By Alma Galvan and Lisa LaRocque

An environmental center is attempting to do more community outreach and advertises a position for a coordinator. One of the candidates that applied has just graduated from the state university with a BS in environmental education, but has little work experience. Another candidate has been a successful organizer for women’s issues for the past ten years in the region. This candidate didn’t finish high school, has a dynamic personality, but has difficulty with writing. Who should be hired?

Discussion questions:

1. How will the organization’s motivations for doing community outreach influence the hiring criteria?
2. What is the organizational culture in terms of respecting a broad range of skills and experiences when looking for staff? What are the areas of skill development that an organization invests in for its staff?
3. How will the selection influence the community’s perceptions of the organization and their receptivity to the organization?
4. Will the success of the community outreach be measured in terms of the organization’s or the community’s needs being met? What if they are not the same?

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