrades when a home is sold as well as exploring and supporting other opportunities to make existing buildings more resilient.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The goal of the project is to decarbonize and increase the resiliency of Berkeley’s existing buildings. To achieve this goal, the Fellow will primarily focus on helping to implement the newly passed time of sale amendment to the Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO) program that requires homebuyers to complete resilience upgrades when they purchase a home in Berkeley.
Specifically, the role of the Fellow will be to conduct outreach and community engagement with key stakeholders. Outreach will include both working with technical experts to further develop the policy guidelines and educating home sellers and buyers, real estate professionals, property managers, and renters on the new ordinance. In addition, the Fellow will conduct research and data analyses to support BESO’s time of sale policy implementation plan as well as to inform OESD’s other policies, programs, and platforms.
Outcomes and resources to be developed through this project include:
– BESO Outreach Plan for key stakeholders
– Template presentations on new BESO requirements, developed for a range of audiences
– BESO compliance guides, developed for a range of audiences
– Renter Protection Research and Policy Analysis to better understand current protections for renters and identify gaps and ways to improve protections for renters in 2-4 unit buildings
These resources will be critical to helping the community understand and comply with the new ordinance and will last far beyond the Civic Spark Fellow’s term. Without these resources, City staff will need to spend more time on customer service and compliance and enforcement for years-to-come.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of Berkeley, located in the East Bay across from San Francisco and home to the University of California, is famous for its progressive politics and environmental leadership. Berkeley’s community is diverse, racially, ethnically and socioeconomically, and includes many foreign-born residents. With both a high concentration of academics and unhoused residents, the disparities in educational attainment, wealth, and housing are striking. Yet, there is an engaged community eager to explore bold solutions to a range of social and environmental problems.
Living in or around Berkeley is both challenging and rewarding. The City and government offices are served by public transportation (BART train and bus), and many City employees and residents enjoy biking or walking to work. The cost of living is high. There is a large student population, so competition for affordable housing can be challenging. On the other hand, Berkeley provides a diverse range of cultural (music, museums, dance, food, etc.) and outdoor and recreational opportunities, with its proximity to many regional parks.
As a local government, the City of Berkeley serves all residents, businesses, and visitors to Berkeley. In addition to serving the public, the Office of Energy and Sustainable Development (OESD) helps to coordinate the City’s climate work across all departments in the City, allowing staff and the Fellow to work cross-departmentally. For example, OESD helps to promote electric vehicles and bike infrastructure in coordination with Public Works, accelerates resilience efforts alongside Office of Emergency Services and Fire Department staff, and works to reduce trash and increase composting in conjunction with the Zero Waste team.
Organization: City of Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Technical Writing, Project Management, Relationship Management,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Berkeley’s Department of Public Works will host this Fellowship through its Clean Water Program to address critical local capacity needs in meeting stormwater regulatory requirements under the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP). Due to staffing constraints, the City requires support with compliance-driven activities such as developing standard operating procedures, performing field assessments, modernizing public outreach materials, and preparing the program for future grant opportunities and capital project implementation.
This project addresses key community planning challenges related to water quality, trash pollution, aging green infrastructure, and environmental inequities in access to clean and safe waterways. The Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-priority environmental program while gaining hands-on experience in municipal operations, environmental compliance, community engagement, and sustainable infrastructure. The Fellow’s work will directly support the City’s mission to protect water quality, enhance climate resilience, and promote equitable environmental outcomes, with a strong emphasis on outreach to renters, low-income residents, and communities of color.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The CivicSpark Fellow will provide essential support to the Berkeley Clean Water Program and Storm Water Division. Their work will help strengthen policy implementation, streamline operations, and build capacity for long-term compliance and environmental stewardship.
Core Responsibilities
*Assist in the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, program guidelines, and creek restoration projects
*Conduct research on global stormwater practices and help integrate innovative approaches into local implementation
Support green infrastructure maintenance, including tracking stormwater control measures and collaborating with the Adopt-a-Spot and creek stewardship programs
*Perform On-Land Visual Trash Assessments (OTVAs) and analyze data to inform regulatory reporting and targeted pollution reduction strategies
*Update and improve program materials, web content, and public-facing resources such as the Creek Stewardship Guide
Community Engagement & Compliance
The Fellow will also support public outreach aligned with the Alameda County Clean Water Program, focusing on historically underserved populations including renters, low-income communities, and residents of color. Responsibilities include:
*Coordinating volunteer events (e.g., Coastal Cleanups, Berkeley Project Day)
*Supporting virtual and in-person engagement, mailers, and compliance education
*Collaborating with nonprofits and stakeholders to build awareness of stormwater best management practices (BMPs)
Strategic Initiatives
In partnership with City staff, the Fellow will help:
*Update the municipal code to align with current stormwater permit requirements
*Develop a Clean Water Program webpage to centralize public information and opportunities for involvement
*Formalize operations through documentation of SOPs and internal processes
*Foster interdepartmental collaboration and community partnerships to advance integrated stormwater management across Berkeley
This Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-priority environmental program while gaining experience in municipal operations, environmental compliance, community engagement, and sustainable infrastructure. The Fellow’s work will directly support the City’s mission to protect water quality, enhance climate resilience, and promote equitable environmental outcomes.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Berkeley is an incredibly interesting place to live and work. Known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and vibrant arts scene, our community offers a unique blend of academic excellence and natural beauty. With its close proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area, Berkeley provides easy access to a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. From exploring the iconic UC Berkeley campus to enjoying local farmers’ markets, parks, and outdoor activities, there is always something exciting happening in our community.
Berkeley is renowned for its commitment to social and environmental justice. Our city has been at the forefront of pioneering movements, advocating for civil rights, sustainability, and equitable practices. Living and working in Berkeley allows you to be part of a community that values and actively promotes social justice, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
In summary, serving with the City of Berkeley will expose you to a workplace culture that embraces justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. It offers a professional development experience where you can make a tangible impact and gain valuable skills. Moreover, living and working in our vibrant and socially conscious community provides a stimulating and rewarding environment, allowing you to contribute to a city that is dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable future.
Organization: City of Albany
Location: Albany, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Technical Writing, Community Engagement, Research,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Albany 2025-2026 CivicSpark projects will target both the waste reduction and the climate action sector. The Fellow will provide essential support to meet the City’s goals for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, community resilience, community engagement, and equity by working on a range of projects. The Fellow will support the implementation of the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation plan, including supporting building electrification programs and climate resilience.
The Fellow will also support waste reduction efforts particularly outreach and education for Albany’s sustainable restaurant foodware ordinance, and implementation of waste sorting and prevention measures.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Fellow will split their time between Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Implementation, including supporting building electrification programs and climate resilience, and waste reduction projects, including support with education and outreach for a new sustainable foodware ordinance for restaurants.
The City lacks capacity to implement all policies and programs defined within the 2019 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, so the Fellow will be critical to the success of implementation of the CAAP. To implement one of the CAAP’s most significant policy directives, the fellow will support a variety of building electrification efforts. This will include extensive outreach and education efforts, which the fellow will take the lead on. The fellow will produce outreach and informational materials, attend events, and conduct outreach to the public and various community groups. The fellow will also support the development and implementation of policies and programs to advance electrification. Additionally, this will involve collaboration with regional partner agencies such as BayREN and Ava Community Energy to advance existing programs and further build outreach networks. A particular focus area of these efforts will include supporting electrification for tenant-occupied buildings, multifamily buildings, and low-income homeowners. The Fellow may also assist with a pilot project to decommission the gas line on one city block. This project is an exciting new approach to larger scale electrification, but it will require 100% of building owners on a block to agree to participate. As such, this project will include intensive outreach and education with residents of potential pilot sites. Additionally, the Fellow will conduct climate adaptation and resilience work. This will include helping the City improve disaster preparation and providing community education regarding disaster preparedness, especially for climate change related disasters such as fire, air quality, sea-level rise, and flooding.
The Fellow will also work on waste reduction related projects, particularly a sustainable foodware ordinance for restaurants. The ordinance goes into effect in October and the Fellow will lead the effort to help food service businesses come into compliance with the ordinance requirements. This will include developing and updating informational materials, conducting in-person outreach to businesses, and organizing events or workshops.
The Fellow will also support vital public education and outreach support to waste reduction and recycling more generally. The Fellow will have the opportunity to implement creative solutions to increase waste diversion in the City, which may include, but is not limited to organizing and running virtual and/or in-person events, creating and disseminating social media and print outreach materials, and directly engaging community groups. The Fellow may also partner with the City’s waste hauler to update quarterly outreach materials, such as bill inserts, as well as the consultants supporting the City with implementation. The Fellow will develop vital outreach and educational tools that can be adapted annually to help the City reach its waste diversion goals. The fellow will also have the opportunity to collaborate with Technical Advisory Groups/Committees dedicated towards clean energy initiatives and waste reduction efforts, respectively. This will allow the fellow to learn more about regional collaboration and policy developments, while networking with likeminded members from the rest of the Bay Area.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Albany, California is a small city of about 20,000 residents, located within the greater San Francisco Bay area. Albany today combines a small-town ambience with its central location in a major metropolitan region. Albany prides itself on being a safe, community-oriented city, with strong services and programs for youth, families and the elderly. It is a city made up largely of single-family homes and small businesses. Our city is beautifully located on the eastern shoreline of the San Francisco Bay, directly east of the Golden Gate Bridge. Surrounded by the San Francisco Bay to the west, the Berkeley Hills to the East, and the communities of Berkeley, El Cerrito, Kensington, and Richmond, Albany’s 1.7 square miles offer a fascinating diversity within a small-town community. Community events, the arts, and a vibrant commercial district cater to the needs of the community. Albany is a walkable and bike-able City that is also served by AC Transit, and located between the El Cerrito Plaza and North Berkeley BART stations. City of Albany elected and appointed leadership, as well as City staff, are committed to enhancing social equity and social justice in all areas of policy and programming.
Organization: City of Pacifica
Location: Pacifica, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Project Planning & Management, Community Engagement,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Pacifica, California, is a coastal community in San Mateo County that faces urgent climate-related challenges, including sea level rise, extreme weather events, and climate resiliency needs. The City recently adopted its first-ever Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), which outlines an ambitious framework to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. City’s staff capacity, however, is limited, and successful implementation of CAAP priorities requires dedicated support to coordinate climate initiatives, facilitate interdepartmental collaboration, and engage the community. Additionally, Pacifica is administering a grant-funded electric vehicle infrastructure project that would benefit from additional support in implementing, compliance tracking, and cross-departmental coordination.
This project responds directly to the City’s internal need for climate-focused workforce capacity and coordination support. City staff have expressed the need for added capacity to implement priority climate strategies while maintaining consistency with community expectations and funding compliance. The Fellow’s service will ensure that climate action moves forward despite staffing constraints, and will also support grant-related administrative tasks and reporting—helping the City maximize external funding sources.
