The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) is an environmental justice organization with deep roots in California’s Asian immigrant and refugee communities. Since 1993, APEN has built a membership base of Laotian refugees in Richmond and Chinese immigrants in Oakland, and more recently, Asian Americans in South Bay LA. Together, we have fought and won campaigns to make our communities healthier and just places where all people have the resources we need to live full, dignified lives. We are growing our local roots and building power to make decisions at the state level that have real local impact. By building an organized movement, we’re leading a transition away from an extractive economy based on profit and pollution and toward local, healthy, and life-sustaining economies that benefit everyone.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The primary role of the Co-Director is to build a collective vision of APEN’s work and provide leadership, motivation and support to staff and board members to achieve this vision. The Co-Director provides direction in developing and fulfilling the organization’s goals and objectives. The Co-Director also represents the organization with key external players and plays an active role in developing and maintaining external relations with others such as funders, and organizations and agencies at the local, state, national and international levels necessary to meet APEN’s mission and goals. This position works closely with APEN’s other Co-Director. 

As APEN has grown to a staff of 40+ people working from four different regions (Los Angeles, Oakland, Richmond, and statewide), the Co-Director plays an important role in setting and creating organizational culture, helping connect the distinct parts of APEN into a cohesive whole, and telling the story of APEN’s past, present, and future.  

The ideal candidate would have at least 8 years of organizing experience in the environmental justice movement, have a proven track record of fundraising success with both institutional funders and individual donors, and strong coalition-building experience. As a leader, this person would have a high degree of emotional intelligence, excellent communication skills, and be comfortable with both giving and receiving feedback. Their leadership skills would be evident in their comfort with leading through change and uncertainty. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

FUND DEVELOPMENT & PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS (25%)

• Leads philanthropic partnerships and maintains donor relations, working with the Development Director to lead and manage APEN’s diversified fund development plan. 

 COALITION BUILDING & PARTNERSHIPS (25%)

• Develops and maintains strong external relations with partner organizations, allies, supporters, and members. 
•  Leads participation in key movement alliances and coalitions to align broader movements and advance APEN’s mission and long-term strategies. 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT (20%)

• Oversees the development, innovation, and evaluation of political, programmatic, and power-building strategies
• Leads the development of organizational management and structures to best serve APEN’s programmatic strategies

OTHER KEY ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (30%)

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE & DEVELOPMENT (10%)

• Leads and supports the Management Team to ensure a healthy and productive organizational team culture and organizational development. 

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT & MANAGEMENT (5%)

• Ensures sound fiscal operations of the organization and that financial goals and objectives are achieved. 

DIRECTOR SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT (5%) 

• Leads, supports, and coordinates director level staff to meet organizational strategy and goals.

COMMUNICATIONS (5%)

• Oversees the development of the organizational narrative and communications strategy. 
• Media spokesperson in coordination with Communications Director 

BOARD DEVELOPMENT & GOVERNANCE (5%)

• Supports the Board of Directors to engage with APEN staff and members and to meet the governance needs of the organization. 

Salary And Benefits

Competitive salary range of $117,000 to $132,000, commensurate with experience. APEN also offers its staff a generous benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage for employee and spouse/dependents
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Dependent Care and Health Care Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
• Vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays
• Fully paid 2 week winter holiday and 1 week summer break
• 401k with 5% employer match
• Professional development
• Commuter benefits
• Sabbatical opportunity
• APEN is also a family-friendly employer

Accessibility And Working Conditions

This position will require applicants to work on a computer daily for long periods of time, and collaborate with staff through Zoom, email, and other digital platforms. APEN will provide a computer and other equipment needed to fulfill basic job responsibilities.

This position is based in the Bay Area, with hybrid remote/in-office expectations. Strong candidates based in Southern California may be considered.

In addition, this position will also follow APEN’s COVID safety policies and protocols regarding in-person work. Masks are required to be worn in APEN offices and indoor events, with the exception of eating and drinking. All employees also are required to be vaccinated as part of our safety policy or be subject to weekly testing. APEN will continue to closely monitor local and state health officials guidance around COVID and any additional guidelines around safety for people to return to offices and gather in-person as needed. 

This position may occasionally require work during irregular hours including on nights or weekends, and will require some travel between our APEN offices. This position will not require applicants to carry or move heavy equipment or regularly ascend or descend a ladder.  This position will not require working in hazardous or unusual conditions such as outdoors in inclement weather.  

Application Process

Applications are due electronically by clicking the apply now button found at apen4ej.org/jobs

The application must include: 

• Resume
• Cover letter describing interest in the position and qualifications

Incomplete Applications will not be accepted.

APEN is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, caste, or any other characteristic protected by law. APEN conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. Queer, transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming, disabled, black and indigenous people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.