Energy and Environmental Services Equity Specialist

About the Opportunity 

Start Date: June 1st, 2026

Length of Fellowship: 10 months

Location Type: Hybrid

Ready to make an impact through a hands-on role advancing energy equity and sustainability in Orange County? As an Energy and Environmental Services Equity Specialist in the Climate Corps Fellowship program, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to impactful sustainability initiatives with Community Action Partnership of Orange County. This is a hybrid position with the expectation of onsite work 4 days per week.

In this role, you’ll assist the Energy and Environmental Services (EES) Department in completing Phase II of the Health Equity Zones Project, an initiative designed to drive systemic change within specific Orange County communities. You will identify pollution sources and social inequities surrounding CAP OC’s Family Resource Centers and Garden Grove offices, contextualize the historical urban development behind these disparities, and investigate how Healthy Home Modification programs impact participant health and energy burdens.

Throughout the fellowship, you will build a historical analysis of Orange County, collaborate with cross-functional partners to conduct surveys, and work alongside the Environmental Outreach Specialist to finalize Phase II reports. You will also analyze air monitor data, develop GIS mapping skills to visualize survey findings, and gain hands-on experience by shadowing Green Workforce Development projects, including weatherization and heat pump installations.

This role offers the chance to advance CAP OC’s sustainability and equity goals, gain practical experience, grow your professional network, and leave with measurable achievements in environmental and energy equity.

About Our Partner: Community Action Partnership of Orange County

Since 1965, Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) has worked tirelessly to address the root causes of poverty and advocate for change through systemic reforms, social justice, and racial equity. In this mission, it has become apparent that social, racial, economic and structural issues are not isolated from one another. Moreover, it has become exceedingly clear that above all, the living environment dictates quality of life outcomes.

The Energy and Environmental Services Department provides utility assistance and Healthy Home Modification programs to Orange County residents, improving participants' financial health and home health. The department works deeply with the communities it serves, building a broader understanding of how housing conditions can affect human and financial health. Working in the Healthy Home space provides our agency with the opportunity to meaningfully impact Orange County residents battling with high utility bills, housing-related ailments, and improve housing that can support generations to come.

Partner-Provided Benefits (in addition to Climate Corps Benefits):

• Membership to AWWEE or other professional associations.
• Ability to attend conferences related to sustainability, waste management, climate change, or other fellow interests.

What You’ll Do

• Collaborate with the Environmental Outreach Specialist to revise and finalize current HEZ drafts.
• Present historical analysis to participants at three FRCs.
• Writing blogs on Health Equity in Orange County.
• Support the Environmental Outreach Specialist on Green Work Force Development projects.
• Present environmental understanding survey data to Senior Leadership.
• Create a map utilizing ArcGIS to present survey findings.
• Analyze air monitoring data to understand trends and/or other patterns.

What We’re Looking For

• Comfortable working with a culturally diverse population.
• Experience with community outreach and advocacy.
• Strong working knowledge of climate change and environmental justice issues.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; able to adapt communication style to various audiences.
• Proven ability to deliver presentations in person and virtually to individuals, within small groups, and at large formal gatherings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team, exercising considerable judgment.
• Possess exceptional time management skills, able to work efficiently within time constraints.
• Planning and organizational techniques to develop and implement action plans.
• A valid driver's license and current auto insurance are highly encouraged.
• Strong research skills, consideration for record-keeping principles and methods, and proficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• The ability to work onsite on a hybrid basis [4 days per week]. This position requires the employee to be physically located within commuting distance of the site location at the time of hire. Only candidates currently residing within commuting distance of the site address will be considered.
• Commitment to a fair workplace that honors the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals.
• Authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship (SEI is unable to sponsor visas).
• May require occasional moving about to accomplish tasks, moving from one worksite to another, or adjusting or moving objects under 25-50 pounds in all directions.
• Must be 18 years or older to apply.

Nice-to-haves

• Fluency in Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Farsi, or Korean.
• Familiarity with Adobe programs and video editing software.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS online.
• Familiarity with CalEnviroScreen 3.0 or other research-related tools.

We encourage everyone interested in this position to apply, even if you don’t meet every qualification. We value all perspectives and believe that a unique background can bring significant strengths to this role, even if some qualifications are not fully met.

What We Provide

• A fixed, monthly stipend of $3450.
• $1000 end-of-program financial award.​
• Health care coverage with 100% of health care insurance premiums covered by SEI.
• Fellows receive 10 personal days for a standard 10-month fellowship (prorated for longer terms), which may be used for vacation or sick time. Additionally, Fellows follow their partner site's holiday schedule to observe the same holidays as their team. 
• Comprehensive career-readiness training, including interview prep, salary negotiation, and resume building.
• Panels, workshops, and networking with climate resilience industry professionals.
• Professional networking and learning opportunities.
• The University of California Climate Stewards Certification equips you to lead community and ecosystem resilience initiatives.

Climate Corps Fellowships are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as temporary, educational internships that emphasize training and career development, and thus no employment relationship exists, nor compensation is required. However, while not considered traditional employment, Fellows receive a living stipend and professional development support throughout the program.

Recruiting Timeline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submissions, as we may stop accepting new applications once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is identified.