The project also addresses community-identified priorities captured during the CAAP development process, including the need for accessible electric vehicle infrastructure, equitable climate adaptation, and inclusive engagement strategies. Through direct support of CAAP implementation, the Fellow will help ensure that Pacifica’s climate actions are community-informed and resilient to future risks.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The overarching goal of this project is to build Pacifica’s internal capacity to implement its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) while supporting equity-centered public engagement and effective use of state and federal grant resources. This project will strengthen local climate resilience and create a model for collaborative climate action that bridges departments, advisory groups, state and federal resources, and community voices.
The CivicSpark Fellow will play a coordination-focused role, acting as a connector between the CAAP Task Force, City departments, and the broader community. The Fellow will lead implementation tracking, assist in the rollout of priority climate programs, and design community-facing communications that raise awareness of Pacifica’s climate efforts. In addition, the Fellow will provide administrative support for the City’s electric vehicle infrastructure grant—monitoring progress, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, and coordinating across internal and external stakeholders.
Key deliverables will include implementation of work plans for priority CAAP actions, a stakeholder engagement calendar, summaries of community input, and compliance tracking tools for EV infrastructure grant reporting, as well as any other grant awards that are received during the fellowship. The Fellow may also help identify future funding opportunities and support development of climate-related grant applications.
These resources will directly increase the City’s ability to deliver on the CAAP’s ambitious goals by building a foundation for sustained implementation beyond the service year. Staff will be equipped with tools, reports, and engagement strategies that make ongoing coordination more efficient and community-informed. The project will also advance the community’s long-term climate readiness by supporting equitable infrastructure investments, fostering local partnerships, and improving communication between the City and its residents.
By embedding a CivicSpark Fellow in this work, Pacifica can sustain climate progress despite resource limitations and build momentum toward a more inclusive and adaptive future.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of Pacifica is a beautiful community located on the California coast, just south of San Francisco and framed in by mountain ranges to the east and south and by the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean on the west. Famous for surfing and excellent hiking, Pacifica is a sought-out destination for lovers of the outdoors, and those who want access to the San Francisco Bay Area’s limitless offering of events and activities, without the hustle and bustle of a big city.
For its people and its beauty, Pacifica is wonderful place to work.
Organization: City of Pacifica
Location: Pacifica, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Project Planning & Management, Community Engagement,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Pacifica’s Planning Department seeks a CivicSpark Fellow to support implementation of its Local Coastal Land Use Plan (LCLUP), a long-term vision for protecting the city’s sensitive coastal resources while guiding sustainable land use and development. With limited staff capacity, the City needs dedicated support to advance LCLUP priorities—particularly in developing zoning regulation updates, managing public outreach, and pursuing funding opportunities to implement key policies. The Fellow will help fill a critical staffing gap by providing strategic, administrative, and technical support for land use implementation initiatives that the City would otherwise be unable to fully address.
This project responds to community-identified priorities that emerged during the LCLUP’s development, including the need for improved public access to the coast, protection of natural resources, and more inclusive community engagement in land use decisions. Residents also expressed strong interest in aligning local regulations with the Coastal Act to ensure climate-adaptive and resilient planning in the face of sea level rise and increasing development pressure. By supporting the implementation of the LCLUP, the Fellow will play a key role in advancing transparent, sustainable, and community-centered coastal planning for Pacifica.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The overarching goal of this project is to support the City of Pacifica in implementing its Local Coastal Land Use Plan by coordinating community engagement, advancing policy updates, and helping secure funding to support long-term implementation. Through this project, the City aims to build lasting capacity to ensure that coastal planning reflects both state mandates and community values, while also creating a foundation for climate-resilient land use policy.
The CivicSpark Fellow will serve as a connector between City departments, external stakeholders, and the public. Their role will include developing and coordinating community outreach strategies that encourage participation in LCLUP implementation efforts, drafting proposed amendments to zoning regulations to ensure consistency with the LCLUP, and assisting with the development of grant applications to fund coastal adaptation projects. The Fellow will also support general implementation activities, such as compiling data, researching best practices, and drafting implementation work plans.
Key deliverables will include: (1) a public outreach and engagement plan; (2) proposed zoning amendments or policy research memos; (3) summaries of community input; and (4) draft or submitted funding applications for coastal resilience projects. These resources will directly increase the City’s ability to manage implementation of the LCLUP by providing staff with structured outreach tools, up-to-date policy documents, and expanded access to funding opportunities.
By embedding a CivicSpark Fellow in this role, Pacifica will be better equipped to coordinate across departments, engage the public in meaningful ways, and make tangible progress on implementing one of its most important planning documents. The project also provides the Fellow with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in coastal policy, land use planning, community outreach, and grant development—all while contributing to the preservation and resilience of a unique California coastal community.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of Pacifica is a beautiful community located on the California coast, just south of San Francisco and framed in by mountain ranges to the east and south and by the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean on the west. Famous for surfing and excellent hiking, Pacifica is a sought-out destination for lovers of the outdoors, and those who want access to the San Francisco Bay Area’s limitless offering of events and activities, without the hustle and bustle of a big city.
For its people and its beauty, Pacifica is wonderful place to work.
Organization: County of Solano
Location: Fairfield, CA
Openings: 1 Filled (of 2)
Desired Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Workforce Development, Relationship Management, Community Engagement,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Solano County’s Resource Management Department is the primary agency served by this project. The department seeks to strengthen its energy efficiency programs (10 total), including developing a comprehensive career roadmap for building energy efficiency careers and integrating workforce development into BayREN’s program offerings. There is a clear need for additional organizational and workforce capacity, especially in the areas of strategic planning, partnership development, and potentially, fundraising or grant writing support to sustain and expand these efforts.
The project addresses community priorities around access to green jobs, the effective delivery of sustainability programs, and the need for coordinated outreach to boost participation in energy efficiency initiatives. Key challenges include improving collaboration among related sustainability programs, forming new partnerships, and optimizing marketing and communications to ensure that BayREN’s benefits reach a broader audience and have a greater impact on the community. There is also a critical need to enhance collaboration among sustainability programs, forge new partnerships, and optimize marketing and communications to maximize the impact and reach of BayREN programs.
By addressing these needs, the project will help Solano County build organizational capacity, support local economic development, and advance climate action goals, ensuring BayREN programs deliver lasting benefits to residents and businesses.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Solano County aims to expand the reach and effectiveness of the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) by hosting two CivicSpark Fellows to address critical workforce and programmatic capacity gaps. The County’s Resource Management Department is seeking support to revamp and strategically plan its workforce development program, including the creation of a comprehensive career roadmap for building energy efficiency careers and identifying the inclusion of workforce development in the suite of BayREN programs. Additionally, there is a pressing need to enhance collaboration across related sustainability programs, identify new partnerships, and optimize marketing and communications to increase community participation and maximize program impact. Each of these project areas would have a dedicated Fellow to maximize impact and depth.
These projects respond to community-identified priorities around access to green jobs, effective program delivery, and the need for coordinated outreach to drive greater participation in energy efficiency initiatives. By building organizational capacity in these areas, Solano County will be better positioned to surpass climate action goals, support local economic development, and ensure that BayREN programs deliver lasting benefits to residents and businesses.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Solano County serves a vibrant and diverse community strategically located between San Francisco and Sacramento, offering a unique blend of rural charm and suburban convenience. The area is experiencing significant growth and innovation, including the proposed development of “California Forever,” a new city that could bring over 400,000 new residents, new shipyards, and a major jobs center focused on industry, technology, and clean energy. Solano County is also at the forefront of environmental initiatives, with the proposal for the largest Carbon Capture and Storage project in Northern California, as well as being home to over 600 wind turbines that contribute to the state’s renewable energy goals.
The county’s economy is bolstered by robust agricultural output, with agriculture and food processing contributing over $600 million annually and supporting thousands of local jobs. Residents benefit from affordable housing options, and County employees have access to homeownership support through the Golden State Finance Authority, which helps cover down payments and closing costs.
Solano County offers a high quality of life, with a mild climate, abundant open space, and easy access to outdoor recreation like hiking, boating, and biking. The community is recognized for its commitment to service, diversity, innovation, and inclusivity, making it an exciting and rewarding place to live and work for Fellows interested in sustainability, economic development, and public service.
Organization: City of Livermore
Location: Livermore, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Tech Writing, GIS , Project Management, Community Engagement,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Livermore currently manages fourteen mitigation projects with additional projects in the planning stages. These areas are managed through a collaborative effort with multiple organizations and contractors. Management oversight is needed to coordinate mitigation area care, monitoring and reporting.
Creation, care and reporting on the City’s mitigation areas is a permit requirement outlined in permits issued by regulatory agencies including the State of California Fish & Wildlife Department, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Department, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board. Failure of these areas is not an option thus careful management is a high priority for the Livermore community.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1. The goal of the project is to organize the management of the City’s numerous riparian and wetland mitigation areas.
2. The role of the Fellow is to assess the history of all the mitigation areas, determine the current status of each area, prepare annual reports for each area and organize the reports in a centralized location that is accessible to City staff and others. Additionally, the Fellow will be responsible for collecting development data for all mitigation areas and tracking the progress to ensure success criteria are being met. This is a large project and multiple departments at the City of Livermore along with several contractors help to manage it. We expect our Fellow to help coordinate the combined efforts of the various players involved to promote the efficient management of the mitigation areas.
3. The desired project outcome will be reports for each of the City’s mitigation areas that outlines the background, physical characteristics, success criteria and how well each of the areas develops based on the established success criteria. Additionally, we expect the Fellow will be able to assist with remedial work in mitigation areas that are not meeting success criteria and will also assist with the design of new mitigation areas. Data collection and analysis using a variety of applications will be necessary and presentation of the information in writing and in meetings and other public forums is expected.
4. The City of Livermore has a history with riparian and wetland mitigation area creation and management dating back about 20 years. The mitigation work, along with regulations that govern it, is relatively new to the City and there has been a learning curve with both successes and failures. We are now in a position to better manage the mitigation project moving forward. We expect our Fellow to play a critical role in improving the management of this important project at the City of Livermore.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Founded in 1869, Livermore is California’s oldest wine region, framed by award-winning wineries, farm lands, and ranches that mirror the valley’s western heritage. Located in Alameda County, the City of Livermore (pop. 87,955 according to the 2020 Census) encompasses 26.44 square miles and is the easternmost city in the San Francisco Bay Area and serves as the gateway to the California Central Valley. Protection by the coastal range provides the Livermore Valley with a mild climate that enhances the pursuit of a more relaxed, less congested lifestyle.
