Click Here to Return to the Community and Environmental Justice Career Sector Overview
Interviewee: Stephen Lester
Crystal Jennings: Could you share something about your background? What is your role with the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ)?
Stephen Lester: I graduated from Harvard School of Public Health and I have a degree in Toxicology. I’m the Science Director here at CHEJ. In my role, I review technical documents and help community leaders understand scientific data and how it can be used to help them achieve their goals, like shutting down a nearby plant.
CJ: Why did you choose to work at CHEJ?
SL: I came to this business because I had the good fortune (at least, I see it that way) of working at a landfill in upstate New York called Love Canal, which was once an industrial chemical dumpsite. It was eventually covered and a community was built around the site. The landfill contained 20,000 tons of toxic waste that slowly leaked out into the soil and groundwater and eventually into homes built around the landfill. The community organized there and they stood up to the government. After two years, 700 families were relocated from that neighborhood. I was hired to work with the state of New York to be a Science Advisor to the residents of that neighborhood and that experience is what got me involved in this kind of work and eventually, how I ended up working here at CHEJ.
CJ: What difference can graduates expect to make by going into the field of Environmental Justice? What difference can they make working with CHEJ?
SL: Graduates can make a difference in this field by working directly with problems in the street and with community based groups that have a need. By working with CHEJ, you work directly with people who have been directly impacted by chemical exposures and pollution. You have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these people by helping them address their contamination problems. For example, we are working with a community In Birmingham, AL where there are a couple of Coke facilities that are releasing heavy metals (like Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium and Chromium) and other chemicals. This neighborhood is across the street from the fence of one of these facilities. There are high levels of contaminants in the soil throughout this neighborhood. We’ve been working with the community to help them understand the testing done by EPA and the proposed cleanup plan. If you work in an Environmental Justice community, then you have the opportunity to help people who are on the front line addressing these problems and hopefully make a difference in their lives as they address how to properly cleanup these contaminated sites.
CJ: What would you say to students and young professionals interested in going into the Environmental Justice field today?
SL: This is an extremely excited area to work in. Students and young professionals would have opportunities to work with people who are directly impacted by pollution. You can certainly make a difference in their lives. I’ve been doing this work for thirty years and I don’t get bored because every situation is different, and every community is different. There’s certainly some similarities in terms of government response but having this knowledge makes it easier to advise people on how to move forward. It’s very rewarding and that’s the biggest reason to work in this sector.
CJ: What career opportunities do you see on the horizon? Any openings at CHEJ?
SL: We actually do have a couple of openings. There are openings for people who have experience in development or fundraising. We’re always raising money and looking to hire more people to work for our organization, so it’s certainly something to keep an eye on. A lot of organizations are looking to expand and hire people who are interested in the field of environmental justice.
CJ: What should students study? And are there particular credentials of relevance to employers?
SL: My background is in science so I have a bias for students who have a strong science background but it’s not a requirement. It’s helpful depending on the kind of work that one does. Having some practical experience is always very helpful so students – any opportunity to do an internship with an Environmental Justice organization or a non-profit gives them a leg up because then they will understand the issues that are involved in this kind of work. A degree in Environmental Policy or a social science could be helpful as well.
CJ: How does hands-on conservation experience, or experiential learning for students make a difference when hiring?
SL: Having an internship experience is very, very helpful. Working as an intern in the non-profit sector in general is a good idea. Sometimes working with congressional people gives you an understanding of how government works and that’s always valuable, especially when working with communities because you’re always having to address government agencies and political folk. You’re always trying to find ways to involve them and get them to support what you’re doing. So, part of it is just getting some practical experience in the world and learning how decision making happens. School is great for educating folks on information and on technical matters but learning to apply that knowledge in the real world is key.
CJ: How might certification as NWF EcoLeaders make a difference to employers?
CJ: Overall, what would you recommend to graduates who want to make a difference for community sustainability?
SL: Make a commitment to this type of work for a certain period of time. As I understand it, working for a non-profit sector can get you some forgiveness for student loans. It’s a great combination. Follow your passion and your heart into this type of work. It’s a growing sector (sustainability) and finding better ways to run our planet is an area of fast growth and on the cutting edge of what a lot of people are looking to do. So I think that there are enormous opportunities for people who are committed and who are excited about this kind of work.
***
Click Here to Return to the Community and Environmental Justice Career Sector Overview
Interviewee: Stephen Lester
Science Director
Center for Health, Environment and Justice
Interviewer: Crystal Jennings, NWF
Crystal Jennings: Could you share something about your background? What is your role with the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ)?
