EJ Community Advocate

COPAL MN • Minneapolis, MN

13d • $26 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

COPAL is hiring a EJ Community Advocate to serve as a bridge between community members and the legislative, regulatory, and public decision-making processes that shape environmental conditions in Minnesota. The position supports meaningful community participation in Environmental Justice (EJ) advocacy while advancing key departmental priorities, including Just Energy Transition, Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Health, and Green Jobs & Workforce Justice.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public policy, political science, sociology, community development, social justice, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in community advocacy, public engagement, environmental justice, civic participation, policy-related community work, or a related field.
• Being bilingual in Spanish and English is required.
• A strong commitment to environmental justice, social equity, community voice, and meaningful public participation.
• The ability to understand environmental policy, regulatory, scientific, or technical information and communicate it clearly and accessibly to community audiences.
• Strong relationship-building, facilitation, interpersonal communication, and community engagement skills.
• The ability to support community members in developing and communicating their own perspectives and priorities within advocacy and decision-making spaces.
• An understanding of culturally responsive and language-accessible community engagement.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate documentation, and contribute to reporting and evaluation.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with community members, policy staff, public agencies, coalition partners, educational institutions, workforce organizations, and other stakeholders.
• The ability to travel throughout Minnesota and work occasional evenings and weekends as required by community meetings, public hearings, legislative activities, and other responsibilities.
• A valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to meet COPAL’s driving record requirements. Please note that if the license was not issued in the state of Minnesota, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident in which to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working with Latine, immigrant, BIPOC, or historically underserved communities is strongly preferred.
• Previous experience with or demonstrated skills in engaging with legislative, regulatory, governmental, coalition, or public decision-making processes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with Latine, immigrant, BIPOC, and historically underserved communities and support meaningful participation in environmental decision-making processes.
• Build community members’ capacity to navigate and meaningfully participate in advocacy, legislative, and regulatory processes, including providing testimony, submitting public comments, and communicating their lived experiences and priorities to decision-makers.
• Participate in relevant legislative, regulatory, agency, coalition, and public engagement processes in coordination with the Environmental Justice Policy Advocate.
• Translate complex environmental policy, regulatory, scientific, and technical information into accessible and culturally relevant information for community audiences.
• Facilitate community conversations, listening sessions, advocacy workshops, and educational activities related to COPAL’s Environmental Justice priorities.
• Support community participation in key environmental justice priorities, including Just Energy Transition, Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Health, climate resilience, and other emerging environmental issues.
• Lead or coordinate assigned Green Jobs & Workforce Justice initiatives, connecting community members with workforce training, career pathways, educational opportunities, and relevant resources.
• Serve as a liaison among community members, COPAL, public agencies, coalition partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen meaningful community participation and ensure advocacy efforts remain informed by community priorities and lived experiences.
• Track community participation, advocacy activities, outcomes, and qualitative impact information needed for departmental planning, evaluation, grants, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Environmental Justice team and other COPAL departments to advance shared departmental and organizational priorities.

Benefits

• Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)
• COPAL sponsors a retirement plan with 6% employer contribution after 90 days of service and immediate vesting
• Discounted tuition for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level