The City of Livermore is home to renowned science and technology centers, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. Livermore is a technological hub and an academically engaged community. It has become an integral part of the San Francisco Bay Area, successfully competing in the global market powered by its wealth of research, technology, and innovation.
The Livermore community is active in the arts and culture. Combined with Livermore’s western heritage and vibrant wine industry the City of Livermore and the surrounding region bring a unique blend to this special community. Historic Downtown Livermore is enjoying a renaissance, reestablishing the downtown as the city’s preeminent shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural district with a 10-screen cinema and a 500-seat performing arts center. With the addition of several residential projects and a pedestrian-oriented environment, the City is establishing an active urban living experience in the Valley.
Organization: City of Antioch
Location: Antioch, CA
Openings: 1
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Project Planning, Bilingual, Relationship Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Antioch has recently funded two new construction affordable housing projects that will create 100 units of supportive housing for homeless households, in partnership with local communities of faith. The Affordable Housing program manages the Housing Rehabilitation Antioch Home Buyer Program, Rental Assistance Homeless Prevention Program. In addition, housing staff enforce Fair Housing laws, conduct testing, and advise tenants and landlords about Antioch tenant protections and their rights and responsibilities in housing.
In the service year, a program staff person with 35 years of affordable housing and homeless experience is nearing retirement. This staff person is eager to partner with a Civic Spark Fellow in a rare learning opportunity to “download” her knowledge, while the Fellow provides much-needed assistance to remaining staff while learning to do it all!
The Affordable Housing Programs meet the City-adopted Consolidated Plan High Priority goals of: AH-1 New Construction of Affordable Rental Housing; AH-2 Increase Homeownership Opportunities; AH-3 Preservation of Existing Affordable Housing Stock; AH-4 Permanent Supportive Special-Needs Housing Construction; CD-4 Fair Housing and CD-1 General Safety Net Public Services – Tenant Legal and Mediation Services, as well as H-2 Homeless Prevention – Rental Assistance Program.
No fundraising or grant writing is involved although the Fellow may assist with the new PLHA process and application if they wish to learn that aspect.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The learning experiences can be divided into two projects:
1) Affordable Housing Programs – New Construction, Housing Rehabilitation, and First Time Homebuyer Programs. These programs are dedicated to develop and retain affordable housing for lower income residents. The Fellow will learn all about each of the programs, update or develop Policies and Procedures manuals, learn and participate in all aspects of making loans and grants, and develop an advanced understanding of the methods and challenges of developing affordable housing.
2) Fair Housing, Tenant/Landlord and Housing Rental and Legal Assistance Programs. These programs are dedicated to helping to ensure renters have fair access to housing opportunities of their choice, and keep renters in their housing so that they do not fall into homelessness. The Fellow will learn from a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor all about Fair Housing and Civil Rights laws, how to conduct intakes and determine if a call involves discrimination or is a violation of fair housing law, how fair housing complaints are addressed and escalated to authorities, and how to train and conduct testing of apartment complexes to identify potential violators and provide training.
For Tenant/Landlord Services, the Fellow will learn about State rights and responsibilities of both parties, conduct intakes, provide resources and information/referral, and work with Code Enforcement on cases involving substandard living conditions. They will participate in helping to administer several nonprofit agency contracts providing tenant rental assistance, legal assistance and homeless prevention services. In addition, they will understand about tenant protection ordinances and how they help keep renters in housing and avoid homelessness.
The Fellow will help to recruit and engage youth and resident volunteers to help conduct outreach to apartment complexes, develop mailers and marketing materials for water bills and mailing, and to help conduct testing for Fair Housing violations.
The assistance of a Fellow (or two) will update Policies & Procedures and address capacity issues when an experienced staff member retires. It will also provide a potential custom-trained and knowledgeable employee as the City will be looking to hire an experienced individual at the end of the internship.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of Antioch is located in East Contra Costa County and is part of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Antioch has a BART stop which makes going to and from other areas in the Bay an easier matter. Some Fellows have chosen to live in areas with more nightlife and activities for young people, and commute in to Antioch. Others who appreciate a quieter lifestyle have chosen to live in Antioch and take BART into San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Concord, and other cities along the BART line when they crave some action. This is a cost effective approach as housing costs here are less than other areas in the Bay area – a previous CivicSpark Fellow found a room to rent for $600/mo last year!
Organization: Alameda County General Services Agency
Location: Oakland, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Technical Writing, Project Management, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Pollution from car emissions in areas with heavy traffic, such as the highway corridors that run through Alameda County, contributes to poor air quality, respiratory illness, and heart disease. Communities closest to these areas bear the greatest health impacts. Reducing local transportation emissions by reducing emissions from employee commute and work travel and by improving access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is therefore an important goal for the County.
Alameda County’s Logistics Services, a division of the General Services Agency, led the development of the transportation action area of the County’s operational climate plan. GSA engaged residents and staff to hear their challenges and priorities. In a public survey, 66 percent of respondents identified switching to electric fleet vehicles as a top strategy to reduce operational emissions. Community workshop participants also emphasized the importance of prioritizing frontline populations, such as those living in areas with poor air quality. Similarly, in a door-to-door survey, 86 percent of respondents rated improving air and water quality as a somewhat or very important additional benefit of climate action. In an employee climate survey, one-third of respondents ranked EV adoption as a top-two strategy to reduce job-related driving impacts.
The fellow will help implement these community-supported strategies by advancing EV adoption, improving charging access in underserved areas, and reducing emissions from the County fleet.
The fellow will work with County stakeholders to promote EV adoption, pool vehicle use, and fleet right-sizing. The fellow will interact with County divisions that frequently use vehicles for business travel, including the Community Development Agency, Environmental Health, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Social Services Agency, all of which need support to transition to electric vehicles while maintaining service reliability. The fellow will also assist departments, such as Property and Salvage, in evaluating electrification opportunities for powered equipment.
The fellow will coordinate with GSA divisions that support EV infrastructure, including Building and Maintenance, Motor Vehicles, and Parking. These internal service divisions need additional capacity to monitor and maintain chargers, track performance data, and plan for future installations.
Like many public agencies, Alameda County lacks funding to hire additional staff to meet these emerging needs. The fellow will play a vital role in building the County’s capacity to advance cleaner solutions.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The fellow will play a key role in implementing the transportation action area of Alameda County’s most recent operational climate plan. The overarching goals are to reduce emissions from employee travel for work and to transition the County’s fleet to electric vehicles.
The fellow will particularly focus on supporting EV charging planning and maintenance. Specifically, the fellow will:
• Support a major EV infrastructure rollout. The County will be installing over 200 EV charging ports across our facilities. The fellow will develop a project tracking dashboard to track implementation and report on progress using data from invoices, fleet usage, and EV charger usage. Some of these new stations will serve underserved communities with limited access to charging and will be available for public use, expanding EV access in nearby communities. The fellow will produce a summary report on benefits to underserved communities.
• Develop a fleet utilization report and recommend strategies to optimize fleet use. The report will provide insights into EV adoption potential and fleet right-sizing, estimate annual greenhouse gas emissions of the County fleet, inform reports and grant applications, and support engagement with internal fleet managers. The fellow will also document the report creation process so it can be easily replicated.
• Develop a report and map identifying the most viable locations to add EVs to the County’s fleet.
• Create a communications toolkit with ready-to-use promotional materials (e.g., posters, email templates, intranet graphics) to encourage employees to use fleet EVs, which are typically more efficient than personal vehicles.
• Explore options to transition heavier-duty trucks and off-road equipment away from gas-powered engines. The County has already piloted one electric box truck and is adding all-electric forklifts.
• Monitor EV charger usage and coordinate maintenance, and create standard operating procedures for this activity. The County currently operates 121 EV charging ports, maintained by a third-party contractor. The fellows will monitor charger uptime and submit maintenance requests when needed, ensuring employees and the public have reliable access to charging.
• Analyze the greenhouse gas benefits of optimizing EV-related energy usage at County facilities.
• Develop a briefing library of short policy memos on key state regulations and incentives related to EV adoption and clean fleet operation, for reference by staff.
• Support potential partnerships with private sector or nonprofit organizations to research clean fleet technologies.
• Document and share best practices with other government fleets, creating appropriate case studies and contributing to regional EV staff networking. Alameda County has emerged as a leader in EV transition, and peer agencies often look to our efforts as a model. Sharing lessons learned can help smooth regional adoption of new EV technologies.
In addition, the fellow will support clean commutes and alternative modes of business travel. The fellow will:
• Support the roll-out of commuter programs, such as vanshare, and active transportation programs like an e-bike lending pilot.
• Research commuter and work travel programs at peer agencies.
• Develop summary analysis of employee input from a recent commuter survey, identifying gaps and opportunities.
Success will mean more EVs and charging stations where they are needed most, and more employees choosing clean travel options for both work-related trips and daily commutes.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Located on the “sunny side” of the San Francisco Bay, Alameda County is home to 1.7 million residents. Alameda is the seventh-most populous county in California, with 14 incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities. Our geography features vibrant urban areas and suburbs, smaller towns, rural communities, and open space. Residents enjoy the varied landscape, including active downtowns, coastal marinas and beaches, redwood parks, rolling hills, vineyards, and lakes. The county has a rich arts and culture presence and an impressive food and restaurant scene.
Our largest city and the county seat is Oakland, with a population of over 400,000. Alameda County also includes Berkeley, home of the renowned University of California, Berkeley. Our strong and diverse economy has a significant share of technology businesses. Employers range from small businesses and community-based organizations to large organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, PeopleSoft, Safeway, and Tesla.
As a local government, the County of Alameda employs nearly 10,000 people across 21 different agencies and departments, making us one of the largest employers in the region. Public transportation is available throughout the county with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and buses. Residents speak more than 43 languages, with the most commonly spoken being English, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
The County provides a wide range of crucial services to residents, from elections to social services, to restaurant inspections to libraries. The County spends, under the guidance of the Board of Supervisors, over five billion dollars annually to assist vulnerable residents, enforce the law, ensure justice, protect public health, and improve our quality of life.
Our hybrid work model provides flexibility, allowing fellows to work remotely or from our office in Oakland, which is conveniently located across from a lake with popular walking and biking trails. Our office is a short walk from two BART stations and is situated in an active civic center area with a major museum, main public library, and restaurants.
Organization: Alameda County General Services Agency
Location: Oakland, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Marketing, Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Alameda County is working toward a vision of communities ready to withstand and adapt to climate-related disasters. Alameda County’s Office of Sustainability, a program within the General Services Agency, led the development of the County’s operational climate plans. The most recent plan includes a climate resilience section recommending actions including incorporating resilience measures into existing emergency response systems, providing information and training to County providers, and hearing from the most affected frontline communities in these efforts.
