Director of Environmental Justice

Director for Environmental Justice Division

Join an agency committed to creating a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident while protecting and improving public health, air quality, and the global climate! The Bay Area Air District (Air District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices.

The Bay Area Air District's Equity and Community Programs Service Area is seeking a highly qualified, highly motivated and engaged Director for its Environmental Justice Division. As a key member of the management team, the Director for Environmental Justice leads a team of over 15 employees advancing the Air District's Environmental Justice and community engagement initiatives across the Bay Area.

What You'll Do

• Strategically consult with cross divisional stakeholders to ensure equity-focused value integration throughout Air District programs
• Collaborate across divisions to strengthen and advance district-wide environmental justice efforts
• Foster and maintain trusted partnerships with community-based organizations, residents, public agencies, and other external stakeholders
• Lead efforts to embed environmental justice principles and community priorities into district planning, policy development, and program implementation
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of community engagement strategies, frameworks, and practices to strengthen public participation, transparency and accountability

What You'll Bring

• Five years of progressively responsible leadership experience supporting community-focused initiatives within a public agency or similarly mission-driven organization
• Five years of experience developing, implementing, and leading successful community engagement and public participation programs
• Fluency in Spanish or other non-English language widely spoken in the communities served by the Air District preferred but not required

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Officer of Equity and Community Programs, the Director of the Environmental Justice Division provides strategic leadership for the Air District's environmental justice, community engagement, and community capacity-building efforts. The Division works with impacted communities across the Bay Area to advance public health, equity, and environmental justice by increasing awareness and transparency on air quality issues, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding opportunities for meaningful participation in Air District decision-making. The Division advances community-informed solutions, helps guide outreach and engagement practices across the District, and informs policies and programs by elevating community perspectives and environmental justice priorities.

The Director oversees several key initiatives and programs, including the Community Advisory Council, Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617) Program, Environmental Justice Navigators Program, Clean Air Filtration Program, James Cary Smith Community Grant Program, and the People's Air Grant Program, and supports the Marie Harrison Environmental Justice Youth Scholarship and Norman Mineta Summer Youth Academy.

About the Air District

The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.

At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Additionally, we believe in pay equity and strive to create an equitable compensation structure. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, we understand the importance of supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside the workplace. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated, and your growth is nurtured. The Air District recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.

This recruitment is for one (1) Director position in the Environmental Justice Division. This is an open recruitment for one (1) full-time, exempt, management position. Distinguishing Characteristics:

This class reports directs all activities of a medium or large division. Incumbents operate within a broad policy framework and assume sole responsibility for a functional area(s) of service. Incumbents coordinate and implement program planning, and define organizational structure, staffing requirements, resource allocation, and identification of future resource needs. Incumbents provide subject matter expertise and interface with all Managerial levels within the agency and outside agencies and serve as representatives of the division in meetings involving policies, procedures, operation, and administrative systems.

The Director is distinguished from the Assistant Deputy Executive Officer in that the latter has over all managerial responsibility for a large division or area of the Air District.

Supervision Received and/or Exercised:

Supervision is provided by the Deputy Executive Officer of Equity & Community Programs.

Responsible for direct supervision of staff.