Community Climate & Environmental Justice Fellowship with Rise South City, Summer 2026

Overview

Creating local transformation, from the community, with the community and for the community!

Organizational Mission

Rise South City  is a grassroots, community-based organization in South San Francisco committed to advancing community and climate resilience, environmental justice, and economic equity. Our work centers the voices and leadership of frontline, multilingual, and diverse communities that are often most impacted by environmental and social inequities.

We create spaces for dialogue with residents about climate change, environmental health, and social equity in order to better understand the interconnected systems that shape local challenges. Through these conversations, we collaborate with community members to identify priorities and develop locally driven solutions that support transformational change.

Rise South City works to promote community resilience, economic equity, and climate stability through initiatives focused on:

• Healthy air quality
• Expanding the urban tree canopy
• Clean community energy
• Efficient, affordable, and durable housing
• Public transportation and mobility
• Local ecosystem restoration

Shared leadership and community participation are central to our approach. We believe that when residents help guide decision-making, communities can develop innovative and lasting solutions to the climate and social crises we face today. Frontline communities must be at the forefront of shaping new economies and building a climate-adaptive society rooted in fairness, equity, and ecological values.

Summer Fellowship – Community Climate & Environmental Justice

About the Fellowship

The Rise South City Summer Fellowship provides college students with hands-on experience working in a grassroots, community-driven nonprofit organization focused on climate resilience and environmental justice.

The Summer Fellow will play an important role in helping strengthen organizational capacity, support community outreach and communications, and contribute to ongoing environmental projects. Areas of focus may be adapted based on the fellow's interests, academic background, and skills.

We are looking for students who are passionate about social justice, environmental equity, and community-based solutions, and who are interested in supporting programs that work directly with diverse and multilingual residents.

What Students Will Learn

Through this fellowship, students will work alongside experienced staff and community leaders while gaining practical experience in grassroots climate action and nonprofit operations.

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Learn how community-based environmental and climate justice initiatives operate on the ground.
• Engage directly with multilingual and culturally diverse communities in South San Francisco.
• Build meaningful relationships with residents, volunteers, and community partners.
• Develop oral and written communication skills through outreach, education, and public engagement.
• Understand how environmental issues such as air quality, urban heat, tree canopy, and climate adaptation affect local communities.
• Support programs that serve underrepresented communities and learn about their experiences and environmental concerns.
• Help translate community knowledge and concerns into practical solutions and educational tools.

We are also open to working with fellows to develop individual projects aligned with their academic interests and career goals.

Fellowship Responsibilities

Organizational Support

• Assist with organizational operations including logistics and short- and long-term planning.
• Develop onboarding materials and documentation for future interns and volunteers (organizational background, useful resources, contacts, etc.).
• Help update and maintain the Rise South City website with current project information.
• Maintain a volunteer database for tree planting and restoration activities.
• Assist with coordinating volunteer events.
• Support scheduling, planning, facilitation, and outreach tracking for events related to the Urban Tree Canopy Project, Air Monitoring initiatives, Colma Creek Collective, and the Promotores Program.

Community Outreach and Communications

• Assist in creating and implementing social media outreach strategies.
• Help develop strategies to keep residents connected and informed, particularly during climate-related events and civic engagement opportunities.
• Support the development of community newsletters.
• Compile photos, stories, and other media for use on the website, newsletters, and social media platforms.

Support for Current Projects

• Upload monthly air quality data summaries to the Rise South City website.
• Support the Urban Tree Canopy Project by collecting baseline data on tree health to enable long-term monitoring of newly planted trees in South San Francisco.
• Assist with community air quality monitoring workshops.
• Create educational materials and infographics related to air quality and public health.
• Support Colma Creek restoration and climate adaptation efforts.
• Coordinate with volunteer groups, city staff, and community members to support the planting of free trees.
• Assist in planning community field trips, including research, flyer development, outreach, and event support.

Potential Future Project Opportunities

Depending on interests and background, fellows may also:

• Analyze and visualize air quality data to help communicate trends and insights to the public.
• Support community education on climate science topics including sea level rise, air quality, urban tree canopy coverage, and public health.
• Assist with outreach and education related to the Colma Creek and San Bruno Creek climate adaptation projects.
• Contribute to the development and research for the Promotores environmental health curriculum.
• Assist in developing a fundraising portfolio by researching potential private and philanthropic funding opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for environmental justice, climate resilience, and community-centered solutions.
• Interest in working with underrepresented communities and communities of color to advance environmental health and equity.
• Interest or experience working with community-based organizations, grassroots movements, or public service initiatives.
• Commitment to service and supporting community well-being.
• Basic understanding or academic interest in environmental science, sustainability, climate change, or public health.
• Experience or interest in communications, community outreach, or environmental education.
• Spanish and English language skills strongly encouraged (Spanish fluency preferred but not required) to help engage with South San Francisco's diverse community.
• Ability to analyze datasets, synthesize insights, and communicate information clearly, including through charts, visuals, or infographics (a plus but not required).

This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in grassroots climate action while working directly with community members, volunteers, and local partners to support environmental justice and climate resilience in South San Francisco.