Organics and Recycling Compliance Fellow

Tamalpais Community Services District - SB 1383 Organics and Recycling Compliance Fellow

*Please note: We will be hiring one (1) 12-month Fellow for this role

If you are passionate about helping local governments reduce the waste they send to landfill and assisting with community outreach about waste laws and ordinances, then this may be an opportunity for you!

About Tamalpais Community Services District

The Tamalpais Community Services District (TCSD) is a special district (i.e., governmental agency) in unincorporated Marin County that provides solid waste residential and commercial collection services in Tamalpais Valley. As part of a regional approach to implementing the requirements of the Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Act (SB1383), TCSD has coordinated a regional SB1383 Local Assistance Grant (Grant) from CalRecycle with six other unincorporated Marin Special Districts including: Alto Sanitary District, Almonte Sanitary District, Bolinas Public Utilities District, Homestead Valley Sanitary District, Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, and Strawberry Recreation District (Special Districts). TCSD has retained R3 Consulting to perform an initial analysis of the level of SB 1383 implementation that each participating Special District has undertaken. Once this work has been completed, R3 will recommend to each Special District the program improvements needed to meet the requirements of the regulations and implement systems to improve organics diversion and enhance organics collection. These programs will align with County-wide goals to act on climate change and promote healthy, safe, and sustainable communities.

Position Overview and Description

The principles of waste reduction and diversion of organics and recyclable materials from landfills are closely related to fighting climate change and advancing climate resiliency. Reducing fossil-fuel-based plastics, encouraging mindfulness surrounding consumption, reducing natural resource depletion through recycling, and avoiding landfill methane emissions while improving soil health through composting are just some examples of this intersection. TCSD and the other special districts are excited to host a 12-month Climate Corps Fellow to work on fighting climate change through the diversion of organics and recyclables away from landfills. 

This Fellow position will assist with outreach and compliance with waste laws and ordinances. The work will entail coordinating with the participating Special Districts to complete community outreach and messaging related to reducing landfill waste, correct recycling, and composting, and complying with SB 1383. Examples of possible projects could include but are not limited to: supporting the Special Districts in evaluating their compliance with SB1383, conducting contamination monitoring of bins, developing programs to help facilitate more recycling and organics diversion, creating and conducting outreach campaigns related to proper waste sorting, and developing communications about reducing overall waste by switching to reusables, completing on-site training with Special District staff, residents and businesses to help them comply with waste laws and ordinances, inspecting sites for compliance with waste laws and ordinances, and possible coordination with regional Zero Waste Marin programs. Community outreach could include occasional weekend work, such as tabling at events. 

The position will be supervised by TCSD staff with R3 Consulting assigning the tasks to be undertaken by the Fellow. The position will be housed in the TCSD main office, but we anticipate the ability to work remotely for 2 days per week depending on the tasks at hand. The position will require driving to the other participating Special Districts for meetings, training, and/or program implementation. 

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Work with Tamalpais Community Services District as well as other participating Special District staff to identify and implement outreach opportunities for educating communities on proper waste sorting and waste reduction. 
• Develop organics and recycling collection, recordkeeping, and reporting systems in coordination with the participating special districts
• Conduct waste reduction training, presentations, and inspections for SB 1383 compliance at various sites in the Special District service areas.
• In coordination with Special District staff, assist districts with documenting the required Implementation Record of compliance activities for SB 1383 (Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Act)
• Work with TCSD staff and consultants to analyze program metrics in connection with the SB 1383 requirements. 
• Facilitate communication between the regional Zero Waste Marin SB1383 compliance programs with those of the participating Special Districts

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of waste reduction principles, including but not limited to recycling, composting, source reduction of waste, reuse, repair, etc. 
• Experience with outreach and communications
• Experience conducting administrative tasks, coordinating recordkeeping, and establishing new processes
• Experience and/or comfort with presenting in front of a variety of stakeholders and groups
• Ability to communicate with diverse groups of people and help them understand main takeaways or desired actions 
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is a plus 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, such as Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Ability to attend weekend events and evening meetings if needed.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license (this position will require driving to sites for training and meetings)

We encourage anyone who is interested in this position and who meets some of the qualifications to apply, even if they do not meet all of them. We recognize that a unique perspective and background can enhance a role when many, if not all, of the listed qualifications are met.

**If you would need to relocate for this position, please note that you need to be in the state you are relocating to no less than 10 business days before the start of the fellowship.**

Benefits

• End-of-program financial award.
• Healthcare coverage with 100% of healthcare insurance premiums covered by the employer.
• Access to a national Member Assistance Program, which includes financial and legal assistance, medical advocacy, and counseling services. 
• Professional and Personal Development Training
• Career-readiness training in interview preparation, salary negotiation, and developing a professional resume and cover letter.
• Attending panels, workshops, and presentations by climate resilience industry professionals. 
• Professional networking opportunities. 

More About TCSD

The mission of Tamalpais Community Services District (TCSD) is to protect and enhance a healthy community in Tamalpais Valley by providing an environmentally safe, wastewater collection system, conducting an efficient and innovative refuse, green waste, and recycling collection program, preserving District-owned open space and providing recreational and educational activities for our residents that helps build a sense of community, giving a voice to our residents as they work with other governmental agencies.

About Climate Corps

Climate Corps, a program of SEI, is an award-winning fellowship program that provides professional development opportunities for emerging leaders through the implementation of sustainability and resiliency projects with local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. To see a full list of climate, energy, and sustainability positions posted by Climate Corps, please visit here: https://jobs.climatecorps.org/listings. We are constantly adding positions, so make sure to frequently check this site to see if there are new opportunities available.

SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply. A commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework is required. https://www.seiinc.org/dei.html