Senior Sustainability Specialist (Climate Action)

Are you passionate about sustainability, including climate action, energy efficiency, and decarbonization?

Do you want to lead a team of enthusiastic professionals and be part of developing and implementing programs to help San Mateo County communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their homes and businesses?

The County of San Mateo's Office of Sustainability (OOS) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Senior Sustainability Specialist (Climate Action). We want "sustainability champions" with experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are looking for candidates with excellent project management and communication skills to lead initiatives and empower our employees, community partners, and community members to take meaningful actions on sustainability. OOS is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages candidates from varied backgrounds to apply.

About OOS

Formed in July 2014 as a part of the County Manager’s Office, the Office of Sustainability strives to improve the sustainability of the County’s operations and the greater community through work in areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, resource conservation, active transportation, climate resiliency, affordable housing, and greenhouse gas emission reductions. OOS is committed to increasing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion through our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase equity in our programs. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting and hiring.

We know work isn't only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! The Office of Sustainability has a fun and supportive work environment that supports a work-life balance, including:

• Flexible, hybrid work schedule opportunities 
• Wellness classes and resources
• Generous benefits package
• Subsidy of up to $150 per month to cover the costs of public transit, vanpooling, carpooling, and bike and scooter share, or up to $480 per year for walking, biking, or carpooling to work 
• At least 20 hours of training provided annually

Job Responsibilities

The Senior Sustainability Specialist supports the Program Manager in leading the team to advance energy efficiency, energy management, decarbonization, renewable energy, battery storage, and electric vehicle adoption to achieve greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality goals. The selected candidate will drive progress by developing and managing a variety of climate action projects and coordinating with the funders of regional grant programs. The position includes collaboration with many different groups, agencies, and organizations throughout the county, including community leaders, small businesses, nonprofits, as well as city, county, school district, and special district staff.

The Senior Sustainability Specialist (Climate Action) will:

• Lead the Regionally Integrated Climate Action Suite (RICAPS) initiative to support San Mateo County cities in identifying countywide climate action goals and implementing coordinated initiatives to reduce emissions. Host a monthly working group meeting. Provide direction to and collaborate with technical assistance partners to establish strategy and update climate action planning tools. 
• Support sustainability and/or planning staff at the County and San Mateo County cities in accessing OOS programs and RICAPS tools; adopting “reach codes” for energy, electric vehicle charging, and water; and collaborating with each other to achieve climate action goals.
• Provide strategic input to Bay Area Regional Energy Network’s leadership team and program leads to ensure current and future programming supports San Mateo County in meeting carbon neutrality and equity goals. 
• Provide guidance for the San Mateo County Energy Watch program to assist municipalities, special districts, school districts, and “hard-to-reach” small businesses in accessing energy efficiency programs and financing. 
• Provide leadership for collaborations with other OOS programs, Peninsula Clean Energy, and other external partners to more comprehensively serve specific customers, especially municipalities, school districts, single-family residential, multi-family residential, and small businesses.
• Advance countywide and regional efforts to decarbonize existing single-family homes by leading and/or participating in pilots, working groups, and regional collaborations, and developing and supporting policies.
• Provide support for municipal purchasing of electric vehicles, and implementation of electric vehicle infrastructure at municipal facilities and in communities.

Qualifications

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have the skills necessary to:

• Develop and implement policy and programmatic strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Apply an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities to improve project design and implementation.
• Provide leadership and promote teamwork while planning and coordinating staff activities.
• Effectively frame and communicate complex concepts for different audiences, orally and in writing.
• Define difficult problem areas, research them, and provide valid alternatives and recommendations.
• Work effectively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 
• Incorporate the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a project or initiative. 
• Represent the work group and the department on boards, committees, and in community groups.
• Speak effectively, make public presentations, conduct outreach, training, and/or public education as necessary.
• Be comfortable in a fast-paced, people-focused environment.
• Prepare and edit comprehensive reports, letters, and other written materials.
• Track changes in and compliance with existing contracts, grants, laws, codes, and rules.

Note: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years of program coordination experience in the field of sustainability and/or resource conservation.

Compensation

• The salary for the Senior Sustainability Specialist (Climate Action) role has a range of $8,462 - $10,580 / Month.
• A competitive benefits package is associated with this position. For complete information regarding benefits please click here.

To Apply

• To learn more about the position and to apply online, please click "Apply on Company Website" below to visit our website. Applications are only accepted online.
• Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form, a resume, and a cover letter.
• A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
• FINAL FILING DATE:  March 8, 2022

EOE