EJ Community Advocate

COPAL, Communities Organizing Latine Power and Action, is a member-based organization established in 2018 to improve the quality of life of Latine families. Grounded in the Principles of Jemez, COPAL is committed to continue building meaningful relationships that transcend both identity and geographical boundaries. COPAL envisions a Minnesota where everyone lives with dignity and respect.

Our greatest asset is the dedication and commitment of our board, staff, members, and interns, as well as our valued volunteers, partners, coalition members, and leaders of the Latine community. With a clear mission and vision of a better future for all, we can mobilize people to bring about transformation and lead social, political, and economic change.

$26.00 - $28.00 per hour depending on qualifications and level of experience

• Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)
• COPAL sponsors a retirement plan with 6% employer contribution after 90 days of service and immediate vesting

Because COPAL is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners with St. Mary’s University, COPAL employees and their spouses are also eligible for the following benefits y’s University:

• Discounted tuition for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs
• Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

This is a temporary, full-time position that will work fully in-person. This position will require some travel throughout Minnesota and availability on occasional evenings and weekends as required by community meetings, public hearings, legislative activities, and other responsibilities.

COPAL is hiring a EJ Community Advocate to serve as a bridge between community members and the legislative, regulatory, and public decision-making processes that shape environmental conditions in Minnesota. The position supports meaningful community participation in Environmental Justice (EJ) advocacy while advancing key departmental priorities, including Just Energy Transition, Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Health, and Green Jobs & Workforce Justice.

• Build trusted relationships with Latine, immigrant, BIPOC, and historically underserved communities and support meaningful participation in environmental decision-making processes.
• Build community members’ capacity to navigate and meaningfully participate in advocacy, legislative, and regulatory processes, including providing testimony, submitting public comments, and communicating their lived experiences and priorities to decision-makers.
• Participate in relevant legislative, regulatory, agency, coalition, and public engagement processes in coordination with the Environmental Justice Policy Advocate.
• Translate complex environmental policy, regulatory, scientific, and technical information into accessible and culturally relevant information for community audiences.
• Facilitate community conversations, listening sessions, advocacy workshops, and educational activities related to COPAL’s Environmental Justice priorities.
• Support community participation in key environmental justice priorities, including Just Energy Transition, Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Health, climate resilience, and other emerging environmental issues.
• Lead or coordinate assigned Green Jobs & Workforce Justice initiatives, connecting community members with workforce training, career pathways, educational opportunities, and relevant resources.
• Serve as a liaison among community members, COPAL, public agencies, coalition partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen meaningful community participation and ensure advocacy efforts remain informed by community priorities and lived experiences.
• Track community participation,…