The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) is hiring a Deputy Program Director for its Community Investment Recovery Center (CIRC).

About Us

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families harmed by pollution and vulnerable to climate change through research, education, community and student engagement for policy change, and health and safety training for environmental careers.

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Community Investment & Recovery Center (CIRC)

Drawing on more than 30 years of advancing environmental justice through its Communiversity Modeland recent Accelerating Justice40 project, DSCEJ has launched a Thriving Communities TechnicalAssistance Center (TCTAC) to build the capacity of organizations and communities in EPA Regions 4& 6 to secure federal infrastructure funding. Over the course of five years, the Community InvestmentRecovery Center (CIRC) will engage 250 organizations and tribal communities to apply for federal grants, totaling $50-100 million. Learn more at dscej.org/circ.

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Position Summary

Reporting to DSCEJ’s Executive Director, the CIRC Deputy Program Director works cross-functionally with other CIRC senior leaders and DSCEJ Leadership and leads a team that includes a director, managers, and navigators to provide strategic support to community-based organizations (CBOs) inthe CIRC program.

The CIRC Deputy Program Director is responsible for developing and implementing strategies for managing relationships with government entities to advance the CIRC program. This role entails tracking and analyzing federal initiatives related to environmental justice, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate resilience, as well as managing interactions with governmental sponsors ofTCTAC. This role also oversees grant reports and maintaining national and regional relationships withTCTAC grantees, particularly in EPA Regions 4 and 6 and other key partners. This is a full time, remote position with a fixed schedule.

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Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide leadership, decision-making, and coordination on programmatic issues, including completing TCTAC grant deliverables and overseeing the effective implementation of the CIRC program.
• Manage the CIRC program, including partnerships and budgets, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Chair strategy meetings focused on information-sharing, team-building, and tracking the progress of CIRC work streams.
• Directly supervise the CIRC Network Director and project consultants.
• Provide project supervision to the Training Institute Director and Governmental & ExternalAffairs Manager.
• Conduct regular staff evaluations, setting individualized performance objectives, and ensuring adherence to HR policies and procedures.
• Build strong working relationships with CIRC senior leaders and the broader DSCEJ team.

External Communications & Partnership Development

• Serve as a spokesperson for the CIRC program to external audiences.
• Elevate key communications and storytelling opportunities to the DSCEJ communications team.
• Develop and implement a plan to effectively manage positive relationships with governmental entities, serving as the primary point of contact for the EPA Grant Office and governmental offices sponsoring CIRC.
• Participate in recurring meetings with EPA program officers to ensure ongoing alignment and communication.
• Cultivate relationships with TCTAC grantees at both national and regional levels.

Program & Project Management

• Ensure CIRC programming is aligned with TCTAC deliverables, including program planning, project design, and communications.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the CIRC Roadmap, particularly the implementation progress of each component.
• Provide oversight on the hiring process for FTEs and contractors to ensure overall programmatic alignment and success.
• Collaborate with the Network Director and Training Institute Director to ensure that CBO senrolled in CIRC make progress in the program through successful servicing.
• Ensure adherence to internal schedules for delivering concept notes, grant reports, and program inputs in the required format and quality.

Monitoring, Evaluation, & Reporting

• Support DSCEJ’s Director of Evaluation in the execution of CIRC’s monitoring & evaluation strategy, ensuring data and feedback are used to guide all stages of the project life cycle.
• Prepare and deliver reports on CIRC’s progress, activities, and programmatic needs.
• Ensure program teams submit timely, high-quality reports to the grants team in accordance with DSCEJ and grant guidelines.
• Track and analyze federal programs and developments that may impact CIRC initiatives.

Strategic Planning

• Ensure programmatic alignment with broader DSCEJ and CIRC goals, implementing action plans as needed.
• Provide DSCEJ’s Executive Director and leadership team with accurate updates on program developments, opportunities, and recommendations for course correction.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop program strategies and objectives that align with the organization's mission and vision.

Note: This job description is intended to be generic and describe the job's essential functions. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The primary duties, functions, obligations, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

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Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Nonprofit Management,Administrative Science, or equivalent (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 7-10 years experience in governmental affairs, public policy, or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years experience working in collaboration with an underserved community, governmental program, social justice campaign, or public policy initiative involving environmental justice.
• Demonstrated experience in program design and monitoring; experience developing and monitoring budgets, work plans, and other program management tools.
• Proven track record of successfully managing relationships with governmental entities, preferably at the federal level.
• Strong understanding of environmental policies and regulations, particularly those related to energy and environmental protection.
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff, with strong leadership and management abilities.
• Fluency in English, proficiency in a second language is a plus.● Valid state-issued driver’s license.

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Skills & Competencies

• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative teams in a multi-ethnic context that requirescultural sensitivity.
• Ability to think strategically and to prioritize and meet goals promptly while working in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated coordination, networking, and relationship-building skills with key partners, including government agencies, national and local organizations.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to monitor and interpret governmental developments accurately.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Strong computer skills and competency.
• Professional and strong personal ethics.

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Physical Requirements & Work Environment