Construction & Demolition Zero Waste Fellow

ABOUT SF DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The mission of SF Environment is to provide solutions that advance climate protection and enhance quality of life for all San Franciscans. SF Environment works on policy and programming in areas such as Zero Waste, Toxics Reduction, Environmental Justice, Transportation, Climate Change, Energy, Green Building, and Urban Forest. SF Environment (SFE) prioritizes the following values: credibility, innovation, collaboration, equity and impact. We pride ourselves in being a trusted source of environmental information. Working with a range of partners is essential to our success, as all our initiatives are underpinned by a commitment to equity, inclusiveness and accessibility. 

OVERVIEW & IMPACT

The Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Recovery team, under the direction of the Zero Waste Program, implements the city’s Construction and Demolition Debris Recovery Ordinance  (No. 27-06), as newly amended in 2021 (No. 144-21, Environment Code Chapter 14), which mandates that all C&D material removed from a project must be recycled, composted, and/or reused – direct landfilling of C&D materials originating in San Francisco is illegal. To learn more, please visit https://sfenvironment.org/construction-demolition-requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES

This multifaceted role involves assisting with the implementation of the C&D Debris Recovery Ordinance and supporting the research and development of sustainable building material management (BMM) policies and programs. Tasks include: 

• Researching opportunities to develop new markets for recycling and/or reusing discarded C&D materials 
• Supporting implementation of pilot programs tasked with capturing and redistributing surplus and salvaged building materials, including the development and deployment of an online materials exchange
• Assisting with the development and implementation of outreach campaign(s) to raise awareness of State and local recycling programs and policies for discarded building materials 
• Assisting with the review of Material Reduction and Recovery Plans (MRRPs) and verify compliance with debris recovery requirements 
• Assisting with the implementation of an electronic database for tracking registered haulers, facilities and material recovery results 
• Presenting information to the public, businesses and trade associations, and responding to public inquiries 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Responsible, motivated, and able to work independently and in a team
• Comprehension of climate change science and California environmental policies, especially those focused in the areas of Zero Waste and/or Green Building
• Experience with zero waste principles, policies, and program implementation
• Knowledge of environmental protection principles and issues; especially those that apply to the construction industry 
• Community outreach and communications experience 
• Word processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint development, database and internet proficiency 
• Interest in learning more about equity, inclusion and diversity concepts and applying them in the environmental field 
• Bilingual in a language commonly spoken in San Francisco

CLIMATE CORPS AMERICORPS QUALIFICATIONS

• Be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
• Have a high school diploma/GED
• Be 17 years old or older
• Pass state criminal and FBI background checks, and a national check in the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Registry
• Test negatively for tuberculosis if working with minors
• Be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing
• Live in the state of California

FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE AT SF ENVIRONMENT

• Extensive professional and personal development training and coaching
• Opportunities to observe and participate in the development of environmental policy and programs 
• Professional networking
• Safe and inclusive atmosphere to practice and refine professional skills such as project management, making and delivering presentations, data management and analysis, and other transferable skills
• Develop sustainability skills, implement impactful climate change resiliency projects, and build partnerships in your community.

ABOUT US

Climate Corps AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is a national service commitment that meets a community’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. Climate Corps AmeriCorps partners with local government, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to provide full-time service opportunities in the Bay Area, Southern California, and the Central Valley to support communities’ critical needs for building climate resilience. Climate Corps AmeriCorps Fellows dedicate 1,700 hours of service in exchange for leadership and career development, and a living stipend supported by an AmeriCorps grant. Climate Corps AmeriCorps is an exciting opportunity for service-minded individuals who are passionate about building climate resilience for communities. For more information, please visit www.americorps.gov or www.climatecorps.org. SEI requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

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. BACR employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit weekly COVID-19 test results. BACR covers the cost of testing and associated travel expenses. 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Bay Area Community Resources, the administrator of Climate Corps AmeriCorps, is an equal opportunity employer. We cultivate an environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all employees and National Service members. We are firmly committed to maintaining an atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. Therefore, we enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this equal opportunity policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.

How to apply:

To become a Fellow, please submit an online application and resume here: https://www.climatecorps.org/fellow.html  

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until placements are filled. We encourage submitting applications as soon as possible. Upon review, qualifying applicants will be contacted for an initial screening interview.