The starting salary range for this position is $22.00 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

The Tijuana River is a vital part of our community, but pollution poses a significant health risk to residents in the South Bay. We are looking for a Community Outreach Specialist to join our team and help us build a healthier future for our neighborhoods. This position is under the direction of the principal investigator and the project manager.

You will be a key player in our project, connecting directly with South Bay residents to raise awareness and increase participation in our Healthy Water, Healthy Air survey. The ideal candidate will be deeply familiar with the community, skilled in social media, and passionate about public health and environmental justice.

The ideal candidate will:

• Ability to work flexible schedule of 16 hours per week, which may include attending community events during evenings or weekends
• Familiar with the communities of the South Bay (e.g., Imperial Beach, National City, Coronado, Chula Vista, San Ysidro)
• Proven experience in community recruitment or grassroots outreach.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and posting content on social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok)
• A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation to conduct outreach in South Bay communities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to interact effectively with diverse community members, colleagues, and project leadership
• Strong ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks to meet project timelines.
• Strong ability in all Microsoft Office programs
• Detail-oriented with good organizational skills

The Research Assistant-Outreach will be responsible for the following duties:

Community Engagement and Outreach (70%)

• Lead on-the-ground outreach efforts, including distributing fliers, door hangers, and yard signs to promote the survey in the South Bay communities
• Identify and attend local community events (e.g., farmers’ markets, festivals, community meetings) to recruit new survey participants through survey promotions
• Develop and implement creative outreach strategies to increase survey participation and raise awareness about our work

Social Media & Communications (25%)

• Craft engaging content and manager posts on key social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok
• Use social media to amplify our project’s mission and connect with new audiences

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Attend project meetings as appropriate

MINIMUM EDUCATION

• Completion of sufficient upper division coursework
  

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• OR -Equivalent of two years full time progressively responsible related experience in lieu of coursework.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish
• Experience working on projects related to environmental justice or public health
• Existing connections or relationship with community leaders or organizations in the South Bay

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.
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