When developing the most recent plan, we reached out to our communities and County staff to better understand their challenges and needs. Feedback from a public survey showed that County residents wanted resources to help them prepare for climate impacts, and feedback from community workshops showed County messages were not always reaching everyone in the community. Respondents to the public survey also indicated that addressing climate change impacts on health was among their top priorities for the next three to five years, due to concerns about the public health effects of extreme weather and poor air quality. In an employee survey, employees recommended ensuring that County staff are better prepared for how climate emergencies affect both their clients and their own agency operations. A group of community-based organizations reviewed existing County materials and recommended simplifying them.
Some key County divisions facing climate resilience challenges are Alameda County Health, the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, and the Social Services Agency, which directly address the needs of residents affected by climate impacts such as heat and smoke. The frequency and severity of these climate disasters – such as extreme heat, floods, wildfires, and extreme weather events – are predicted to increase, so understanding their impacts on County residents and services is becoming increasingly important.
Like many public agencies, Alameda County lacks funding to hire additional staff to meet these emerging needs. For overburdened existing staff, a challenge to building resilience is a lack of time to learn about how climate change will affect their work areas and to follow the rapidly changing research on the latest mitigation and adaptation best practices. We have also found that it can be challenging for County employees to convey complex guidance on options for adapting to climate impacts to the public in clear, straightforward messages. The fellow’s work with help address these agency- and community-identified needs by building capacity for internal climate preparedness, external partner engagement, and accessible public communication.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project aims to strengthen Alameda County’s ability to prepare for and respond to climate change. The fellow will support County staff and contracted community-serving organizations in helping our communities become more resilient to climate-related impacts. In addition, the fellow will develop tools to help staff and vendors reduce vulnerabilities in our supply chains while reducing our environmental footprint.
To build internal capacity, the fellow will:
•Develop written guides and staff reference materials to integrate understanding of the health impacts of a changing climate (such as extreme heat) on Alameda County residents into existing and new programs. This will play a critical role in addressing partners’ and staff’s lack of time to apply the rapidly evolving research on best practices for mitigation and adaptation.
•Develop communications and outreach toolkits to promote climate preparedness in the workplace and convey clear actions for preparing and responding to the effects of climate change. Apply proven behavior change approaches such as social marketing to ensure messages are relevant and effective. (Training will be provided as needed.)
•Create toolkits and shareable content (e.g., case studies, infographics, trainings, videos, web content) to help County agencies promote climate resilience. Past examples include web content about emergency preparedness, training videos on climate disasters, and flyers in multiple languages advertising community resources.
•Support data-driven decision-making by maintaining critical databases (in Excel) and assist with mapping (using GIS).
•Support efforts to address access and functional needs, such as expanding availability of outreach materials in commonly spoken languages.
•Attend regional meetings on resilience, emergency preparedness, and climate-health initiatives, sharing lessons learned and identifying opportunities to align efforts across the Bay Area. These experiences will enhance the fellow’s network while supporting regional collaboration.
In a second, complementary area of supply chain work, the fellow will:
•Identify opportunities to reduce the environmental footprint or climate vulnerabilities of County vendors and supply chains. Educate agency staff and vendors on potential solutions.
•Help organize green purchasing workshops for local cities, including on climate resilience issues in their supply chains. Alameda County plays a regional role in advancing sustainable purchasing by providing technical assistance and training to local agencies.
Past projects have followed this user-centered approach to ensure deliverables are meaningful and responsive to partner needs. The fellow will conduct research, translate technical information into accessible formats, and share findings with partners in a way that supports real-world application. The fellow will lead scoping meetings with each partner to understand their priorities, identify the most useful deliverables, and coordinate follow-ups to refine and deliver results. This process may include qualitative methods, such as facilitating conversations, conducting interviews, and leading focus groups, to ensure partner perspectives are fully reflected. As partners identify opportunities for implementation, the fellow may remain engaged to provide ongoing support.
Project outcomes will include internal toolkits, staff guidance documents, datasets, multilingual outreach materials, and implementation case studies. These resources will help County agencies and partners overcome the barriers that make it difficult to develop and share key guidance on climate resilience. Success will look like more capacity by County staff to provide residents and local businesses with tools and resources to be prepared for climate change impacts.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Located on the “sunny side” of the San Francisco Bay, Alameda County is home to 1.7 million residents. Alameda is the seventh-most populous county in California, with 14 incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities. Our geography features vibrant urban areas and suburbs, smaller towns, rural communities, and open space. Residents enjoy the varied landscape, including active downtowns, coastal marinas and beaches, redwood parks, rolling hills, vineyards, and lakes. The county has a rich arts and culture presence and an impressive food and restaurant scene.
Our largest city and the county seat is Oakland, with a population of over 400,000. Alameda County also includes Berkeley, home of the renowned University of California, Berkeley. Our strong and diverse economy has a significant share of technology businesses. Employers range from small businesses and community-based organizations to large organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, PeopleSoft, Safeway, and Tesla.
As a local government, the County of Alameda employs nearly 10,000 people across 21 different agencies and departments, making us one of the largest employers in the region. Public transportation is available throughout the county with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and buses. Residents speak more than 43 languages, with the most commonly spoken being English, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
The County provides a wide range of crucial services to residents, from elections to social services, to restaurant inspections to libraries. The County spends, under the guidance of the Board of Supervisors, over five billion dollars annually to assist vulnerable residents, enforce the law, ensure justice, protect public health, and improve our quality of life.
Our hybrid work model provides flexibility, allowing fellows to work remotely or from our office in Oakland, which is conveniently located across from a lake with popular walking and biking trails. Our office is a short walk from two BART stations and is situated in an active civic center area with a major museum, main public library, and restaurants.
Organization: South Tahoe Public Utility District
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Community Engagement, Project Management, Marketing, Volunteer Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The South Tahoe Public Utility District supplies drinking water and provides sewage collection, treatment, and export to protect Tahoe’s delicate ecosystem. Managing this complex operation requires an uncommon environmental sensitivity. As such, the District offers a multi-faceted water efficiency program, extensive environmental education, and continues to explore alternative energy. As a small department of one full time staff member, the CivicSpark Fellow plays a pivotal role in building program capacity to engage more customers and provide services all year round.
STPUD’s Water Efficiency Program has the following goals for 2025/2026:
Provide exemplary customer service, promote water conservation to ensure reliable and safe water distribution in South Lake Tahoe, foster a culture of efficient water use in our community, promote public awareness of all District activities and the value of District services, and improve system efficiency to result in lower bill costs for customers.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. Lying at 6,225 ft, it straddles the state line between California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and with a depth of 1,645 ft, it is the second deepest in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon. It is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both Nevada and California. It is home to winter sports, summer outdoor recreation, and scenery enjoyed throughout the year. Snow and ski resorts are a significant part of the area’s economy and reputation. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more are literally just out the back door.
Organization: South Tahoe Public Utility District
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, GIS Mapping, Community Engagement, Project Management
The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) owns and operates water and sewer facilities for the community of South Lake Tahoe, California, valued at over $1.5B. These facilities were installed in the 1950s and 1960s, and some are nearing or past the end of their useful life. On top of that, the changing climate is adding challenges to system operation: winter rainstorms are melting snowpack and causing localized flooding and inundation of the sewer system; increasing risk of wildfire puts additional demands on the water system as seen during the recent Caldor Fire. To ensure that these valuable facilities continue to serve the community and to protect Lake Tahoe well into the future, STPUD is developing a comprehensive program to assess and report on the state of the facilities, track their performance over time, and plan for their rehabilitation and/or replacement. STPUD is seeking a Fellow to support the development of this program, drawing upon an environmental science or engineering background, with a working knowledge of GIS. Specifically, the Fellow will work with STPUD’s Engineering Department to:
1.Update and validate assets in STPUD’s ArcGIS and asset management systems
2.Use new and existing tools and technologies to capture and analyze condition information
3.Work with the Operations departments to develop programs for monitoring station efficiency and performance
4.Support the System Efficiency Committee efforts, and
5.Update STPUD’s Annual Asset Management Report.
6. Support and develop the District’s energy consumption analytical reporting
The Fellow may also help support the District’s water conservation and public affairs program by helping present environmental education, organize and booth at community events, coordinate the water conservation programs and update social media accounts.
The ideal Fellow will be personable, open-minded, creative, and self-motivated. The ideal Fellow would be interested in the details of “how things work” but also able to see how individual parts fit into a larger system. Knowledge and experience in GIS is highly desired.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1.Work with the District’s GIS Analyst to update STPUD’s water and sewer system GIS. The GIS needs to be updated to add new features, and tie them to other analytical tools, such as the water conservation software and water loss tools. Monitoring consumption and losses from the water system will help STPUD prioritize rehabilitation areas of the water system.
2.Use GIS to make paper and web maps for staff around the District. Under direction from the GIS Analyst, use GPS equipment for field data collection.
3.Work with the District’s Asset Management Administrator to update the asset management system, and develop tools and reports to extract information regarding the condition of facilities. This work will inform operations departments of the system’s needs, to prioritize maintenance and rehabilitation.
4.Collect, review and analyze condition information that is collected by the operations departments regarding the condition of STPUD’s water and sewer systems. STPUD has begun to develop field tools for crews to collect information during their daily routine, but only by reviewing and analyzing the collected information can we learn where to place our future efforts.
5.Work with the District’s Principal Engineer to compile data and draft the District’s Annual Asset Management and Energy Consumption Reports. This report will serve as a template for future reports, and will present to the Board of Directors and to the community a status update on the health of the water and sewer systems.
6. Work with the Asset Management Analyst and Public Affairs/Conservation Manager to support the District’s water conservation, public outreach and education programs.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. Lying at 6,225 ft, it straddles the state line between California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and with a depth of 1,645 ft, it is the second deepest in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon. It is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both Nevada and California. It is home to winter sports, summer outdoor recreation, and scenery enjoyed throughout the year. Snow and ski resorts are a significant part of the area’s economy and reputation. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more are literally just out the back door.
Organization: Sierra Business Council (SBC)
Location: Truckee, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Sierra Business Council (SBC) is a non-profit based in Truckee, CA that serves the Sierra Nevada region. SBC catalyzes and demonstrates innovative approaches and solutions to increase community vitality, economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social fairness in our region. We act as stewards of the Sierra Nevada, taking responsibility for the care and responsible management of our place, guided by the triple bottom line that considers the economy, environment, and community simultaneously.
Sierra Nevada communities are already facing wildfire, flooding, declining snowpack, drought, tree mortality, and other climate-related impacts. The lack of funding and technical resources in many of the region’s rural local governments poses a challenge for these communities in preparing to face climate risks. We are seeking an enthusiastic and passionate individual to support SBC’s Climate & Energy programs, primarily the newly developed Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN), alongside additional climate & energy programs focused on helping Sierra Nevada communities become more resilient.
