Capacity Building Fellow

The Greenlining Institute•Oakland, CA

2d•$60,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Greenlining Institute works towards a future where communities of color can build wealth, live in healthy places filled with economic opportunity, and are ready to meet the challenges posed by climate change. We work with communities of color to: Understand and analyze the racist barriers to economic opportunity. Demand accountability from the public and private sectors to combat injustice. Foster consensus-building that produces long-term change and success. Bridge research and policy to spearhead innovative strategies at the intersections of racial, economic, and climate equity. To achieve our vision, we focus on four strategic issue areas: Economic Equity Climate Equity Transformative Communities Leadership Academy The Greenlining Institute is deeply committed to justice and equity not just in the work we do in communities, but also within our organization. We actively work to create a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace that values lived experience, community wisdom, and racial equity. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experiences in historically marginalized communities. Please note: you are not required to list your academic institution if you prefer not to disclose that information. To learn more about our work and impact, please visit www.greenlining.org . ABOUT THE GREENLINING INSTITUTE The Greenlining Institute envisions a future where communities of color can build wealth, live in healthy places filled with economic opportunity and are ready to meet the challenges posed by climate change. With equity practice and systems change guiding us, we incubate and advocate for new ideas and build with diverse communities and partners to ensure that race is never a barrier to opportunity. ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM The Greenlining Institute’s Leadership Academy Fellowship is an 11-month training and experiential learning program for early career leaders seeking to gain hands-on public policy experience and invest in their personal and professional growth. Fellows are integrated into one of Greenlining's policy teams to develop, plan, and implement the organization's policy and advocacy efforts while they simultaneously work with the Leadership Academy to focus on the skills to support their personal growth and deepen their leadership perspective. We're looking for individuals who have a strong commitment to racial equity and social justice for communities of color and can demonstrate a sincere interest in building themselves into true race equity leaders. Our offices are based in Oakland, CA and participants will be expected to attend in person throughout the program. POLICY FOCUS AREA The Capacity Building Program at The Greenlining Institute strengthens the power and self-determination of historically redlined and under-resourced communities through partnership, investment, and policy co-development. Our work supports local leaders and organizations in building the relationships, skills, and resources needed to advance equitable, community-driven solutions that address the legacies of disinvestment and systemic racism. The Capacity Building team works in partnership with communities in Stockton, Oakland, East Los Angeles County, and San Diego, bridging Greenlining’s policy-level work with on-the-ground, place-based strategies. Our work spans multiple issue areas—from climate resilience and economic equity to collaborative governance and community ownership—and focuses on building lasting capacity and power within communities. As a Capacity Building Fellow, you will work in partnership with staff and local partners to strengthen community capacity, contribute to policy research and writing, and help connect on-the-ground work to statewide advocacy efforts such as Proposition 4, California's $10B Climate Bond, and other equity-focused initiatives.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age or older
If earned BA, at least 1 year of related experience required (cumulative OK). If no BA degree, at least 2 years of related cumulative experience required (including college internships)
Committed to champion racial equity and uplift communities of color
Able to participate in person
Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance
Willingness to approaches unfamiliar experiences with a growth mindset to push beyond their comfort zone with determination, heart, and deep commitment to their personal and professional journey
Strong verbal and written communication skills to complete writing and public speaking assignments
Team player who inspires collaboration, uplifts the work of others, and maintains balance and perspective with patience and a sense of humor
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively while demonstrating flexibility with others to set goals, resolve problems, pivot assignments, and make decisions that move the work forward
Ability to prioritize tasks, strong organizational skills, and an ability to work independently
Strong writing and computer literacy of PC-based Google Drive and MS Office Programs
Applicants must be able to provide documentation confirming authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Public Policy Development & Advocacy Deepens and applies race equity lens to analyze and develop policy solutions that remove barriers for historically redlined communities
Participates in policymaking activities to pass legislation or agency policies, including lobbying, giving public comment, or analyzing legislation.
Leads a substantive public policy assignment (research project, report development, landscape analysis, stakeholder relationship management, coalition management, etc.) to advance the team’s advocacy objectives for the year
Develops, drafts, and publishes public policy writings including but not limited to policy memos, policy reports, research project, data collection, policy briefs, business memos, public comments, blog posts
Delivers oral presentations for internal and external forums including Greenlining’s annual lobby day with Sacramento legislators/staffers, stakeholder convenings, Leadership Academy graduation
Facilitates meetings with community, government, and business leaders to drive our advocacy forward
Leadership Development Participates in all leadership development workshops to learn and apply a holistic (mind, body, spirit) and equitable approach to leadership
Learns unique leadership style, values, vision and purpose through self-reflection exercises, goal-setting activities and 1:1 coaching
Brings lived experience to cohort and organizational conversations to offer innovative ideas and diversity of perspective
Provides support to cohort members and engages in team-building activities to form strong working partnerships
Seeks mentorship from Greenlining and Academy staff and provide mentorship to undergraduate students in the Academy’s Casa Joaquin program
Professional Development Participates in all skills-based workshops to learn Greenlining’s approach to race equity public policy advocacy
Learns key public policy advocacy tactics to support work plan objectives
Engages with Leadership Academy alumni to expand professional network
Mentors a Summer Associate during their 10-week internship designing their work plan and coordinates weekly check-in meetings to ensure they are successful in the program
Develops capstone presentation to share during Leadership Academy graduation
Establishes thought leadership in their respective public policy area through management of social media channels, publishing public policy blogs, playing a substantive role in Greenlining’s annual summit