Job Description

This opportunity is part of the FUSE Corps Environmental Justice Fellowship Program.

Salary: $80,000

Deadlines: 8/26/22 – Priority Consideration Deadline / 9/7/22 -Final Application Deadline

Traditional burials (i.e., with embalming and a large casket) have a negative environmental impact and take up significant space in cities where land supply is limited. As Durham plans the future of its public cemeteries, it seeks to provide residents with burial options that are environmentally sustainable, affordable, space efficient, and culturally appropriate. The FUSE Executive Fellow will identify alternatives to traditional burial that provide equity, dignity, and choice to Durham residents.

Fellowship Dates: October 24, 2022 – October 23, 2023

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE Corps is a national nonprofit working to expand social and economic opportunities, particularly for communities that have been limited by a history of systemic and institutionalized racism. FUSE partners with local governments and communities to more effectively address pressing challenges by placing experienced professionals within city and county agencies. These FUSE Executive Fellows lead strategic projects designed to advance racial equity and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 250 projects in 40 governments across 20 states, impacting the lives of 25 million people.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and local stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward regional priorities. FUSE then conducts an individualized search for each project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the communities being served. They are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects by developing actionable roadmaps and monitoring progress to completion.

Executive Fellows are hired as FUSE employees and embedded in government agencies for at least one year of full-time work. Throughout their fellowships, they receive training, coaching, and professional support from FUSE to help achieve their project goals. FUSE Executive Fellows bring diverse perspectives and new approaches to their projects. They build strong relationships with diverse arrays of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Durham’s segregated past resulted in the creation of two public cemeteries: Maplewood (historically white with identified Confederate graves) and Beechwood (historically Black). Beechwood is running out of space; with limited availability for traditional burials. Given the history of segregation and the generations of families that are already buried in Beechwood, many Black Durham residents are hesitant to transition to Maplewood. This could force Black residents to use private cemeteries instead, which would cost more than three times what white residents pay at the public Maplewood.

At the same time, traditional burials are expensive, take up a lot of space to the exclusion of other uses, and have a negative impact on the environment. According to the Green Burial Council, traditional burials in the United States annually use 4.3M gallons of embalming fluid (including known carcinogens); 20M feet of hardwood boards; 1.6M tons of concrete; 17,000 tons of copper and bronze; and 64,500 tons of steel. In addition, traditional burial methods leach lead and other materials into the ground or nearby water sources. Climate change also exacerbates the environmental impact of cemeteries, as flooding and erosion can disinter coffins, inflicting physical, environmental, and emotional damage on the surrounding area.

The City of Durham will partner with FUSE Corps to identify alternatives to traditional burial to curb environmental impacts and support Beechwood’s enriching legacy. The Executive Fellow will investigate various options, with an emphasis on practices that are environmentally sustainable, affordable, and space efficient. Next the Executive Fellow will explore which options are feasible for the City of Durham, given the city’s resources, constraints, and cultural responses to burial options. This may include piloting education or public affairs programs with funeral homes, faith communities, and community members to ensure that the final choice(s) are responsive to residents’ preferences and needs. In addition, the Executive Fellow will make an action plan and conduct long-term analyses to make the chosen alternative(s) a reality. This work will ensure that all members of the Durham community are able to access affordable, dignified burial services that are culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.

PROJECT SUMMARY & POTENTIAL DELIVERABLES

The following provides a general overview of the proposed fellowship project. This project summary and the potential deliverables will be collaboratively revisited by the host agency, the fellow, and FUSE staff during the first few months of the fellowship.

Starting in October 2022, the FUSE Executive Fellow will build relationships with stakeholders across Durham, including the city’s General Services Department, Black-owned funeral homes, historically Black faith communities (taking steps to ensure Muslim, Jewish, non-Abrahamic faiths, and secular communities are included), community-based organizations (including environmental justice organizations), Durham residents and visitors. During this time, the Executive Fellow will build an understanding of the assets, opportunities, legalities and other constraints that cemetery- and burial-management professionals face in serving residents, as well as preferences and aspirations that residents have for burials and other alternatives in their community. This may include engagement conversations to determine which burial and funeral approaches meet community needs and what forms of communication or education help community members make sustainable burial choices. At the same time, the Executive Fellow will conduct extensive research on best practices, innovations, and new approaches that other cities and states have adopted regarding green cemetery management and environmentally sustainable, affordable burial practices.

Next, the Executive Fellow will identify which models are appropriate for Durham’s context and develop the plans necessary to implement these new options. This analytical support will include environmental impact analysis, climate change resilience analysis, funding and resource plans, and legislation and regulation adaptation plans.

Finally, the Executive Fellow will analyze the long-term implications of the chosen approach(es). This could include analysis of the additional capacity of the cemetery, the anticipated environmental progress of the new model(s), and cost-benefit analysis of the new practice(s). By October 2023, the Executive Fellow will have accomplished the following:

• Conduct a Stakeholder Listening Tour – Develop relationships with stakeholders in Durham city government, funeral homes, faith communities, community-based organizations and members of the public to understand the resources, constraints, and cultural factors affecting this work; the listening tour should also include a review of approaches that cities similar to Durham have successfully adopted in regards to ‘green burials’
• Landscape Analysis – Further develop and analyze which recommendations make sense for Durham; examine the economic and environmental impact of burial options, as well as the cultural relevance of each option; conduct community engagement and education pilots to help residents learn about alternatives and to gauge community receptivity to and build buy-in for these new choices
• Recommendations for Action – Identify the most feasible option(s) in collaboration with the City of Durham; develop an action plan to pursue the preferred option(s) within an appropriate timeline, the action plan should include resource planning and the legislative or regulatory changes necessary to implement the preferred option(s).
• Long-Term Impact Analysis – Analyze the long-term implications of pursuing the preferred course of action, including a cost-benefit analysis and environmental analysis, as well as long-term recommendations for continued community engagement

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Executive Sponsor – Bertha Johnson, Deputy City Manager; City Manager’s Office
• Project Supervisor – Jina Propst, Director of General Services; General Services Department

QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the qualifications listed below, a background in behavioral science, community engagement, and project management is strongly preferred for this project. Connection to Durham and the Durham community are important.

Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.

• Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
• Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to difficult challenges.
• Responds quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies and other processes.
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing, and excels in both active listening and conversing.
• Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies in order to support more effective decision making.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, and particularly including community-based relationships.
• Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
• Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy, while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE Corps is an equal opportunity employer with core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Sustainability. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 80,000 - 100,000.

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