NREN is a collaborative effort committed to helping rural communities grow and thrive through the adoption of energy efficiency measures and encouraging the utilization of clean energy practices and technology. NREN serves Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter, Tuolumne, and Yuba counties. This Fellowship would help catalyze energy efficiency activities throughout the 14-county region.
Through SBC’s climate action programs, the Fellow will have the opportunity to engage in the following activities:
1) Outreach & Education – engaging in outreach activities to ensure rural customers in the region are aware of the benefits of NREN and other SBC climate & energy services. Outreach efforts include emails, phone calls, and in-person outreach on occasion. The Fellow will have the opportunity to provide rural communities with updates regarding programmatic services and upcoming events through newsletters, blog posts, outreach materials, webinars, and trainings.
2) Project Management – supporting Sierra Nevada customers to develop and implement energy efficiency and emissions reduction practices. The Fellow will work with local residents and communities to provide educational materials, encourage participation in workforce training, and supply direct support through technical and financial assistance programs to help rural communities realize energy saving measures as well as build local economies and workforces.
3) Capacity Building – engaging with Sierra Nevada leaders in government, business, academia, and community-based organizations to share best practices, identify critical needs, and conduct research, education, and outreach around regional-specific energy and decarbonization needs.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) programs will raise awareness and provide access to the benefits of energy efficiency and decarbonization. The programs will provide the necessary information, technical support, financial resources, and actionable recommendations for rural customers to adopt energy efficient technologies and practices. NREN will help our rural communities support California’s ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction policies while achieving the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) energy efficiency savings goals, in terms that rural customers can accept, support, and in time, champion. NREN focuses on helping customers save energy using comprehensive energy efficiency tactics, increasing awareness of energy efficiency opportunities, and increasing local workforce capabilities and capacity—with a primary focus on rural hard-to-reach and underserved communities.
SBC’s Climate & Energy team works closely with local residents, stakeholders, and agencies to help develop and implement NREN programming and additional climate and energy initiatives with the goal of catalyzing more resilient, efficient, and vibrant communities.
The Fellow will join the Climate & Energy team to engage in outreach efforts and provide technical assistance to local communities through NREN services and additional climate and energy programs. The Fellow will work closely with local jurisdictions and customers to implement clean energy and energy-efficient measures to help them realize energy savings.
Capacity Building Project: Climate & Energy Capacity Building in the Sierra Nevada
Outcome: Support and provide technical assistance to Sierra Nevada communities and local agencies to implement energy efficient, clean energy, and electrification measures.
Deliverables:
Support the development and implementation of multiple segments of the NREN program
Residential: support with identification of and outreach to rural hard-to-reach and underserved residents to encourage program participation, education, and community based energy efficiency improvements
Public Agencies: provide outreach, project development, and codes and standards educational support to local government and agencies serving rural hard-to-reach and underserved communities
Workforce: support the development of skilled local energy efficiency workforce prioritizing underserved, rural hard-to-reach, and low-income communities
Support communities and public agencies in identifying energy efficiency and electrification project opportunities, using implementation resources, supporting research, developing analysis, and tracking progress.
Coordinate climate and energy outreach and education events, as well as develop outreach materials.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
SBC primarily serves rural mountainous communities throughout the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The region is filled with vibrant communities enthusiastic about protecting the outdoor environment for generations to come. The region has attracted outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the recreational activities provided by the unique geography. Residents are able to enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities year round such as hiking, fishing, camping, mountain biking, and skiing and snowboarding, just to name a few.
Organization: High Sierra Energy Foundation
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, Bilingual
ABOUT THE PROJECT
As part of the Central California Rural Regional Energy Network (CCR REN) and program lead for the Codes and Standards program, the High Sierra Energy Foundation (HSEF) is responsible for all aspects of the program’s offering and desires to have a fellow to assist in community engagement for 85 Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) in the Central CA region. HSEF staff will work with the fellow to inform on California’s energy codes and building performance standards and projects will be assigned around program/community development. Fellow will also participate in collaboratives of CBOs and governmental agencies with the goal of coordinating activities for the CCR REN Codes and Standards program and energy and energy efficiency initiatives of HSEF.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The overarching goals of this project are to assist with the Codes and Standards program of the newly formed Central California Rural Regional Energy network.
2. The role of the fellow will be to assist with the implementation of this program and other energy efficiency programs and initiatives of the HSEF, including community outreach and engagement.
3. The desired project outcomes includes developing relationships with partner staff non-profit organizations, community stakeholders, and jurisdictions in support of program implementation. The fellow will be exposed to many aspects of the environmental nonprofit and program implementer, including grant writing and standard operating procedure development, which will inform future staff on important aspects of the job.
4. These resources will be critical to addressing the capacity gaps that exist in the Eastern Sierra. The HSEF staff will use the lessons learned from this program to build both internal staffing capacity as well as support local jurisdictions and nonprofits to build their capacity.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The HSEF serves Inyo and Mono counties, in the Eastern Sierra. The region is geographically vast with a low population. The area is rich with beautiful landscapes and recreational activities; including snow sports, rock climbing, cycling, hiking and backpacking. Cultural activities are somewhat limited, but do include local theater and music. Climate is extreme — both hot and cold. The ideal candidate will value the area’s offerings and will have a sense of adventure and resilience to accommodate the regions extremes.
Mono and Inyo counties are far from the classic image of what people think of when they think of California — and extremes are displayed everywhere. They include the highest mountain and the lowest point in the continental United States. Their mountains average more than 30 feet of annual snowfall and their deserts are arid. The hottest temperature in the world, 130 degrees, was recorded in Death Valley, while Mono County’s Bodie State Park has registered -29 degrees. There are mega mansions and private jets in the resort area, yet a community in Inyo County has a household median income of less than $30,000. Those large homes may be close to Net Zero, or they may consume immense amounts of energy when they are unoccupied for long stretches of time. Some residents in older, poorly insulated residences or mobile homes spend a large and disproportionate amount of their income on electricity and propane. The two counties combined cover 13,222 square miles, and while the full-time population is quite small, the region receives over two million visitors annually due to its undeniable beauty and tourist attractions such as Death Valley, Yosemite National Park, and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.
Organization: California Strategic Growth Council
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Project Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Over the past decade, the State of California has developed a robust toolbox to support healthy communities with access to housing, transportation, and opportunities, while ensuring the preservation and access to natural and working lands for the benefit of all Californians. Despite these efforts, however, annual housing production continues to fall far short of the levels required to meet the State’s goals, and housing remains unaffordable for millions of Californians.
Factory-built housing (FBH) construction, also known as modular or off-site construction, is a proven method for reducing construction costs and timelines while maintaining the highest quality standards, and often increasing energy efficiency due to the controlled environment of a manufacturing facility. Despite the potential time and cost savings relative to conventional construction, FBH represents a tiny fraction of overall housing construction in California.
In 2023, the California Strategic Growth Council established the Factory-built Housing Predevelopment Pilot Program. The Program made $12 million available to fund pre-development activities for FBH manufacturers applying for federal funding to construct FBH facilities in California. The program ran for two rounds, yet did not make an award. Given the low program uptake and shifts in federal funding, SGC is now redesigning the program.
This project will support the FBH program redesign by developing regional strategies to expand industrialized off-site construction, thereby accelerating housing production and creating good jobs across California. Working with partner municipalities, state housing partners, subject matter experts, and workforce and labor organizations, the project will support local and regional governments in developing solicitations for new manufacturing facilities to effectively scale the use of off-site construction as a method of developing housing faster and more efficiently in California.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project aims to build the capacity of regional and local governments to access and implement funding via the Strategic Growth Council’s redesigned Factory-built Housing program. By sharing research and other resources with communities to help identify regional barriers to factory-built housing, the project will support the implementation of solutions to accelerate deployment and increase manufacturing.
The Fellow will engage directly with local, regional, and State government partners to:
-Conduct research and engage with stakeholders to identify promising practices for identifying and removing barriers to manufacturing and deploying affordable, energy-efficient, factory-built housing.
-Draw on case studies and stakeholder input to develop guidance on strategies for updating or advancing housing, zoning, and community plans
-Engage with developers and factory-built housing manufacturers to identify opportunities to streamline and simplify permitting and inspection processes for factory-built accessory dwelling units on lots with single-family homes
-Coordinate jurisdictions, researchers, advocates, and stakeholders through virtual and in-person events to harness innovative approaches that further the statewide conversation on factory-built housing.
The primary outcomes of the project include 3-5 regional strategies for expanding FBH to accelerate housing production while creating good jobs. The regional strategies will serve as the foundation for regional solicitations for new manufacturing facilities, effectively scaling the use of off-site construction as a method for developing housing more quickly and efficiently across California.
The development of regional strategies and partnerships with key FBH market participants will serve as the foundation for regional solicitations for new manufacturing facilities, effectively scaling the use of off-site construction as a method for developing housing faster and more efficiently across California.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
California lawmakers established the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) in 2008 to support sustainable community development across the state – with a focus on State agency coordination to improve air and water quality, protect natural resources, increase the availability of affordable housing, enhance transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support adaptation and resilience.
To further improve our relationships with communities and local governments in under-resourced communities, SGC has prioritized physically meeting communities where they are by attending site visits, roundtables, and other events across the state. SGC Leadership and staff attended events in Klamath, the North State, Guadalupe, the Central Coast, and Palm Desert, the Inland Empire. This led to increased in-person collaboration across teams and greater knowledge of the opportunities and challenges these specific communities face.
The SGC offices are located in downtown Sacramento, directly across from the State Capitol. The proximity offers significant advantages to fellows, providing them with ready access to the “real world” of public policy, advocacy, and administration. Sacramento is America’s “Farm-to-Fork Capital”, offering delicious food, a vibrant arts scene, music, and access to some of California’s best hiking, kayaking, rafting, swimming, and waterskiing. Sacramento’s cost of living is lower than the California average, but it is easily accessible to San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other popular destinations.
Organization: City of Elk Grove
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Project Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Elk Grove has a robust sustainable mobility program, including an E-Bike Lending Library, trail wayfinding program, and various planning efforts underway. The Fellow will work with the Civic Innovation and Sustainability (CIS) team on projects related to advancing sustainable mobility options within the City. The CIS team is small, with 4 staff members supporting work across the city organization, and 1 staff person dedicated to the sustainable mobility program.
