CivicSpark - AmeriCorps Program

I am thrilled to share that I’ve been serving as a CivicSpark - AmeriCorps Program fellow with the City of Irvine for the past 11 months! Over the past year, I have had the incredible opportunity to lead and contribute to various impactful projects, including implementing and managing Irvine’s organic waste recycling program and ensuring full compliance for residents and businesses. On the climate policy front, I revised the Single-Use Plastic Reduction Ordinance, played a key role in developing a plastic alternatives guide, and advanced polystyrene reduction efforts. To say I have learned a lot this year is an understatement. I am deeply grateful for the mentorship, friendships, and valuable experiences I've gained from the City of Irvine and CivicSpark, as well as the extensive connections I've built in the sustainability sector. I am honored to continue my journey with the City of Irvine for a second year as a Climate Policy Coordinator and can’t wait to see what we achieve next!

Hi all, I am so excited to share a few of my highlights and accomplishments from the past 8 months serving as a CivicSpark - AmeriCorps Program Fellow within the Strategic Planning and Sustainability Office (SPSO) at the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works (PW). This experience has been truly invaluable as I have worked to build capacity for the Sustainability team at PW and grown professionally.   During my Fellowship, I:   • Assisted with the implementation of LA County's Climate Action Plan for 2045, which contains 10 strategies, 25 measures, and 95 actions set to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.   • Developed a scope of work and feasibility study for potential solar panel installation at William J. Fox Airfield as part of PW's Renewable Energy Master Plan for all PW facilities to be net-zero energy by 2030.   • Coordinated and facilitated Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Envision workshops, quarterly meetings, focus groups, and trainings to ensure that sustainability is baked into PW projects at every stage, from planning and design to construction and operations.   • Supported the PW Sustainability Council and coordinated a tour of a Pure Water SoCal Water Reclamation Facility.   • Worked at the largest Public Works agency in the nation, gaining valuable insight into public infrastructure projects at the local government level.   Many thanks to Shirley Cheng, P.E., ENV SP, Crystal Franco, Stephanie Tong, PE, TJ Moon, my co-fellow Kevin Truong, and the rest of the SPSO team for their unending mentorship and support! And a big thank you to Daniel Keim and the CivicSpark Staff for their guidance throughout my term. Such a wonderful experience it has been!

Last week, I completed my 2023-24 CivicSpark - AmeriCorps Program Fellowship! I am extremely proud of all the work I was able to accomplish with the CA State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) at their Office of Research, Planning, and Performance’s Climate and Conservation Unit.  While serving, I had the opportunity to gain first hand insight within the SWRCB’s climate action programs, working on projects related to racial equity, outreach, sustainability, and environmental justice. I enjoyed the formal professional growth training and community service coordinated by the CivicSpark Program, as well as skill-building training courses such as ArcGIS Pro and advanced Excel at the SWRCB. This service year has prepared me for future career opportunities through project management, qualitative data analysis, research, and professional writing! Looking back, my service has given me such an incredible understanding of water policy and environmental science, further cementing my passion for social justice and community service. Environmental policy plays a vital role in empowering one’s own community and I am honored to have played a part in that work at the SWRCB. It was a wonderful experience and I wanted to give a huge shout out to my Site Mentor, Ava Scally, Climate Lead Christopher Hyun, as well as my wonderful team for all of the insight and mentorship! I also want to give a shout out to the Hi-Desert Water District Team, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with throughout my service year. They all have played an integral role in making my experience special throughout and I could not be more grateful! 

I have had an amazing 8 months with the City of Grand Junction working on sustainability initiatives with Jenny Nitzky and City staff in recycling, water conservation, planning, and other areas. This fellowship opportunity was managed by CivicSpark - AmeriCorps Program and couldn't be happier with my experience. I have learned a tremendous amount about working in local government, which has inspired me to look for sustainability work in the public sector in the next chapter of my career. The projects that centered community engagement and community science was a highlight of my time at the City. I took on the responsibility of managing the City's Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign, a program launched by NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and administered by CAPA STRATEGIES, LLC. My favorite part was meeting all of the volunteers from the community and hearing about why they wanted to be involved in the study. Amazing things can be accomplished when passionate people come together! I am also very proud to have been part of the development of the City's Sustainability and Adaptation Plan that was adopted in July. This Plan took a lot of hard work and coordination among City staff. It would not have been nearly as relevant and actionable without the community's input during every phase of its development. I want to congratulate the City, and especially Jenny, for this amazing achievement! This Plan will set Grand Junction on a path to making everyone's way of life more sustainable and help protect the resources that are so precious in a desert ecosystem. I'm currently looking for my next opportunity! If you have any suggestions for places that are hiring and align with my interests, I would greatly appreciate your guidance. Thank you!