ABOUT THE ROGER ARLINER YOUNG DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP

Inspired by efforts to increase racial diversity in conservation and clean energy, the Roger Arliner Young (RAY) Diversity Fellowship Program aims to increase and facilitate environmentally-related career pathways for emerging leaders of color. The RAY Fellowship Program is a paid fellowship designed to equip recent college graduates with the tools, experiences, support, and community they need to become leaders in the conservation and clean energy sectors—one that, in our visions of the future, fully represents, includes, and is led by the diverse communities, perspectives, and experiences of the United States.

ABOUT SONOMA WATER

The mission of Sonoma Water is to effectively manage the water resources in our care for the benefit of people and the environment through resource and environmental stewardship, technical innovation, and responsible fiscal management. We are proud to provide an array of services including, but not limited to, naturally filtered drinking water, flood protection services, distribution of recycled water, recreational opportunities and wastewater treatment. With more than two hundred dedicated professionals who work for Sonoma Water in a variety of fields ranging from engineering to biology, we strive to look forward, beyond today’s issues, to anticipate ways to advance our mission.

The Water and Energy Education Program at Sonoma Water uses a comprehensive approach to help students and educators learn about the vital role of water and energy in our communities. Our programs are FREE and aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. We teach inquiry-based, exploratory science. We provide classroom visits, field trips, contests, grants, teacher workshops, and school supplies.

We are a team of about a dozen educators who are aligned around the following values:

Public Service. We strive to increase awareness of the role public utilities have in creating and maintaining systems that provide essential services like water and electricity, while protecting and conserving natural resources for the public good and future generations.

Stewardship. We inspire teachers and students to get involved in solutions to problems in their community with respect to the environment and human health.

Science Literacy. We connect learners to natural phenomena and science around them to inspire curiosity, engage in thoughtful, evidence-supported discussion, and promote thoughtful science-based decision making.

Equity. We serve the diverse needs of all students in our programs. We hold justice, equity, and anti-oppression as guiding principles in our work.

Emotional Learning. Our programs and teaching practices support student’s social and emotional development.

Collaboration. We show up for each other and bring our authentic selves to work toward common goals with equal parts humility, mutual respect, and ambition.

Continuous Improvement. We create a culture of self-reflection, professional development, and establish channels for professional and peer feedback.

Professionalism. We present ourselves in the workplace, classroom, and in the field with professional communication skills, attire, and attitudes.

POSITION SUMMARY

Sonoma Water is seeking an educator to join the Water and Energy Educator Program in order to deliver impactful and inspiring environmental content to kindergarten through high school students. Water and Energy Educators are responsible for leading  classroom lessons, virtual lessons, and outdoor field trips on a range of environmental topics including water conservation, climate change, the Russian River watershed, and energy efficiency. Additionally, Water and Energy Educators support program and curriculum development, outreach and public education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. A love for working with youth, an appreciation of environmental stewardship, and an excitement for working as part of a team are qualities shared by the Water and Energy Educators.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach K-12 grade students in classrooms, virtual settings, and outdoor field study sites
• Assist with the development and implementation of in-person and virtual education programs focused on water conservation, climate change, watershed awareness, fisheries, water quality, wastewater treatment, storm drain pollution, and energy efficiency
• Support creek clean-up activities with students and the public
• Perform light maintenance on facilities and interpretive displays
• Participate in the compilation of program and project files, update databases, and manage contact lists
• Assist with outreach events and materials
• Participate in professional development opportunities on topics including traditional ecological knowledge, next generation science standards, cultural competency, etc.

ADDITIONAL FELLOWSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to the responsibilities at the host institution outlined above, RAY Fellows will spend, on average, 2-4 hours per week (5-10% of work time) on the following:

• Actively communicating and building community with their RAY Fellow cohort and previous RAY Fellows.
• Attending monthly check-ins calls (including 1-on-1 check-ins with RAY program staff and group calls with their RAY Fellow cohort).
• Meeting regularly with mentors both inside and outside the host institution.
• Attending monthly professional development webinars, trainings, and other opportunities to build knowledge and skills.
• Developing a Personal Leadership Plan (PLP) in their 2nd year with the support of supervisor(s), mentors, RAY program staff, and their RAY Fellow cohort. The PLP will serve as a tool for self-reflection, planning, and assessing progress towards professional, personal, and leadership goals.
• Preparing and leading an hour-long end-of-fellowship webinar highlighting their Fellowship experience.

RAY Fellows will also attend:

• A 3-day Orientation Retreat in August 2022.
• A 3-day Mid-Fellowship Leadership Retreat in September 2023.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Eligible RAY Fellow applicants will:

• Come from a racial/ethnic background underrepresented in conservation and clean energy and demonstrate a commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Be no more than 1 year out of college and have a Bachelor's Degree by July 2022 (we are not considering individuals with graduate degrees at this time).
• Have not had a full-time job in conservation or clean energy.
• Have the ability to work in the United States and commit to the entire fellowship.

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• A college degree by the time of employment.
• An interest in the field of conservation, clean energy, and/or water.
• Demonstrated intellect and leadership.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• An eagerness to learn.
• Comfortable with providing environmental and natural resource education to school-age children and the public.
• Team player who can work independently at schools and outdoor locations.
• Bilingual or cultural competency skills are preferred.

TERM / LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT

This is a two-year, full-time fellowship (one year with a one year renewal) starting on or after July 15, 2022.

COMPENSATION

The Fellowship is compensated with a benefits package that includes health care (with dental and vision coverage) as well as training and professional development opportunities.

Salary

• $24.83 -$30.18 Hourly
• $51,823.19 - $62,989.28 Annually

HOW TO APPLY/APPLICATION

To apply for the RAY Fellowship Program, applicants must:

1. Complete the online application survey on the RAY Fellowship Program website: https://rayfellowship.org/apply 
2. Follow the instructions on the linked application webpage to submit a resume or curriculum vitae, one essay response, one visioning response, one short answer response, and a letter of support.

Applications must be submitted to the RAY Fellowship Program no later than March 27, 2022. Transcripts and additional writing samples are not required. If you have questions please see our FAQ page, attend an informational webinar or watch a recording, and any further questions about the application process can be submitted to the RAY Program Coordinator, Maria Johnson, via email at mariaj@elpnet.org.

Sonoma Water is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Sonoma Water is continually seeking to diversify its staff, particularly to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.