San Rafael, CA –August 1, 2024, The City of San Rafael is thrilled to announce the award of $297.960 from the Marin Community Foundation (MCF) to establish a two-year position for a Climate Justice and Engagement Manager (CJEM). This two-year position will coordinate various community projects focusing on the Canal Neighborhood. The position aims to enhance community engagement, equity, resilience, and sustainability across all initiatives, underscoring the City’s commitment to fostering an equitable and sustainable community for all residents.
The CJEM will help oversee various projects in and around the Canal Neighborhood, including utility and infrastructure upgrades, the Pickleweed Park Improvement Project, community planning and transportation initiatives, a community-led sea level rise study, a broadband project, and more. By prioritizing community engagement, equity, resilience, and sustainability, the CJEM will ensure these projects are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all residents, especially those from historically marginalized communities.
In addition, the CJEM will integrate climate mitigation, adaptation, and future-proofing strategies into project planning and implementation in light of increasing climate challenges such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. This proactive approach will support the development of a more resilient and sustainable community capable of withstanding future shocks and stresses.
The CJEM will also play a key role in supporting local community-based organizations with capacity building. In this capacity, the CJEM will serve as a liaison between the City, these organizations, community members, and consultants. This collaborative approach is designed to maximize resources and ensure projects align with community priorities, reflecting the emphasis on partnerships in MCF’s Climate Justice initiative.
The new role will be housed within the Sustainability Division of the City Manager’s office, streamlining communication and decision-making processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. By coordinating efforts across departments and collaborating with outside agencies and prioritizing the needs of our diverse communities, the City can create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all residents.
The City anticipates hiring the Climate Justice Engagement Manager by the Fall of 2024.
For more information, please contact Cory Bytof at sustainability@cityofsanrafael.org or Vikki Garrod at vgarrod@marincf.org.