Community priorities have been identified through the City’s Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Master Plan, Trails Committee, and various other avenues. The Fellow will provide additional capacity to support implementation of the Plan and other high priority projects related to active transportation.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Fellow would be working with the CIS team within the City Manager’s Office. The CIS team’s mission is to cultivate a collaborative culture to engage with and empower the community in advancing a more sustainable and resilient city utilizing data and innovation strategies. Staff in CIS explore innovative solutions, assist diverse teams to embrace new ideas, increase efficiency in government, and provide policy support for the City Manager, City Council, and the broader organization on a variety of topics including sustainability, resiliency, transportation, data, technology and other related policy topics. The team works collaboratively across City Departments and with local and regional organizations. The Fellow would work as part of the CIS team, primarily with the Senior Transportation Planner.
The Fellow would work on several projects, including ongoing outreach and engagement for active transportation, the E-Bike Lending Library, and a bicycle parking inventory and mapping project. The goals for all projects are to promote active transportation and reduce barriers to biking within the community. The Fellow would participate in outreach activities, manage the E-Bike Lending Library operations, and conduct an inventory of bike parking in the City. In terms of resources developed, the bike parking inventory should result in a map of where bike parking is located in the City as well as an inventory of locations where bike parking should be installed, based on land use and information from the community. The Fellow’s support will help the City have the capacity to implement these programs as well as others.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of Elk Grove is the second largest city in Sacramento County. Elk Grove is a majority minority community where a quarter of residents are foreign born. While it is a suburban community, there are many amenities that make it fun for people of any age. There are many celebrations and festivals, including the Lunar New Year, the Giant Pumpkin Festival, the Western Festival, the Multicultural Festival and the Illumination Festival. There are great restaurants with cuisine from around the world, and a network of trails and biking paths.
Organization: Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, Date Collection, Community Engagement, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
To address the Urban Heat Island (UHI) challenge, Sac Metro Air District developed an advanced model of the UHI effect in the Capital Region, at local and regional scales, and for today’s conditions as well as a 2050 land use and climate scenario. The model identifies the geographic areas with the most severe UHI effect and evaluates the effectiveness of heat mitigation measure options on vulnerable communities deployed at various scales. The UHI CivicSpark Fellow would support the District’s expansion of the UHI Mitigation Project for the Sacramento region. The District recently acquired a MaRTy mobile biometeorological instrument platform which measures air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT). These measurements are captured at pedestrian height and provide a thermal picture of how pedestrians are experiencing heat when they are outdoors. The device is shared through an agreement with the cities of Elk Grove and Davis. The District is also partnering with SacRT to use MaRTy to inform SacRT’s new Enhancing Public Health with Heat-Resilient Shelters project. MaRTy will be used this summer to conduct heat measurements at the Sacramento Regional Transit District bus stop locations that currently do not have a bus shelter. The data will provide insight into how riders are currently experiencing heat as they wait for the bus during the summertime, and how their experience will be improved by the new heat-resilient shelters. The FY 25-26 CivicSpark Fellow will help analyze the “before” data for this project and will help collect “after” data during the summer of 2026.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Sac Metro Air District’s Urban Heat project findings and recommendations are helping local governments and public agencies in their overall planning for extreme heat and heat resilience for public health, land use design, transportation planning, and urban forestry. The Fellow would help encourage staff working for local jurisdictions to incorporate effective heat mitigation strategies into their urban planning policies. The Fellow would also work directly with community members to provide extreme heat education, identify neighborhoods with high heat vulnerability, and implement extreme heat mitigation. The expansion of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) project through the procurement of a MaRTy instrument means that the District is now able to provide heat monitoring for a wide variety of heat mitigation projects throughout the Sacramento region. The City of Elk Grove and the City of Davis are using MaRTy for their individual cool pavement projects and will need District support as they learn more about using MaRTy out in the field. MaRTy is also being used during summer 2026 for Sacramento Regional Transit District’s Enhancing Public Health with Heat-Resilient Shelters project. The UHI CivicSpark Fellow would be required to assist with the handling of the device while it collects data. The CivicSpark Fellow would also help upload and assess the data after it is collected.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The City of Sacramento, where the Sac Metro Air District is located, is the most integrated community in the U.S. (according to the US Census). Our agency considers this diversity in every aspect of our work. We have included environmental justice components in our planning tools such as the California Emissions Estimator Model, we provide programs and incentives for income qualified residents residing in under resourced communities, and we engage with local community groups to ensure our programs have the most benefit for vulnerable communities.
While staff at the Sac Metro Air District work closely together on these projects, the also engage with many different stakeholders. This provides an opportunity to not only learn from a diversity of people, but it’s a great networking opportunity as well. We like to provide our Fellows the opportunity to engage in different aspects of our work, including attending conferences, participating in board and public meetings, meeting with staff from partner agencies, and attending staff parties.
Lastly, being in the state capital of the most innovative state in the country (if not most innovative government in the world) is a great learning opportunity as well. Outside of work there are opportunities to meet with elected officials, state agencies, professional organizations, community-based organizations, and non-profits.
Organization: City of Sacramento
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Project Planning, Project Management, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Department of Utilities (DOU) is responsible for providing water, wastewater, drainage services to residents and businesses in the City of Sacramento (City). Our Sustainability Team is focused on the following three goals, as they relate to the services DOU provides: 1) Become a “carbon neutral” utility by 2045, 2) Improve climate resiliency in utility infrastructure and operations, and 3) Advance and prioritize climate equity and environmental justice in plans, policies, and programs.
Our team works with DOU staff to identify strategies and evaluate tactics to help us achieve our sustainability policy and strategic plan goals. We also are a liaison between DOU and other City departments in developing and reporting progress made on Citywide goals established in City’s 2040 General Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). We work closely with the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability (OCAS) and the Community Development Department’s (CDD) Long Range Planning team on these efforts, as core members of the City’s “Green Team.”
As a relatively new and small unit in DOU, the Sustainability Team is still building relationships and a a knowledge base within our department, since sustainability work spans across DOU’s 5 divisions and 500+ staff members. Within the past year we also have taken on additional work related to equity and environmental justice, partnering with our City’s Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE). The CivicSpark fellow will help us build capacity in these areas.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Civic Spark Fellow selected for this role on the DOU’s Sustainability Team will have two main projects:
Climate Resiliency Research Project: DOU recognizes Sacramento faces many climate change impacts, such as flooding extreme heat, and drought. These events affect the City’s management of drinking water, wastewater, and drainage services. The Fellow will work with the DOU Sustainability Team to research climate change and its impacts to the Department’s services, meet with DOU staff to document planned adaptation and mitigation strategies, and provide findings and potential strategies to staff and management.
Equity and Environmental Justice Project: Equity is one of DOU’s values identified in our department’s Strategic Plan, but across our department there are varied levels of understanding and experience with foundational concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and why this is important for us as public servants. The Fellow will help us develop an equity training program and resources for all DOU staff members. They will research and draw upon training, materials, and best practices from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), as well as other local governments and water agencies. This work will be done in collaboration with DOU’s Equity Committee and the City’s Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE).
Additionally the Fellow will provide general support for other DOU sustainability initiatives where capacity building is needed. This may include the following:
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Home to 500,000+ residents and known as the “City of Trees” and “America’s Farm to Fork Capitol,” the City of Sacramento has a long-standing commitment to foster sustainability in government operations and community activities. The City situated in a Mediterranean climate less than two hours from both San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, so there are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore both urban and rural destinations.
The City of Sacramento also prides itself on being one of America’s most diverse cities. We are committed to becoming a diverse and equitable organization through workforce equity, and in our policies and procedures, programs, and operations.
Organization: City of Sacramento
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Mobility and Sustainability Division in the Department of Public Works is dedicated to achieving the city’s mobility, safety, equity, and climate action goals. These include ambitious goals to reduce transportation emissions by planning comfortable and accessible bikeways and sidewalks to encourage more active mode share in the city. The city is committed to equitable investment for the city’s most disadvantaged communities to improve safety and general mobility and access citywide.
The Transportation Planning Section within the Division has five staff that work on multiple critical initiatives, including the Bike Parking Program, the Streets for People Active Transportation Plan, Caltrans-funded efforts including the Norwood Mobility Project and Connecting Howe Ave Project, the Street Design Standards Amendment, and the Vision Zero Action Plan update.
The Fellow will work with staff to help the team connect with communities citywide. Priority items the Fellow could work on include:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Mobility and Sustainability Division is helping move Sacramento to a more sustainable and equitable future, and the CivicSpark Fellow will help us achieve our ambitious climate action and equity goals. The Fellow will be able to engage in a variety of efforts related to transportation planning, including:
In addition to the many projects Fellows can participate in, the Transportation Planning team works with community partners citywide to uplift community voices in transportation projects. The Fellow will have the opportunity to network with Sacramento’s diverse network of community-based organizations like Sacramento Bicycle Advocates (SABA), agencies like Sacramento Regional Transit, and other city departments and Commissions.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Home to over 500,000 residents and known as the City of Trees, the City of Sacramento has a long-standing commitment to foster sustainability in government operations and community activities. The Fellow will work within the Public Works Department, Division of Mobility and Sustainability, in the Transportation Planning Section. Transportation Planning currently has five full-time positions working on a variety of projects citywide. The Transportation Planning section and the Department support Fellows in pursuing career and personal development opportunities and will encourage professional networking and development throughout the fellowship.
Organization: City of Sacramento Office of Climate Action & Sustainability
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Project Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Sacramento’s Office of Climate Action and Sustainability (OCAS) works across City departments and with external partners to coordinate equitable implementation of sustainability initiatives. OCAS works within the City to develop a sustainability culture among staff, and with the broader Sacramento community to encourage behavior change and neighborhood resiliency. While OCAS works across all sustainability topics, many of OCAS’ current projects focus on urban forestry, building electrification, electric vehicles, climate adaptation, and disaster preparedness.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The CivicSpark Fellow selected for this role in OCAS would have two main projects:
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Home to over 500,000 residents and known as the City of Trees, the City of Sacramento has a long-standing commitment to foster sustainability in government operations and community activities. The Fellow will work within the Public Works Department, Division of Mobility and Sustainability, in the Transportation Planning Section. Transportation Planning currently has five full-time positions working on a variety of projects citywide. The Transportation Planning section and the Department support Fellows in pursuing career and personal development opportunities and will encourage professional networking and development throughout the fellowship.
Organization: City of Sacramento Council Member Eric Guerra (District 6)
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Technical Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Office of Councilmember Eric Guerra is a dynamic office which represents some of the most diverse neighborhoods in southeast Sacramento. To that end, the CivicSpark Fellow would focus on several projects in the Council District and support special initiatives related to the Councilmember’s role as a Board Member on the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, and the Sacramento Valley Basinwide Air Pollution Control Council (BCC).
