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.

As part of our just transition, we are investing in building climate resilient communities that APEN members imagine where everyone has what they need to thrive. The transition to a clean energy economy needs to include working class renters. In this effort, APEN engages in particular public programs to ensure renters have access to and leadership in clean energy programs for rooftop solar and home electrification. The impacts of climate change, wildfire smoke, daily local air pollution, high energy burdens, and unsafe housing, are unduly borne by renters in environmental justice communities. By investing structural and energy upgrades into existing rental housing, with renter protections and a power building focus, we can support our communities adapting to and thriving through the climate crisis.

POSITION SUMMARY

APEN seeks to hire a Healthy Homes Organizer to lead implementation of the newly launched Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Program on a one year basis, with opportunities to extend. The EBD Program will provide no-cost energy efficiency, weatherization, and electrification retrofits for working class renter homes in single family, multifamily, and mobile homes over the next five years. APEN is a community outreach lead for the Northern CA implementation team and looking for an organizer to recruit Community Based Organizations that can build a network of outreach organizers to ensure the program provides tangible benefits to the hardest to reach renters and environmental justice communities. This position will focus on building relationships with organizations and community members in EBD’s Initial Community Focus Areas of Oakland, Richmond, some extension into Contra Costa County and beyond. The Healthy Homes Organizer will also liaison with the implementation team and continue shaping program guidelines. The position will report to the Resilience Projects Director. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Organizational Outreach, Community Outreach, Coordination

• Act as APEN’s Co-Lead in implementation of the EBD program. Co-facilitate the  Community Outreach Working Group meetings with the Northern CA implementation team. 
• Lead recruitment of new CBO partners in geographies that overlap APEN’s organizing bases and the EBD Community Focus Areas.
• Directly support outreach and intake related activities within the Oakland and Richmond neighborhoods that APEN organizes and members live.
• Coordinate closely with APEN Richmond, Oakland, and State organizing teams to build EBD as a Healthy Homes concept into our resilience and housing campaigns. 
• Manage relationships with relevant program participants, families, and community. Outreach and follow ups through door knocking, phone banking, email, text, and social media. Support a relationship pipeline to the organizing teams for long-term connection to APEN’s existing bases. Attend member meetings as needed. 
• Provide support as needed on program administration tasks. 

Curriculum Development & Community Engagement 

• Develop outreach and intake training processes and material for training local community outreach CBO’s in how to perform program recruitment.
• Ensure APEN staff across teams are informed and participate as needed in the EBD program and integrate Healthy Homes concepts into broader organizational strategy. Attend staff meetings and staff advances as needed. 
• Facilitate workshops for residents and property owners eligible properties.
• Develop initial training material for CBOs, as well as ongoing updated training materials to troubleshoot and support CBO partners in reaching their outreach and enrollment goals.
• Support the creation of resource materials particular to cities, counties, and relevant geographies for tenants and property owners. Develop resource guides for local political considerations and programs that can be co-leveraged.

Network-building 

• Participate in California statewide coalition meetings to learn from and exchange policy and program information as needed. 
• Develop presentations and articles to increase knowledge and discussion of this healthy resilient homes approach to audiences such as peer organizations, state agencies, legislative bodies, and researchers. 
• Co-convene CBO Co-lead  only space for feedback and coordination with the program administrator. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Aligned in values of equity, social justice, and the Just Transition framework
• At least 3 years experience in policy advocacy or organizing, with focus on climate, energy, or housing preferred
• Working knowledge of California’s building decarbonization policy and programs
• Ability to connect and build relationships with allied organizations from diverse sectors and backgrounds 
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to take initiative and work effectively independently and collaboratively
• Proficient in GoogleSuite and Microsoft Office 
• Experience working with grassroots community members
• Experience with developing educational materials, curriculum development, and training.
• Ability to resolve conflict through restorative practices.
• Experience building community partnerships and working in coalitions.
• Strong attention to detail and experience with contract compliance preferred

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with an hourly rate range of $35.92 to $45.77 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 expected to be hybrid, with staff working between the Oakland and Richmond offices two days a week and attending in-person meetings and events as needed. 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.  

We provide reasonable accommodations for the application, interview, or any other aspect of the program manager selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please email hiring@apen4ej.org to request an accommodation.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications are due electronically by clicking Apply Now. Position open until filled, preference given to application submitted before  July 31, 2025.

The application must include: 

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing sample, preferably of outreach materials developed

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.