About the Organization
Heal the Bay is the most recognized environmental nonprofit group in LA for a reason: we have been keeping Southern California’s coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean for people and marine life since 1985. Using education, science, advocacy, and community action, we raise awareness and make progress with practical solutions to often complex problems. We conduct hundreds of beach and community cleanups each year, informing people about the root causes of pollution along the shorelines and in their neighborhoods. We advocate for strict water quality regulations that protect the health of both humans and the animals that call local creeks, rivers, and the Santa Monica Bay home. We operate the award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, inspiring visitors to become stewards for the region’s most important natural resource: clean water. We also educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, with more than 10,000 students joining us each year for school field trips, science-based classroom presentations, and events. Learn more about us at www.healthebay.org/our-impact.
About the Role
The Safe Clean Water Program Associate Specialist is a key member of Heal the Bay’s Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP) Team, supporting community education and engagement throughout the Central and South Santa Monica Bay Watershed areas. This position plays an important role in advancing the goals of the Safe Clean Water Program by fostering inclusive, meaningful community participation and increasing public understanding of local water quality, water supply, and climate resilience efforts.
This role contributes directly to the SCWP’s mission to:
- Protect public health and create safer, greener, and more resilient communities.
- Modernize Los Angeles County’s water system to capture and reuse more of the billions of gallons currently lost each year.
- Reduce pollutants in stormwater to safeguard coastal waters, beaches, and marine life.
- Upgrade aging water infrastructure using a combination of nature-based solutions, science, and emerging technology.
- Prepare the region for climate-driven impacts, including drought, wildfire, and flooding.
- The Associate Specialist helps ensure that all SCWP contract deliverables are successfully met, representing Heal the Bay in a variety of public, community, and partner settings. This includes conducting presentations, attending coalition meetings, participating in community events, and supporting multilingual outreach.
Expectations & Responsibilities
- Build community knowledge of SCWP goals by taking initiative and leveraging a strong understanding of western Los Angeles County communities.
- Promote SCWP engagement opportunities through a variety of outreach methods to ensure participation among neighborhood councils, local governments, and community leaders.
- Assist Watershed Coordinators in both the South and Central Santa Monica Bay areas in developing and delivering educational activities and trainings.
- Represent Heal the Bay at select coalition and partner meetings.
- Support content creation and translation of outreach materials for Spanish-speaking communities.
- Lead the SCWP tabling program and represent the program at inland and urban community festivals and events.
- Deliver educational presentations to a wide range of audiences.
- Assist in securing and completing bilingual (Spanish/English) print, radio, and television outreach.
- Support review of invoices, quarterly newsletters, and reporting deliverables.
- Recruit schools, public agencies, businesses, elected officials, and community groups to participate in SCWP outreach activities.
- Collect community surveys during field outreach activities.
- Coordinate stakeholder meetings and ensure that stakeholder databases remain accurate and up to date.
- Assist the Programs Department with events as needed.
Preferred Experience & Skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills in both English and Spanish, including strong writing abilities.
- Demonstrated success engaging community groups, faith-based organizations, and social justice partners.
- Passion for environmental protection and environmental justice.
- Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for public-facing work.
- Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects independently and collaboratively.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related tools.
- Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel to outreach events and meetings.
- Familiarity with communities in the Central and/or South Santa Monica Bay Watershed area.
Compensation
Full time, non-exempt $23.00-$25.00 hourly rate based on experience.
Benefits
Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Simple IRA, and vacation benefits are included as part of full-time employment. In accordance with California Labor Law, employee will be eligible to receive up to 72 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year, after completing 30 days of employment.
Schedule
Participation in some weekend and evening events, as well as county wide travel. Heal the Bay operates in hybrid manner; typical schedule might be (2) days in the office and (1) day in the field per week. Heal the Bay offers a dynamic work environment with highly motivated colleagues.
To Apply
Follow prompts to submit cover letter and resume.
Application Deadline: Until filled
Heal the Bay is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and we strongly encourage applications from individuals that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County. If you don’t meet all of the preferred skills above, you are still encouraged to apply and will be considered based on diverse and equivalent skills and experience.
Heal the Bay complies with AB 1008, the Fair Chance Act, during the hiring process. Once a conditional job offer has been made the candidate will be asked to complete a Live Scan criminal background check. A thorough assessment of conviction history will be considered including the nature and gravity of the criminal history, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job the candidate is seeking.