Overall, the Fellow would be instrumental in better aligning policy making done at the state, regional, and local levels and identifying opportunities for local implementation. The Fellow will be responsible for supporting multiple projects at various stages of development and implementation. These projects are grounded in Councilmember Guerra’s commitment to protecting public health, improving air quality, encouraging a resilient energy system, and uplifting local communities and economies.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Fellow will serve as the office’s primary support and liaison for matters at multiple levels of impact and implementation pertaining to air pollution reduction and new job growth. The projects that the Fellow may be involved in are at various stages of development and implementation, allowing for a diverse fellowship experience and a multitude of responsibilities and opportunities for professional development. The projects that the Fellow may be involved in include:
• Regional outreach and implementation of the California E-Bike Incentive Project in collaboration with community-based organizations and the California Air Resources Board.
• Research and analysis of matters coming before the California Air Resources Board, including programs that reduce toxic air contaminants and promote new job markets.
• Research and analysis of air quality and transportation matters coming before the Sacramento City Council
• Incentivization of alternative technologies and strategies to open agricultural burning
• Development and implementation of a regional strategy for encouraging investments in low-carbon technologies.
• Workforce development and transition for new job markets in partnership with local agencies, community-based organizations, and the UC and CSU system
These efforts will require responsibilities including:
• Conducting research and analysis of proposals being brought forward to the City Council or a Board of Directors
• Participating in outreach and engagement with local community members
• Consolidating local and regional visions and objective into tangible strategies and actionable plans
• Serving as a representative of the office in meetings, briefings, and interactions with government agencies, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders
• Acting as a primary liaison between constituents, stakeholders, and the Councilmember in matters pertaining to air pollution, transportation, and jobs.
• Translating technical topics into accessible information for social media, the district newsletter, and press releases
The primary deliverable would be a discrete work product, be it a framework for implementation, outreach materials, or other final product.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Home to over 500,000 residents and known as the City of Trees and the Farm to Fork Capital, the City of Sacramento has a long-standing commitment to foster sustainability in government operations and community activities. And as the capital of California, and one of the most diverse cities in the State, Sacramento has something for everyone. Because of Councilmember Guerra’s leadership roles on local, regional, and statewide boards, the CivicSpark Fellow will have the opportunity to focus on projects at multiple levels of impact and implementation. It is a unique opportunity to work across levels of governance and gain insight into the inter-agency and inter-governmental cooperation required for effective governance.
Organization: California Department of Housing and Community Development
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, GIS Mapping, Project Management, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
HCD has made significant investments in building housing for diverse populations, including permanent supportive housing (PSH), transitional housing, and housing for specific groups such as re-entry populations, seniors, and veterans, amongst others. While HCD has made progress in tracking internal data on these housing types for special populations, the current approach is not consistent across the department and across funding programs. For example, data on earlier rounds of Homekey funding – focused on developing PSH units for individuals at-risk or experiencing homelessness – is not fully captured.
To address this, HCD is seeking the assistance of a CivicWell fellow to identify the necessary tools and develop a tracking system to better capture data on housing types such as PSH and units serving other special populations. This will help the Department evaluate the alignment between program/funding objectives and outcomes, which will provide critical insights to inform future housing policies and state resource allocations for individuals at-risk of or experiencing homelessness and other specific populations.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
HCD headquarters are located in the State Capital of Sacramento. The City is home to the National Basketball Association team, Sacramento Kings, confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in the Sacramento Valley. The City offers affordable living options, close to nature (e.g., Lake Tahoe, Nevada Mountains, Bay Area), historical attractions, and weekly community events.
Organization: California Department of Housing and Community Development
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: 1
Desired Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Project Planning, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Department of Housing and Community Department mission is to promote safe, affordable homes and vibrant, inclusive, sustainable communities for all Californians. The Planning grants and incentives team plays the critical role of reviewing every local government’s housing element to determine whether it complies with state law and then submits written findings back to each local government. HCD’s approval is required before a local government can adopt its housing element as part of its overall General Plan. The goal of this project is to assist local governments comply with state housing element law to access state funding programs to provide much needed affordable housing to all communities.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
HCD headquarters are located in the State Capital of Sacramento. The City is home to the National Basketball Association team, Sacramento Kings, confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in the Sacramento Valley. The City offers affordable living options, close to nature (e.g., Lake Tahoe, Nevada Mountains, Bay Area), historical attractions, and weekly community events.
Organization: California Department of Housing and Community Development
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, Data Collection, Project Management, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Over the last Five years, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has started collecting new data from local governments regarding their progress in building housing (Annual Progress Reports), and their planned locations for new housing (Housing Element Site Inventories). HCD seeks the assistance of a CivicWell fellow to analyze patterns and trends in this data to glean insights on a wide variety of housing policy questions, including Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH). Following this analysis, HCD will identify additional tools and resources that will be available to all local governments.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
HCD headquarters are located in the State Capital of Sacramento. The City is home to the National Basketball Association team, Sacramento Kings, confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in the Sacramento Valley. The City offers affordable living options, close to nature (e.g., Lake Tahoe, Nevada Mountains, Bay Area), historical attractions, and weekly community events.
Organization: Yolo County
Location: Woodland, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Project Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Facilitation
ABOUT THE PROJECT
In 2023, Yolo County—in partnership with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, City of Davis, City of Woodland, University of California Davis, Cool Davis, and Valley Vision—was awarded funding from the inaugural round of California’s Regional Resilience Grant Program (RRGP), part of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) (formerly the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research’s (OPR)) Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP). This grant, supported by the Governor’s multi-year climate budget, intends to fortify climate change resilience at a regional level.
This project aims to build the County’s first formal climate collaborative, the Yolo County Regional Resilience Collaborative (YCRRC). YCRRC aims to engage vulnerable communities to identify shared climate priorities, establish a governance structure, and develop a funding and implementation strategy.
It is our hope and within the scope of the project that the new CivicSpark Fellow will support engaging with the community to 1) develop a needs assessment that identifies shared resilience priorities related to climate risks, including wildfire, extreme heat, drought, and flooding, 2) support the development of a governance structure for the proposed Yolo County Regional Resilience Collaborative to achieve these shared priorities, and 3) support the development of an implementation strategy to build staff capacity and facilitate ongoing collaborative work in Yolo County, including implementing climate-resilient projects. This position will also directly support and manage CAAP Strategy 10 (Build Resilient Infrastructure and Healthy Communities). Management of this strategy includes researching, developing, and implementing Phase I Priority Actions of the CAAP as well as diligently tracking progress to be shared regularly with stakeholders and our online CAAP Tracking Dashboard website.
This project will serve the 220,000 residents of Yolo County, including residents living in the County’s 13 Disadvantaged and Severely Disadvantaged Communities (CalEnviroScreen). The unincorporated communities of Knights Landing, Esparto, Madison, Guinda, and Dunnigan; the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, a sovereign Native American tribal government; the West Sacramento neighborhoods of Broderick, Bryte, and the area surrounding the Port of West Sacramento; and portions of the Cities of Woodland and Davis are considered disadvantaged (at or above 75% CalEnviroScreen 4.0) and/or low-income (at or below 80% AB 1550). The shared regional resilience priorities developed as part of the proposed project will include climate-resilient projects that benefit these communities.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Regional Resilience Collaborative Support:
Broader CAAP Support:
Role of the Fellow in the project:
How these resources will help increase the agency’s capacity to address the resilience challenges you described in the previous section:
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Yolo County is a place where collaboration is part of our culture. We are a county with limited resources and therefore we help each other out as much as we can. While we take our work seriously, we try not to take ourselves too seriously and have fun whenever we can.
The Office of Sustainability’s work is guided by the principles of a Just Transition, and equitable engagement is the central focus of the County’s Climate Emergency Declaration, the Climate Action Commission, and our broader sustainability work. The Fellow will be mentored by the County’s Sustainability Manager and supported by the County’s Sustainability Analyst (also a former CivicSpark Fellow in the 2021 cohort). They will have the opportunity to interact with elected officials, community partners, and members of the public.
As the former CivicSpark Senior Project Manager, the Sustainability Manager cares deeply about creating a Fellow experience that is dynamic, engaging, and tailored to the Fellow’s interests and professional goals. Fellows will have the opportunity to attend various County events and meetings that align with their interests and will have regular, structured career development conversations with the Sustainability Manager. Opportunity exists to learn from other Sustainability Team employees and CivicSpark Fellows in collaborative team projects!
Organization: Yolo County
Location: Woodland, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Marketing, Community Engagement, Facilitation
ABOUT THE PROJECT
In September of 2020, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted a Climate Emergency Resolution (Resolution No. 20-114) that “declares climate change a crisis requiring urgent and immediate mobilization of public and private resources to develop and implement a climate and sustainability plan that identifies and integrates current and future actions needed to achieve a just economic recovery and transition to a countywide carbon negative footprint by 2030.” This new target required the County to develop a new Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) which must incorporate the principles of equity and justice. The CAAP has since been adopted in December 2024 with a sweeping amount of actions that need support to accomplish to reach our 2030 net-negative goal.
With our 2030 CAAP having been adopted in December 2024, it is our hope that the new CivicSpark Fellow will build on the existing foundation former CivicSpark Fellows with the County created. This includes developing new communications streams, such as video projects to engage with the public, messaging around CAAP implementation progress and milestones, and providing a new interface for engaging with the community around our consumption-based inventory and community-facing CAAP implementation opportunities and implementing our Community Engagement Strategy. This position will also directly support and manage CAAP Strategy 9 (Reduce Carbon Footprint of Consumption and Production) + our emerging Green Business Program. Management of this strategy includes researching, developing, and implementing Phase I Priority Actions of the CAAP as well as diligently tracking progress to be shared regularly with stakeholders and our online CAAP Tracking Dashboard website.
With 180+ actions listed in the CAAP to achieve our net-negative by 2030 goal, there is a critical need for the development of tracking and monitoring systems, as well as a strategy for maintaining transparency on CAAP progress with the public. We need a Fellow to set up these systems so that we can achieve our emissions reductions goals during the service year and beyond. Climate communications work is vital to the success of the CAAP as it supports our primary GHG emissions sources and reduction potentials, such as Transportation, Building Electrification, and Natural and Working Lands. Communications and transparency support also aids with climate adaptation and community resilience challenges our frontline communities are facing.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Overarching Goals of the Project:
Broader CAAP Support:
The Fellow will support the Office of Sustainability’s communications and broader CAAP goals, including working with the Sustainability Manager, the Equity and Engagement Working Group, developing staff reports and presentations, creating meeting minutes and summaries, supporting CAAP workshops, and assisting with the work of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission.
Role of the Fellow in the Project:
Desired Project Outcomes:
How These Resources Will Help Increase the Agency’s Capacity:
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Yolo County is a place where collaboration is part of our culture. We are county with limited resources and therefore we help each other out as much as we can. While we take our work seriously, we try not to take ourselves too seriously and have fun whenever we can.
