Fresno Metro Ministry, based in Fresno, California, is seeking an Environmental Health Director dedicated to advancing the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley by providing community leadership and advocacy on range of environmental issues, especially air quality.

The Organization

Fresno Metropolitan Ministry (Metro) is a 501(c)(3) multi-faith and multicultural social justice organization that was established in 1970. Metro works to solve problems related to health care access, public health, air quality, hunger and nutrition, and works to build better relationships among diverse cultural groups.

Metro is governed by a twenty-five member multi-cultural and multi-religious Board of Directors. Current staffing includes thirteen positions. The organization's budget is $888,000. Funding sources include individuals, congregations, denominations, government and foundation grants, community organizations, fundraisers, and Metro programming. Supporters include individuals, congregations, denominations, and community-based organizations that contribute financially, and/or serve on committees and task forces, volunteer, or participate in its programming. More information on Fresno Metro Ministry may be found at http://www.fresnometroministry.org.

The Position

The Environmental Health Director (EH Director) develops and administers the environmental health program for Metro. This program primarily focuses on the air pollution problem that is affecting the San Joaquin Valley, which now has the nation's unhealthiest air and the state's highest asthma rates. The EH Director is acutely aware of the environmental justice implications of poor air quality, especially considering the diverse communities that reside in the San Joaquin Valley. The EH Director manages Environmental Health staff, oversees the program budget, and is responsible for fundraising and writing grants to support the program.

Toward this end, the Executive Director has identified the following priorities for the first 12 to 18 months of the incoming EH Director (not necessarily in priority order):

• Build strong relations with current coalitions.
• Maintain current program activities toward targeted outcomes.
• Work with Metro executive director to plan the program's expansion to address other environmental issues that affect the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley.
• Work aggressively to secure new grants to sustain the program and fund its expansion.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, the EH Director will provide overall management of the environmental health programming of the organization and the EH staff. The EH Director will work closely with the Executive Director to chart the future goals and direction of the organization. Key responsibilities for the EH Director includes:

Outreach and Education

• Engage individuals and community organizations in campaigns to improve San Joaquin Valley air quality.
• Train interested individuals to be advocates for healthy air Direct community organizing efforts related to environmental health.
• Develop materials to teach diverse groups about the air quality problems facing the San Joaquin Valley, including web-based materials.
• Coordinate events and presentations to teach groups about the science, health effects, and solutions to air pollution.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in the community.

Environmental Health Advocacy

• Advocate for healthy air policies and regulations at the local and state regulatory and legislative levels.
• Research and analyze current and proposed air quality policies and regulations.
• Represent Metro and the organization's position in relations with governmental and media institutions.
• Act as the spokesperson for Metro on issues pertaining to environmental health.
• Attend San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District meetings, and other relevant agency meetings, to provide written and oral recommendations.
• Actively participate in coalitions that deal with San Joaquin Valley environmental health and environmental justice problems, such as: Californians for Pesticide Reform (Steering Committee), Central Valley Air Quality Coalition, Safe Air For Everyone, and the Central California Environmental Justice Network.

Central Valley Air Quality (CVAQ) Coalition

• Coordinate with the CVAQ Coalition on Metro's air quality advocacy efforts.
• Participate on the CVAQ Legislative Committee and other related issue/policy sub-committees.
• Secure a leadership position within the CVAQ Coalition through serving as the chair of a sub-committee, participating in the Council of Committees, or the Steering Committee.
• Manage and maintain Metro's leadership position within the broad clean air community in the San Joaquin Valley, and on clean air issues in California.

Program Development and Administration

• Work with the Executive Director to set goals, objectives, and priorities for Metro's Environmental Health Program.
• Coordinate activities to meet the program's goals and to fulfill grant requirements.
• Oversee the program budget, write grant proposals, and conduct fund raising activities to support the program.
• Direct activities of Metro Environmental Health staff members and volunteers.
• Maintain records management system.
• Conduct appropriate training for personnel.

Operations Support

• Coordinate Metro's activities in coalitions and alliances, such as setting up meetings, participating in phone conferences and follow-up activities.
• Provide support to other Metro projects and activities.
• Undertake other special projects on behalf of Metro

Experience and Attributes

An ideal candidate for this position will advance and enhance services and support. He/she will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to Metro, including:

• Passion for social justice and progressive public policy.
• Experience in community organizing, community outreach and mobilizing, or leadership development, ideally with social justice, environmental justice, environmental health, or community health issues and policy organization.
• Knowledge of public policy issues and the political process.
• Strong and effective analytical/persuasive writing skills and oral communication skills, as well as excellent public speaking skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and team player skills; the ability to work successfully with diverse groups and through many communication vehicles (e-mail, voice mail, written correspondence, personal meetings, etc.).
• Energy and initiative with an ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Facility with PC systems and competency/experience with standard Microsoft Office software.
• Personal attitude that includes flexibility, willingness to adapt to changing situations and a good sense of humor.
• Bachelor's degree.
• Ability to read and write in Spanish.

Salary & Benefits

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Metro offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package.

Relocation

The relocation of an exceptional candidate from outside the Fresno area is open to discussion.

Application Process

To apply, email cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: FMM@transitionguides.com.

Other inquiries should be addressed to: FMM EH Director Search Committee, c/o TransitionGuides, 1751 Elton Rd, Suite 204, Silver Spring, MD 20903. Phone: (301) 439-6635 Fax: (301) 439-6638

Resume reviews begin immediately.

EO/AA. Fresno Metropolitan Ministry is open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity and national origin, age, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religious affiliation.