The New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering New Yorkers to be effective advocates for the environment. In partnership with Chispa, a national program of the League of Conservation Voters focused on developing strong environmental advocates in Latino communities, NYLCVEF has been leading the Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign in New York. Active in nine other states, the campaign’s original goal was to advocate for states to invest funds received from the Volkswagen Settlement (VW) in electric school buses.

In 2018, NYLCVEF launched its Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign and collected thousands of signatures asking the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to prioritize New York’s $127.7 million from the VW settlement for electric school buses, particularly in environmental justice communities that have suffered disproportionately from air pollution. We built partnerships with more than 10 local and regional groups to raise awareness about the public health and climate impacts of diesel pollution. Air pollution from diesel buses, especially school buses, which are typically older than most buses and carry our most precious cargo, emit more than regular gasoline vehicles and pose a significant threat to our children’s health and future.

In September 2018, DEC and Governor Cuomo committed to allocating 40% ($52.4 million) of the VW Settlement toward cleaning up buses and prioritizing environmental justice communities. While a hopeful commitment, our work is not over. The second phase of our campaign will work to ensure school buses in particular get their fair share, that the funds are distributed equitably, and that school leaders have the resources to take advantage of these funds.

Fellowship Description:

The Clean Bus Fellow will assist the Director of Programs and the NYC Program Director with the second phase of our Clean Buses for Healthy Niños Campaign, including developing campaign materials, conducting outreach to new and potential partners, and helping to promote the benefits of electric school buses. In particular the Fellow will assist with the following phase two projects:

• Identify and build relationships with community organizations, labor unions, health groups, schools, faith-based groups, and others in 6-8 communities around the state that are interested in bringing electric school buses to their districts.
• Work with partners to develop a resource guide for school districts to use when evaluating the feasibility of and advocating for electric school bus pilot programs.
• Gather stories and cultivate clean bus advocates, community leaders, and others through phone calls, meetings, presentations, events, and other outreach methods.
• Represent NYLCVEF at community events and meetings with decision-makers and community leaders, as needed.
• Draft educational and outreach materials, website and social media content.

Responsibilities:

The Fellow will report to the Director of Programs and is responsible for the following duties:

Program Coordination (20%):

• Work with and support NYLCVEF’s NYC Program Director and Director of Programs to implement and track program goals, including tracking our outreach efforts and updating the campaign timeline.
• Identify opportunities to build new relationships and promote the campaign with a broader network.
• Draft toolkits, outreach materials, letters, and website content relevant to the campaign.

Organizing and Outreach (60%):

• Assist with identifying and cultivating partner groups in and outside of NYC, including Long Island, Westchester, Western NY, and other regions.
• Help develop outreach and civic engagement materials, including a Clean Bus Guide and a ladder of engagement program to promote electric school bus pilot programs and to mobilize supporters.
• Represent NYLCVEF at community events.
• Assist the NYC Program Director with organizing meetings with grass-tops leaders, including local and state decision-makers.

General Administration (20%):

• Participate in regular team meetings to strategize and track progress.
• Work with Director of Programs to track deliverables, budget, and outreach goals for grant reporting.
• Maintain efficient and easily accessible program files.
• Schedule phone and in-person meetings between NYLCVEF and partner groups.
• Take minutes during meetings and follow-up as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Current Master’s students preferred.
• Some relevant experience in grassroots community organizing, outreach, or communications.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in sustainability, environmental justice, public health, or transportation issues, as well as advancing the health outcomes of underserved communities, including children in New York State.
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills, organized, a good listener, and an ability to speak respectfully with diverse communities,
• Skilled in Google Suite and Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, and attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the city and occasionally the state.

This is a part-time, temporary position from August 2019-May 2020 with the possibility of extending a second term. A bi-weekly stipend will be provided and travel expenses reimbursed. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@nylcv.org.