The Office of Sustainability’s work is guided by the principles of a Just Transition, and equitable engagement is the central focus of the County’s Climate Emergency Declaration, the Climate Action Commission, and our broader sustainability work. The Fellow will be mentored by the County’s Sustainability Manager and supported by the County’s Sustainability Analyst (also a former CivicSpark Fellow in the 2021 cohort). They will have the opportunity to interact with elected officials, community partners, and members of the public.
As the former CivicSpark Senior Project Manager, the Sustainability Manager cares deeply about creating a Fellow experience that is dynamic, engaging, and tailored to the Fellow’s interests and professional goals. Fellows will have the opportunity to attend various County events and meetings that align with their interests and will have regular, structured career development conversations with the Sustainability Manager. Opportunity exists to learn from other Sustainability Team employees and CivicSpark Fellows in collaborative team projects!
Organization: City of Elk Grove
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Openings: FILLED
Desired Skills: Data Collection, Project Planning & Management, Research
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Elk Grove’s Housing and Public Services Division is seeking support for research and implementation of projects focused on expanding housing pathways to meet the growing demand for affordable and middle-income housing. The primary goal is to ensure that affordable housing options are accessible to both low- and middle-income families, who are increasingly being priced out of the market. This project will address these challenges by exploring new state funding opportunities, innovative strategies for middle-income housing, and potential policy and land-use reforms to create sustainable solutions.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Fellow will work primarily on two projects:
1.Research on the State of California’s Pro-Housing Designation. California’s Pro-Housing Designation is a designation given to cities and counties that demonstrate a strong commitment to increasing housing production, particularly affordable housing, and creating housing policies that align with the state’s goals for addressing California’s housing crisis. The Fellow will play a crucial role in supporting the City’s application for the Pro-Housing Designation. Key responsibilities for this project will include: Conducting research on the state’s requirements for the Pro-Housing Designation; helping identify gaps in the City’s current housing policies and practices; collaborating with local government officials and key stakeholders to outline an action plan for implementing changes based on state guidelines, zoning, land-use, and development incentives; and supporting the preparation of necessary documentation, reports, and community engagement presentations related to the Pro-Housing application.
2. Supporting Implementation of Middle-Income Housing: The City of Elk Grove’s Housing and Public Services Division aims to create innovative, sustainable solutions for developing and maintaining middle-income housing options. As part of this process, the Division is preparing to launch a homebuyer down payment assistance program for first-time middle-income families in Elk Grove. The Fellow will play a crucial role in supporting the City’s implementation of the program. Key responsibilities will include: Assisting Housing staff in developing program materials (flyers, program guidelines, website information etc.); conducting research on innovative middle-income housing strategies adopted by surrounding jurisdictions; and providing recommendations for potential land-use reforms, developer incentives, and funding opportunities.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Elk Grove is a suburban community with a population of about 180,000. The community is very diverse, and is one of the most racially integrated cities in the US. Most of the City has been designated a high opportunity area and is very family-friendly. Elk Grove residents have a strong sense of community. Elk Grove is also home to dozens of dedicated nonprofits, many of whom work closely with the City on various initiatives.
Organization: California DWR
Location: Sacramento, CA
Openings: FILLED (2)
Desired Skills: Data Collection& Database Proficiency (FAB Project), Community Engagement & Research (URCTA)
ABOUT THE PROJECT
•DWR’s Division of Regional Assistance, Financial Assistance Branch, Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program provides financial and technical assistance to Underrepresented Communities (URCs), CA Tribes and Small Farmers; Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) and IRWM regions in California– working closely with the Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA), Sustainable Groundwater Management Office (SGMO) and other DWR groups (e.g., Statewide Planning, Climate Change, Water Justice/Racial Equity Office). DWR is working to build capacity with Tribes and URCs to ensure more meaningful involvement in the SGM and IRWM Programs, including access to technical and financial assistance.
•The FAB Branch Fellow will work on Capacity and Water-related Resiliency to Underrepresented Communities, CA Tribes and Small Farmers, including database proficiency activities.
•The Executive Division Fellow will also assist DWR’s Racial Equity Office in an effort to solidify and deepen its commitment to develop water policies and strategies that address the needs of all Californians, guided by DWR’s Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) and through DWR’s Center of Excellence for Racial Equity, Tribal Affairs, and Water Justice.
•In this unique opportunity to work in the State Capital with DWR, Tribes and URCs, the Fellows will learn about statewide water management challenges through the Underrepresented Communities, California Tribes, Small Farmers Groundwater Technical Assistance (URCTA) Program, Racial Equity Action Plan, climate change adaptation, drought and flood preparedness and response, water conservation and supply, and fiscal challenges.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The FAB Branch Fellow will be assisting with the development of training materials, finalizing project monitoring methods, transferring data, and expanding a post-performance online database to include items other than groundwater. Also, the FAB Branch Fellow will be assisting with databases and possibly, visualization tools.
The Executive Division Fellow will assist DWR’s Racial Equity Office (REO) in an effort to solidify and deepen its commitment to develop water policies and strategies that address the needs of all Californians, guided by DWR’s Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) and in alignment with DWR’s Strategic Plan. The Executive Division Fellow will assist the REO with execution of REAP and Strategic Plan initiatives along with responding to new legislation affecting diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Specifically, the Executive Division Fellow will assist in developing and independently maintaining communications tracking mechanisms to support the work and evaluation of the Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP), which includes webpage management and electronic records management.
The Executive Division Fellow will assist in Promoting Environmental Justice and Human Right to Water initiatives by building meaningful engagement internally within DWR and also, externally with communities through developing and adopting best management practices for community engagement and expanding targeted outreach to underserved communities regarding combating drought and flood emergencies, preserving the ecosystems, and safeguarding the human right to water.
The Executive Division Fellow will assist with historical program research and will assist the REO with providing thoughtful analysis and context related to department programs for DWR’s annual submissions into the California Natural Resources Agency’s Equity Year in Review and the DWR Racial Equity Plan Annual Update publications.
The Executive Division Fellow will assist the REO with data collection and analysis in support of DWR Strategic goal 1: Be an Employer of Choice, which includes objectives intended to attract, develop, and support employees and along with fostering a culture of excellence. The Executive Division Fellow will assist with identification, tracking and cataloging professional memberships and associations that support employee leadership pathways.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Being in the DWR will provide the Fellows with a statewide view of issues and the demographics affected by water management issues. In addition to Underrepresented Communities (URC), Tribal, and Racial Equity work, DWR provides essential information to legislation and policy issues, for many water resources topics such as water management and water supply, power and infrastructure, dam safety and flood management, emergency response and education. DWR is headquartered in California’s capital city of Sacramento. The area is known as the City of Trees and as a Farm-to-Fork Capitol. It is rich in fresh produce with nearby agriculture, an abundance of natural recreation areas for hiking, camping, and boating, and also 2-3 hours away from Napa/Sonoma, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the Santa Cruz/Monterey Peninsula. The Fellows will be a welcome addition to DWR’s 40-person Financial Assistance Branch team, comprised of environmental scientists, engineers, analysts and program managers and the Executive Center of Excellence for special projects. There will be many opportunities for developing new friendships with colleagues, getting coaching and mentorship, interacting with other DWR divisions and groups, and participating in monthly Branch meetings and team building activities.
In addition to the Headquarters Office in Sacramento, DWR has other Regional Offices in Red Bluff, Fresno and Glendale who can provide support. Currently, DWR staff is in the office 2-4 days a week.
Organization: SJCOG – San Joaquin Council of Governments
Location: Stockton, CA
Openings: FILLED (3)
Desired Skills: Data Analysis, Technical Writing, Community Engagement, Project Management
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) is a planning agency that carries out planning and programming functions on a regional scale. SJCOG conducts activities related to air quality conformity, housing, transportation, climate, and regional planning. Additionally, SJCOG staff conduct regional planning studies, which range in topic from workforce development, transportation innovation and housing. Because of an increase in projects and programs to implement, SJCOG seeks to enhance its internal staff capacity with the request of three Civic Spark Fellows to support current and on-going efforts in public outreach, planning, and implementation activities related to regional housing, transportation, and other planning priorities.
The project will address the following community priorities and challenges:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Project 1: Regional Transportation Plan Update & Implementation
Goals: Support the update and implementation of the Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), a long-range plan that includes integrated land use, housing, climate and environmental strategies
Outcomes:
How the outcomes increase capacity:
Project 2: San Joaquin Regional Climate Collaborative
Goals: Build relationships and capacity across the region, with a focus on implementing climate projects
Outcomes:
How the outcomes increase capacity:
Project 3: Addressing Regional Housing Needs
Goals: Support planning and implementation of regional housing activities, including the San Joaquin Regional Housing Fund
Outcomes:
Project 4: Encouraging Sustainable Travel through TDM Projects Implementation
Goals: Support the implementation of proposed Transportation Demand Management (TDM) projects identified in the 2025 TDM Study. This will involve coordination with local agencies and project partners, outreach, and reporting to advance pilot projects or expand existing projects (e.g. vanpooling, school bussing, and/or truck travel) that encourage sustainable travel choices.
Outcomes:
How the outcomes increase capacity:
Project 5: Green House Gas Reductions through Transit and Active Transportation
Goals: Support the Programming and Project Delivery Team in implementing Transit and Active Transportation planning and programming activities
Outcomes:
How the outcomes increase capacity:
Project 6: Increasing Access and Mobility through Mobility Hubs
Goals: Support the Planning Team with developing and/or implementing the Regional Mobility Hubs Plan
Outcomes:
How the outcomes increase capacity:
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Stockton and San Joaquin County are a part of the Northern California Megaregion, which includes the Bay Area and greater Sacramento. The geographic location of the region has contributed to a growing trend of super commuters travelling 90+ minutes or 50 miles to and from the workplace. Stockton and San Joaquin County are also part of the San Joaquin Valley, a megaregion that is distinctly suburban and rural and faces long term economic and environmental challenges. The geography and location of the community places it at the literal crossroads of many urban planning challenges that one learns about in academic settings.
The opportunity to work here at SJCOG and in San Joaquin County would provide valuable learning and professional training in the public sector, especially for those interested in urban planning.
SJCOG is a regional government agency located in Stockton, CA. There are approximately 30 staff who range in function from planning, programming, communications, finance, and support. The planning and programming teams, where Civic Spark Fellows are expected to serve, is highly collaborative. Fellows can expect to work in a fast-pace, dynamic, and adaptive organizational culture in which they will work closely with their direct supervisor and team members to develop and implement project activities. The mission of SJCOG is to partner with local governments, the private sector, and community groups as the forum, facilitator, and administrator of regional programs, and to advocate for regional and inter-regional issues in the development of a comprehensive strategy to achieve resolutions.
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