Community Engagement Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Community Engagement Fellow at Fresno Metro Ministry

Location: Fresno, California

Number of Positions Available: 4

Time Commitment: September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026. Fellows commit to a 40-hour work week, typically Monday - Saturday, approximately 8am - 6pm, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 175+ of these hours are dedicated to professional development. Onsite 5 days per week.

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Program, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 15, 2025 - Aug 14, 2026 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Program.

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About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2025-26 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—but with over 175 dedicated hours for professional development and training while receiving hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion and edible food recovery.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July  31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025.

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Program Benefits

Fresno Metro Ministry offers the opportunity to be part of a collaborative team-centered program with hands-on learning experiences in building and managing gardens. Gain personalized professional development, mentorship, and access to a vast network of over 400 emerging climate leaders and 100+ leading organizations across California. Other benefits include:

• Receive up to $33,600 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Earn up to $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 175+ hours of training and professional development
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term*
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance* (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

Step into the heart of climate action with Fresno Metro Ministry! As a Fellow, you'll dive into our vibrant community to tackle pollution, food insecurity, and climate change head-on. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and join us in nurturing community gardens, planting trees, and building school green spaces. Through our innovative food recovery and composting programs, you'll rescue edible food and divert organic waste from landfills, turning it into resources for our gardens. Fellows will engage community members to encourage shifts in their food-related behaviors, contributing to the transformation of their environments and food system through community gardens, urban farming initiatives, educational programming, food recovery, and redistribution. Engage over 600 volunteers, divert thousands of pounds of food waste and woody biomass, and educate over 200 students on climate action. With us, you're not just making a difference – you're cultivating a greener, healthier future for Fresno. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Expand and strengthen volunteer base for edible food recovery, organic waste diversion, and urban greening programs
• Coordinate gleaning events, community composting initiatives, and school garden construction, and cultivate native trees and native plants
• Deliver engaging educational programming on climate action at local elementary schools
• Implement community composting initiatives to divert food waste and woody biomass effectively
• Recover and redistribute edible food from local orchards through our gleaning program
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 15, 2025
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 15, 2025
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Experience in Community Outreach, Composting, Data/Quantitative Analysis, Edible Food Recovery, Engaging with K-12 students, Environmental Education, Environmental Justice/Equity, Event Coordination & Planning, GIS / Mapping, Google Suite, Graphic Design, Habitat Restoration, Landscape Management, Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, Native Plant Management, Project Management, Public Speaking/Facilitation, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Tree Planting/Care, Volunteer Management & Engagement, Ability to lift up to 30 lbs in Diverse Outdoor Conditions (rain, wind, heat, steep or uneven terrain), Access to a reliable vehicle, and Must possess a valid driver's license. Fluency in Hmong or Spanish is a plus. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About Fresno Metro Ministry

Fresno Metro Ministry is a distinguished multicultural and multi-faith community organization dedicated to "Learning, Connecting, and Engaging to achieve healthy people and healthy places." With more than 50 years of experience in community action, we actively collaborate with residents to advocate for meaningful changes within the community, institutional systems, and policies. Our organization prioritizes enhancing access to nutritious food, improving environmental quality, and promoting overall health and economic opportunities in underserved communities throughout Fresno. More info: fresnometmin.org

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025. Interviews will take place May - August, with all positions filled by September 2025. This is a competitive program and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applications are for the California Climate Action Corps Program in general, but applicants can select up to 5 preferred organizations and positions within the application.

*Program structure, fellow benefits, and final participation are subject to approved grant award(s).