Stephen Lester: I graduated from Harvard School of Public Health and I have a degree in Toxicology. I’m the Science Director here at CHEJ. In my role, I review technical documents and help community leaders understand scientific data and how it can be used to help them achieve their goals, like shutting down a nearby plant.
CJ: Why did you choose to work at CHEJ?
SL: I came to this business because I had the good fortune (at least, I see it that way) of working at a landfill in upstate New York called Love Canal, which was once an industrial chemical dumpsite. It was eventually covered and a community was built around the site. The landfill contained 20,000 tons of toxic waste that slowly leaked out into the soil and groundwater and eventually into homes built around the landfill. The community organized there and they stood up to the government. After two years, 700 families were relocated from that neighborhood. I was hired to work with the state of New York to be a Science Advisor to the residents of that neighborhood and that experience is what got me involved in this kind of work and eventually, how I ended up working here at CHEJ.
CJ: What difference can graduates expect to make by going into the field of Environmental Justice? What difference can they make working with CHEJ?
SL: Graduates can make a difference in this field by working directly with problems in the street and with community based groups that have a need. By working with CHEJ, you work directly with people who have been directly impacted by chemical exposures and pollution. You have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these people by helping them address their contamination problems. For example, we are working with a community In Birmingham, AL where there are a couple of Coke facilities that are releasing heavy metals (like Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium and Chromium) and other chemicals. This neighborhood is across the street from the fence of one of these facilities. There are high levels of contaminants in the soil throughout this neighborhood. We’ve been working with the community to help them understand the testing done by EPA and the proposed cleanup plan. If you work in an Environmental Justice community, then you have the opportunity to help people who are on the front line addressing these problems and hopefully make a difference in their lives as they address how to properly cleanup these contaminated sites.
CJ: What would you say to students and young professionals interested in going into the Environmental Justice field today?
SL: This is an extremely excited area to work in. Students and young professionals would have opportunities to work with people who are directly impacted by pollution. You can certainly make a difference in their lives. I’ve been doing this work for thirty years and I don’t get bored because every situation is different, and every community is different. There’s certainly some similarities in terms of government response but having this knowledge makes it easier to advise people on how to move forward. It’s very rewarding and that’s the biggest reason to work in this sector.
CJ: What career opportunities do you see on the horizon? Any openings at CHEJ?
SL: We actually do have a couple of openings. There are openings for people who have experience in development or fundraising. We’re always raising money and looking to hire more people to work for our organization, so it’s certainly something to keep an eye on. A lot of organizations are looking to expand and hire people who are interested in the field of environmental justice.
CJ: What should students study? And are there particular credentials of relevance to employers?
SL: My background is in science so I have a bias for students who have a strong science background but it’s not a requirement. It’s helpful depending on the kind of work that one does. Having some practical experience is always very helpful so students – any opportunity to do an internship with an Environmental Justice organization or a non-profit gives them a leg up because then they will understand the issues that are involved in this kind of work. A degree in Environmental Policy or a social science could be helpful as well.
CJ: How does hands-on conservation experience, or experiential learning for students make a difference when hiring?
SL: Having an internship experience is very, very helpful. Working as an intern in the non-profit sector in general is a good idea. Sometimes working with congressional people gives you an understanding of how government works and that’s always valuable, especially when working with communities because you’re always having to address government agencies and political folk. You’re always trying to find ways to involve them and get them to support what you’re doing. So, part of it is just getting some practical experience in the world and learning how decision making happens. School is great for educating folks on information and on technical matters but learning to apply that knowledge in the real world is key.
CJ: How might certification as NWF EcoLeaders make a difference to employers?
SL: The more experience students and young professionals have through the EcoLeaders program, the more they will be able to develop their interests and passion for this kind of work. Passion and interest is what potential employers will see when they’re in an interview or reviewing a resume.
CJ: Overall, what would you recommend to graduates who want to make a difference for community sustainability?
SL: Make a commitment to this type of work for a certain period of time. As I understand it, working for a non-profit sector can get you some forgiveness for student loans. It’s a great combination. Follow your passion and your heart into this type of work. It’s a growing sector (sustainability) and finding better ways to run our planet is an area of fast growth and on the cutting edge of what a lot of people are looking to do. So I think that there are enormous opportunities for people who are committed and who are excited about this kind of work.
***
Click Here to Return to the Community and Environmental Justice Career Sector Overview
Type
Interviews
Sector
Community & Environmental Justice
Category Career Center Resources
Project Feedback