Communications Manager-Education & Outreach, CA

Role Overview

The California Education & Outreach Manager is a leadership role responsible for advancing CAA’s goals within the state of California to ensure the successful execution of the California EPR program, while aligning CAA’s national Education & Outreach strategy. This role will work closely with the California Communications Manager and manage a small team of education and outreach specialists. The role will be accountable for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of California’s Education & Outreach program supporting SB 54 goals-turning policy and infrastructure into public understanding and measurable action.

This role is responsible for translating California’s recycling, composting, and reuse/refill requirements into public understanding and action. The role oversees a strategic, comprehensive approach that builds awareness, earns trust, and supports measurable behavior change through consistent, accessible, and culturally responsive guidance delivered statewide and adapted locally.

The Education & Outreach Manager will serve as a key representative and spokesperson at a state level for CAA, while ensuring national harmonization, and must foster and maintain strong relationships to advance the organization’s goals and initiatives. This role reports to the California Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

E&O Strategy & Program Leadership

• Own California’s E&O strategy and delivery plan aligned to SB 54 education and outreach requirements (reducing contamination, increasing participation, supporting proper behaviors, and enabling statewide/local outreach).
• Serve as the primary internal lead for the development and implementation of statewide education & outreach campaigns, working in close collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Partner closely with the national Education & Outreach team to pilot, implement, and align best practices; leverage national frameworks, tools, and resources; and apply shared measurement approaches to evaluate performance and inform continuous improvement, while meeting California-specific needs.
• Balance statewide message harmonization with local flexibility, ensuring foundational guidance is consistent while enabling localization for community needs.
• Ensure E&O complements existing jurisdiction education programs while aligning behavioral outcomes and statewide guidance.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of E&O specialists; set priorities, clarify responsibilities, and establish operating rhythms for planning, delivery, and reporting.
• Build a performance culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement aligned with CAA values.

Interest-holder Coordination & Local Enablement

• Partner closely with internal teams that lead interest-holder engagement to ensure messaging, materials, and outreach efforts support interest-holder needs and implementation goals.
• Oversee statewide E&O campaigns and partner enablement to drive participation in the statewide recycling program.
• Ensure campaigns and materials are designed to be culturally responsive and accessible, including language considerations aligned to local demographics.
• In collaboration with team of specialists, design and implement education and outreach programs focused on increasing participation and decreasing contamination among single-family, multi-family, and commercial generators.
• In collaboration with team of specialists, coordinate education and outreach with K-12 schools and higher education institutions statewide.

Measurement & Optimization

• Own an outcome-focused measurement framework that evaluates E&O effectiveness across knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and tracks leading and definitive indicators over time.
• Establish continuous feedback loops with interest-holders to refine strategy and improve performance during rollout.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies

• Experience leading education/outreach, behavior change, public engagement, or community-based programs, including people management and cross-functional delivery.
• Experience designing programs that serve diverse audiences and require culturally responsive and accessible materials.
• Experience working in the California solid waste / recycling / composting ecosystem.
• Project management experience and highly organized.
• Interest-holder engagement, negotiating, convening, and facilitation skills.
• Awareness and prior experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Strong presentation skills and comfort engaging with leaders in government, business, and civil society.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree andminimum5+ years of experience in education and outreach, ideally working in an agency or in-house role responsible for outreach to a broad interest-holder audience. 
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience building, developing, and managing a team.
• Project management experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft office. 
• Experience with social media and email marketing strategies/platforms preferred.
• Working knowledge of the state legislative and regulatory process and interest-holders.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Driver's License with clean driving history.

Compensation & Other Information

• Location: Fully Remote, must reside in California.
• Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and experience.
• Reports To: California Executive Director 

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org.

 Sustainability, recycling, Operations, Marketing