Will the contracted community experts be compensated?

Yes, community experts will be compensated for their time and expertise. The total compensation amount is $5,000 for this round of contracts. The contracted community experts will be compensated on a per task basis and will receive their payment every time they complete their task.[1] The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the compensation per task and planned work schedule. Note that community experts are not working for seven months straight. For example, during the series of community meetings between months three and four, community experts are not expected to perform any work.

Table 1: Contract, task, and compensation for fiscal year 2022-2023.

What are the requirements to apply to become a contracted community expert? And when is the application deadline?

Please note that at this moment, we only have materials translated in English and Spanish. However, any interested applicant may submit their application in the language they feel most comfortable.

To be considered to become a contracted community expert with CARB, interested applicants must meet State contracting requirements, by submitting the following: 1) An application form, 2) statement of interest, and 3) resume (About Me). Based on feedback received at the Introductory Workshop, CARB has prepared a guidance template for a resume (About Me) to assist interested applicants.

In addition, applicants must be a California resident or from a California Tribal Government and must have valid authorization to work in the US.

Furthermore, applicants cannot be a part of an existing CARB advisory committee (i.e., Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, Research Screening Committee, AB 617 Consultation Group, and Scientific Review Panel on Toxic Air Contaminants).

Applications packets must be submitted by March 31, 2023 by 5 P.M. pacific standard time to communityengagement@arb.ca.gov with the subject title “CE Application.”

What are the expected time commitments for contracted community experts? And when is the contract expected to begin?

Contracted community experts are anticipated to work a total of 40 hours for the entire duration of the contract. Work hours per month will vary depending on the task (see question # 1).

We expect to enter into a contract agreement and begin work with the community experts by the summer of 2023.

What will the contracted Community Experts be required to do?

As part of this contract, contracted community experts will be required to attend four virtual meetings. They will also be required to review and provide written and verbal recommendations on the Draft and Revised Community Engagement Model (see table in question #1). The Draft and Revised Community Engagement Model, materials, and meetings will be provided in English and Spanish, we will also accommodate other languages upon request. More details about each task can be found in the Scope of Work.

Are community experts required to travel as part of this contract?

Contracted community experts are not required to travel as meetings with community experts will be online. Online meetings were selected as the forum to meet with community experts because the community experts will be from geographically diverse locations from across the State.

How many Community Experts will CARB contract with for this effort?

CARB has funding for approximately 15 community experts for $5,000 each for this round of contracts.

How will you select the Community Experts?

As directed by the State contracting process, CARB staff has developed a scoring process with detailed scoring criteria (posted on webpage). This will be used to guide staff in selecting the most qualified community experts for this effort. We suggest you thoroughly review the eligibility requirements and expectations to contract with CARB before applying (see question #2).

How this contract compare with the compensation CARB pays community experts from existing CARB committees?

CARB compensates community experts based on stipends from existing CARB committees or advisory groups. This compensation can vary, as some advisory members are compensated with per meeting payments ranging up to $500, as is in the case of the AB 32 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee.

[1] Per the State Contract Process it could take CARB up to 45 days to issue a payment.